Thread: Cyclist aware drivers... are you one?

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Sorry, which provocative point was that?


Got to say, that reminds me of this photo which, it saddens me to say, is a common sight around Melbourne on a weekend.


Ignoring the mob in the background that are exhibiting a blatant disregard of the road laws, the rights of other road users and their personal safety.

What of the two in the foreground? Seemingly responsible cyclists. Generally speaking, they probably are.

But!

Do you notice the fellow on the left is almost in the centerer of the lane? A good two plus metres from the kerb. As a result of his poor judgment, his mate on the right must (in order to ride two abreast) ride close to the right edge of the lane.
Now, the motor vehicle coming up behind, in order to maintain the 1.5m distance when passing cyclists, may have to drive as far right in his lane as possible. I would have to. My vehicles aren't exactly small.
Whatever happened to the road rule "Keep Left"?

Yep, it's all about respect for other road users. In the most part, drivers have respect for pedestrians and pedestrians have respect for drovers. In the most part, cyclists exhibit little respect for anyone, including themselves.

But, just to be clear, my argument is not whether cyclists should be on the road or not. My argument is, if they are on the road, they should be displaying registration plates. If a cyclists bad behavior can be reported and acted upon, maybe they'll learn to be a little more respectful to others and themselves.

Mick - are you aware that the Beach Road on weekend mornings have been declared a Clearway in response to safety concerns for cyclists? Between St Kilda and Mordialloc. Obviously that relates to no parking rules on the inside lane. As you point out, some cyclists have interpreted this as free use of the inside lane. As a cyclist, it annoys me when trying to overtake slower riders, when they take up the bulk of the inside lane - as it can force me to ride in the outer lane (if safe to do so). I usually give them a hoy from behind, and most move over (as I fly by!).

The Clearway ruling doesn't exempt the riders from keeping as close to the curb as possible. However, there is often a lot of detritus by the curbside and it isn't pleasant or sustainable (or safe in some instances) to ride close to the curb. The Beach Road fortunately, has a marked/painted cycle lane most of the way to and from Mordy and beyond.

The same overtaking problem shouldn't really exist in a car. Because to over take cyclists, leaving appropriate passing distance, should involve straddling the two lanes with the car. The car couldn't do this, unless the outside lane was free and safe to move in to. Why not move the whole way out?

Mick - your apparent intolerant attitude is all too common on the roads. It causes cyclists to be defensive and on occasions aggresive (its our lives at stake - literally). It can be pretty scary out there, hence the emotion. Please be tolerant (or avoid the known cycling hot spots). I do my best to observe the road rules when using whatever mode of transport, and I do my best to be courteous, even when others are in the wrong. Because the alternate is unthinkable. I couldn't live with myself if I struck someone through impatiance or heat of the moment aggression.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

But, just to be clear, my argument is not whether cyclists should be on the road or not. My argument is, if they are on the road, they should be displaying registration plates. If a cyclists bad behavior can be reported and acted upon, maybe they'll learn to be a little more respectful to others and themselves.

I know it is easier to remain ignorant than it is to educate yourself so let's not get back into a discussion, once again, on rego for cyclists. This whole subject has been done to death and you're clearly not someone who wants to learn.

But, let's just look at a quick question of practicality: Where do you think these rego plates should be put of a bicycle? How big should they be?

Should pedestrians wear rego plates so they can be reported for crossing the road against red lights at pedestrian crossings?

Ah, but they are 'special' and rules apply to mere mortals,

Originally Posted by davidsonsm

Weirdly, I don't have a single problem in the world with that. There is little traffic, there's an empty lane for cars, the the cyclists are sticking to one lane.... In that environment, I wouldn't be doing more than 40km/h in a car either way.

If the cyclists coming toward you in the dip are in both lanes..... My high beams, driving lights and air horns would be getting a hell of a work out though ( I'd probably be "politely" suggesting they get the hell into the one lane too as loudly as I could through open windows). I think it's just the angle of the photo that make it look like there spread across all the lanes.

Move the same cyclists.... I mean window lickers ('cos they sure should be riding a bus licking the windows) out onto single lane 80+km/h roads or heavily peak hour traffic'd roads doing that .... And I'll have no sympathy at all when they complain about getting squished

Hey Reads90..... You don't have air horns They exist to warn of danger, I would use them extremely excessively where I thought window lickers were being moronic idiots. Mine are twin trumpet Fiamme horns, they sound like a freight train. Ripper bloody things for cyclists and chubby peroxide blonde middle aged women in bullbar clad 3ton **** tanks (um ... which other demographic that we all love have I missed ? I'm pretty sure I've managed to insult everyone with that one line It's not my fault they make themselves such targets though )...

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by sam_d

I know it is easier to remain ignorant than it is to educate yourself so let's not get back into a discussion, once again, on rego for cyclists. This whole subject has been done to death and you're clearly not someone who wants to learn.

But, let's just look at a quick question of practicality: Where do you think these rego plates should be put of a bicycle? How big should they be?

Should pedestrians wear rego plates so they can be reported for crossing the road against red lights at pedestrian crossings?

Should pigeons wear rego plates?

Originally Posted by davidsonsm

Should pigeons wear rego plates?

rego plates for bikes is utter stupidity. I don't buy it at all. they'll cut you in the event you come off... I already have 8 registered vehicles in the yard... Imagine if I had to register the kids and my bikes as well.

The most important part though.... Who the hell is going to enforce it. Cyclist haters can go on about it all they like... It just proves what clueless morons they are if they think it's even the slightest bit feasible.

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Weirdly, I don't have a single problem in the world with that. There is little traffic, there's an empty lane for cars, the the cyclists are sticking to one lane.... In that environment, I wouldn't be doing more than 40km/h in a car either way.

If the cyclists coming toward you in the dip are in both lanes..... My high beams, driving lights and air horns would be getting a hell of a work out though ( I'd probably be "politely" suggesting they get the hell into the one lane too as loudly as I could through open windows). I think it's just the angle of the photo that make it look like there spread across all the lanes.

Move the same cyclists.... I mean window lickers ('cos they sure should be riding a bus licking the windows) out onto single lane 80+km/h roads or heavily peak hour traffic'd roads doing that .... And I'll have no sympathy at all when they complain about getting squished

Hey Reads90..... You don't have air horns They exist to warn of danger, I would use them extremely excessively where I thought window lickers were being moronic idiots. Mine are twin trumpet Fiamme horns, they sound like a freight train. Ripper bloody things for cyclists and chubby peroxide blonde middle aged women in bullbar clad 3ton **** tanks (um ... which other demographic that we all love have I missed ? I'm pretty sure I've managed to insult everyone with that one line It's not my fault they make themselves such targets though )...

seeya,
Shane L.

Please refrain from using the air horns around cyclists. Those behind me on a bicycle wouldn't appreciate the spray eminating from my posterior. It's not a good look in lycra. Might have to buy some brown lycra, if that starts happening.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Sorry, which provocative point was that?


Got to say, that reminds me of this photo which, it saddens me to say, is a common sight around Melbourne on a weekend.


Ignoring the mob in the background that are exhibiting a blatant disregard of the road laws, the rights of other road users and their personal safety.

What of the two in the foreground? Seemingly responsible cyclists. Generally speaking, they probably are.

But!

Do you notice the fellow on the left is almost in the centre of the lane? A good two plus metres from the kerb. As a result of his poor judgement, his mate on the right must (in order to ride two abreast) ride close to the right edge of the lane.
Now, the motor vehicle coming up behind, in order to maintain the 1.5m distance when passing cyclists, may have to drive as far right in his lane as possible. I would have to. My vehicles aren't exactly small.
Whatever happened to the road rule "Keep Left"?

Yep, it's all about respect for other road users. In the most part, drivers have respect for pedestrians and pedestrians have respect for drovers. In the most part, cyclists exhibit little respect for anyone, including themselves.

But, just to be clear, my argument is not whether cyclists should be on the road or not. My argument is, if they are on the road, they should be displaying registration plates. If a cyclists bad behavior can be reported and acted upon, maybe they'll learn to be a little more respectful to others and themselves.

I too have no problems with this photo........everybody appears to be doing the right thing.

re: 1.5m I that the rule in Victoria? either way I think its only 1.5 meters is if you are in the same lane, in this case you are in a separate lane otherwise how to say two cars keep separated by 1.5m driving along the road.

re: the cyclist on the left riding where he is?? it appears he is riding where the left wheels of a car would roll along.......this is the cleanest part of the road by far, common sense to me.

I think you are being a tad over the top with this example......is this a pic you took or did you grab it off the net?