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

Yesterday afternoon, evening, night, I drove over to the other side of Melbourne and back.
During my trip (which involved some of the inner burbs) mainly on major roads an freeways, I noticed fifteen cyclists. I took notes.
Of those fifteen cyclists:
- all wore dark (mostly black) clothing
- one was in lycra (Brave man. It was cold.)
- two wore hi-viz yellow flack jackets. (An asian girl and the lycra clad man.)
- one was cycling up tram tracks
- one had no lights (it was quite a dark night. Didn't see him until I was almost on to him.)
- one tried to jump the lights and was nearly cleaned up bt a car turning on a green arrow

I must admit they were either brave or silly. It was a cold, dark night.

Originally Posted by weakestlink

I may have lost touch as well. Tonight a person who would clearly not see bike riders either did not stop when my kids were on a pedestrian crossing. The dent in his car is big and I did offer to come to the police station to explain where and how his car was damaged by me on the pedestrian crossing. I am a little tolerant of mistakes. No acceptance of deliberate selfish people whose time is more important than road rule or people life. I might be a grumpy old sod now Poor mug was looking at both me and the kids before he pushed though us.

Kids using our roads as do bikes, motor bikes, slow drivers...... are you really in that much of a hurry.

Yeh... no acceptance of deliberately selfish people, kill em all even though there was no injury as he was 'looking at both me and the kids', he should be smashed with a knee if he can't accept his car being smashed.

OR

Wow, I get grumpy too when I see that others aren't as careful around my kids, no telling what I'd do if someone's "deliberate" action injured my little girl or boy, I've considered this possibility a few times and just resolve that worrying won't prevent it, so try and teach them as best as I can to be vigilant around roads and car parks. I also teach my son who's older, not to break his sisters things or hit her if their games don't go his way or she isn't playing by the rules.

As for causing damage to property or kneeing someone's head for what 'could have' been well some of us as protective dads would draw the line there, and that's probably a good thing, as 'taking it to the next level' in front of the children sets a poor example. Furthermore, the law may and often does tend to take a dim view of those that resort to violence to prove a point especially when the response is disproportionate to the provocation.

Now before you come swinging at me, I'm commenting on the microscopic detail that you wrote describing your provocation, and without a rational assessment of the WHOLE event (i.e. time of day, other traffic, the type of pedestrian crossing (Zebra you mentioned next post I think), if you & kids waited for a gap, had traffic signals in your favour, the age and experience of the driver, how far the car was from the crossing when you stepped onto it, speed of car, etc..etc..and etc..) and also not hearing the story from the allegedly belligerent mad in a rush kid killer of driver. I'm just expressing my opinion on causing property damage or worse causing injury by forcing the driver to react, as well as threatening physical violence on top of property damage if someone chose to 'speak' their mind in defence of their position, or even stop to apologise for allegedly causing fear.

The discussions on this topic would be better left to calm and rational thought and finding solutions as opposed to justifying violence and property damage, this could work against you if it was to become widespread (if your details are accurate, and as simple as you put it, there is every chance the police may be following up on this event in the interest of the owner of the damaged vehicle).

I'm probably like you when it comes to protecting our families if required - not one to take crap when I think I'm in the right (or know I am), but I've learnt to control my aggression as the outcome is not always what I've planned (when it comes to blows someone's gonna get hurt or die) and the kids don't need to be witness to these situations...road rage laws are tough for a reason.

If you'd given the plate details to the police, and explained your fright that the kids were in danger (remembering that no one was hurt), they'd be on your side and throw the book at this guy, likely. But now, I'm not so sure...depends what the driver tells them.

Just my take on it. If you disagree then carry on your way, but pick your victims, I've learnt not all opponents/adversaries are as they appear and not so easily intimidated. Have also heard accounts where they wait and take an opportunity of revenge when they have the element of surprise or anonymity...where the saying 'karma's a bitch' probably came from.

But I'm glad your kids are safe and unhurt, they've also learnt (without consequence) that they still need to watch for cars when crossing in the safest spot, like when you have the green man to walk at the lights, but turning traffic can and does still cut your path, check for eye contact and NEVER assume all drivers will see you or give you as much room as you would like. Hopefully they don't go around smashing cars and bikes with their scooter just because Dad did

Let us know if the police follow up and how they react to your excuse for the damage.

Overall, I hope you've calmed down, and I'm no Gandhi mate, I think I understand how you would have felt, so I'm not making light of it, just going on the bit you've written and the potential justification of smashing up people and property if we don't like people's actions.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

If you'd given the plate details to the police,

Can't do that. No registration plates.

Oh, sorry, you can. It was a car, not a bicycle.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Can't do that. No registration plates.

Oh, sorry, you can. It was a car, not a bicycle.

But!...... Oh, I see what you did there...

There is a two way narrow road with double line almost the entire 18 km from Kingston to Lower Sandy Bay, Tasmania.
The road is windy and with many hills were people ride at speed of 15 kmh.
Legally drivers cannot overtake were is a double line and the cyclist do not make any effort to stop and let the traffic flow (Include buses).
If the drivers do not break the law and also risk an accident they have to follow the cyclist the 18 km at speeds between 15 and 30 kmh.
Not wonder why cyclist are not view with sympathy by some car, truck and bus drivers.
When I used to ride I never ride on that kind of roads, it is a matter of common sense and road manners

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I observed a 4WD last night turn into a side street. Slow, turn, brake, signal. I doubt he used the mirrors.

Oh yeah, my pet hate. Soooooo common a practice.

My pet peeve with people turning left in cars are those that move out to the right to do it. They must think they're driving a B double.

Of course, this is particularly bad when it's from a left turn only lane and I'm going straight ahead on the outside of them - on my bicycle - to bring this thread back to its subject matter.

Originally Posted by davidsonsm

My pet peeve with people turning left in cars are those that move out to the right to do it. They must think they're driving a B double.

Of course, this is particularly bad when it's from a left turn only lane and I'm going straight ahead on the outside of them - on my bicycle - to bring this thread back to its subject matter.

Ah, yes. I've seen many cyclists do that around corners, at speed, usually sweeping over to the wrong side of the road they are turning into.
Motor vehicles that do it are usually turning into driveways. Sometimes I want to perform the PIT maneuver on them but I refrain. Just to help them on. You understand.
I've been known to do that from time to time. Into the driveway. I always check the street is absolutely clear of all traffic before I do.