Thread: Motorcyclists and cyclists - splitting lanes and switching teams!

I am a cyclist, a motorbiker and a Disco driver and up here in Cairns I see it too.

AND IT FRUSTRATES THE HELL OUT OF ME!

I dont lane split any more and on my pushie I wait at the lights too, (its good training) but get so frustrated at the same items as you do as well.

up here we also have a lot of asian students and I am led to beleive that in those countries the road rules are different, they have right of way but they have not been told / dont know / understand that is not the case here. makes it extremly dangerous for them and us as well

Hay Ewe

And?

Half of everybody is below average intelligence too. All road user groups have their share of idiots.

If people are an accident waiting to happen, the accident will eventually happen to them. Just continue to set a good example, be careful, and don't rush things.

I commute regularly on a push bike in Sydney, probably much worse than Brisbane unfortunately. I think at least 50% of my ride now is on bike lanes or cycle paths (the only thing I actual like about Clover Moore) and have been doing this for 12 years.

I do lane split and jump to the head of traffic lights, but as I ride pretty much the same route each time I only do this when I know I will not hold up traffic behind because I will exit onto a bike lane or other point shortly thereafter.

As a cyclist and driver it frustrates me when a cyclist jumps a traffic line and then sits there at a slow pace holding traffic up, that is simply rude and promotes stupid behaviour from other road users.

I must say as a cyclist the amount of aggressive driver behaviour is sometime beyond belief. The mere fact you dare to be on the road sometimes annoys people and the number of times I have been almost run off the road at roundabouts etc is extraordinary.

Often I simply ask the driver at the next set of light (where I will invariable catch them within 30 seconds of them trying to kill me) if they would drive that way if I was there son, brother, husband etc. Generally this is met with blank stares but sometimes with people who threat to simply kill me at the next one, quite absurd.

Some cyclists are silly and some drivers are silly but I think most are reasonably sensible.

George.

If you want to have the best chance of staying in good health when riding a motorcycle around Sydney then you need to ride agressively as if everyone is out to get you. Agressively doesn't mean dangerous either it means that you do lane split at lights when the traffic has stopped so you can get to the front before the lights go green.

I personally have never ridden down emergency stopping lanes of freeways as I reckon that is extremely dangerous.

I always rode with my headlight on years before it became mandatory and I always had one of thse loud annoying exhausts fitted, but everyone heard me coming. Many drivers in city traffic drive like they are in a daze with their eyes closed, which is fine if your in another car as in general that means if they stuff up you get scratched paint and a couple of dents, on a bike it usually means serious injury or worse.

I reckon most drivers that get mad because your lane splitting is because they know they are stuck in traffic while you'll get to your distination in half the time. That really annoys most people I know more then anything else.

Funny isn't it, car drivers hate SUV/4x4 drivers and nearly everyone hates motorcyclists who in turn often hate cyclists.

Personally I have no favourites I just hate everyone equally ...

cheers,
Terry

I ride a road bike and when i drive to work over the westgate in vic there are some real dicks on bikes..
They take some real risks the trucks wont move for them its not good at this time of year..

Originally Posted by pfillery

Plus the usual riding 2 abreast, etc etc. Cyclists demand equal treatment by road users and yet some do not give that back. .

It is legal in WA for cyclists and motor-cyclists to ride two-abreast in a single lane. Check the road laws in your State,

Cheers Charlie

Originally Posted by TerryO

If you want to have the best chance of staying in good health when riding a motorcycle around Sydney then you need to ride agressively as if everyone is out to get you. Agressively doesn't mean dangerous either it means that you do lane split at lights when the traffic has stopped so you can get to the front before the lights go green.

cheers,
Terry

I agree. On those rare occasions that I rode in Sydney, I rode just as you have described. It was the only way I felt safe. By moving carefully to the front of the queue at the lights, getting away quickly meant that most of the time I was riding with a huge empty buffer zone around me.

Even on my Honda S90, it was possible to get the jump on cars when the lights turned green and they would only catch up if I was stopped at the next set of lights.

I didn't need to do anything dangerous or illegal and it felt a lot safer not having cars all around me.

I have to put up with the local Cycle club on it's morning run most days. It really annoys me that they ride 2,3 or even 4 abreast in a single carriageway. Whilst they are enjoying their morning cycle I am trying to get to the station to catch the train for work!!!
Now, when I approach them, I just sound my horn and pass leaving enough room for 2 cyclists. If they are riding in more room than that well it's just tough luck if I knock them off their bike.
I also get annoyed around Brisbane by the cyclists who insist on riding on the pavement even though it's crowded with people.
Even though I cycle myself I really hate the Lycra Louts.

Ivan