Thread: Cameras, cars and cyclists

Originally Posted by garrycol

We do not have any cycle paths in Canberra - they are recreational paths for the use of walkers, runners, dog walkers, cyclists - anyone who wants to use them though cyclists think they are only for cyclists and no one else should be using them.

The same happens here in Tasmania and they do not have any consideration for the hearing impaired people or just do not think about it

I think we can all find examples of truckies/bus drivers/motorists/cyclists/motorcyclists/pedestrians doing stupid things, acting like they own the road etc to support our argument whichever one it is that we want to make.

However none of those examples justify the argument that cyclists aren't allowed on roads or are justification for the idiots that want to throw things at cyclists, cyclists that want to abuse drivers etc.

I choose to ride on paths because I have access to a good quality cycle network that goes where I need to go and I'm not averse to increasing my ride to stay off certain roads. However, there are times I will choose to ride on roads because I perceive it as safer than mixing it with my fellow cyclists on the freeway bikes paths here in Perth.

I think there is a lot that cyclists can do to improve their image because in some there is a degree of arrogance that presents as thinking they own the road/path etc. However there is probably the same percentage of drivers/ pedestrians etc that need to do the same.

I can't speak for the rest of Australia but in the last 7 yrs or so that I have been back into riding I can say I think there has been a big improvement in behaviour all round with more people being cycle aware.

FWIW with pedestrians if I can pass safely without ringing my bell or calling out then I do. Experience suggests that in the majority of cases alerting a pedestrian is more likely to result in them stepping into your path and increasing the chances of an accident. Plus I got fed up with being abused for ringing my bell.

What is really needed in this debate is for people on all sides to take a deep breath and realise we're not going away so learn to live with us and to be more relaxed about it.