Cyclists.

**loneranger** · 12th February 2015, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by solmanic

The main reason why what has been suggested above won't work is that it will probably result in the cyclist getting killed or injured.

Waiting to turn at the head of a queue of stationery cars is safer than following that queue up to the intersection from the rear and waiting to turn right whilst the next lot of traffic approaches from the rear at speed. From experience I can tell you that a right hand turn signal will be pretty much invisible to a car approaching from behind at 60kph until it's too late for them to change lanes or stop. All they see is a red flashing tail light but often won't realise the cyclist is actually STOPPED.

Again I read comments here that suggest people think a cyclist pulling in front at lights to turn or whatever is some sort of conspiracy to deliberately obstruct motorists. Get over this! It's about doing what seems safest.

If I need to turn right, yes, I ride up to the head of the queue (as is permitted under Qld road rules) and make actual person to person eye contact with the car in front. Once they know what I'm trying to do, they usually let me cut across to the right hand side of the lane and I do my best to keep in the centre of the road so they can pass on my left if they're going straight ahead. Once again, it's about being courteous, but I will always put safety ahead of courtesy.

Where there is a particularly high volume of traffic or simply no space to wait in the centre of the intersection, I will ride across to the other side of the intersection when the light goes green and press the pedestrian crossing button. This option however results in ALL the traffic being stopped, so I use it as a LAST resort.

Perhaps the licensing issue that's also being discussed here can be addressed by making it compulsory for everyone to do 25hrs on a bicycle so they understand the flip side of every situation when they're driving. It does alter your perception of what is safe when you're on the least protected form of transport on the road. That way a bicycle class of license becomes a mandatory part of getting a car license.

That's why here in WA they've painted bike boxes at the front of some intersections because its recognised as safer for bikes to get to the front of the queue than sit in the traffic.

Just did a quick google search. They use bike boxes in other parts of the world too.

Seattle Department of Transportation: Bike Program: Bike Boxes

**bee utey** · 12th February 2015, 08:37 PM

Yeah, it's always better to eat in a place where the patrons reek of stale fag smoke and overloaded incontinence pads and fart poorly digested beef steaks in your face...

at least the cyclists have a robust healthy smell about them, like footballers or tennis players or joggers and whatnot.

Most times my cycling group stops at a caff, we sit outside and cool off in the breeze unlike the unhealthy looking specimens inside with the fug of recycled chip fat air.

Oh and the point of decent lycra kit is to avoid horrible knobbly seamy sweaty underpants, instead they have high tech antibacterial padding that doesn't rip ya skin off...while fading the outlines of ya dangly stuff.

**Slunnie** · 12th February 2015, 08:49 PM

62 pages and still the same rants!

Got to say though, sweaty sports people really don't rate on my radar. Its unwashed and stale people, some fat people and smokers that have that objectionable stench. Actually, all of these people should be forced to eat inside so the fresh air doesn't become polluted for those who enjoy alfresco dining.

**RHS58** · 12th February 2015, 09:15 PM

I'd be pretty certain that the coffee shops don't complain about the regular patronage they get from groups of cyclists every weekend morning.
Good for business, and they employ more youngsters.

I never begrudge what I might spend on my coffee and toasted sandwich at the half way mark of my weekend rides with fellow cyclists. Keeps me fit, I get to socialise away from work, and a kid has an opportunity of a job.

**d2dave** · 12th February 2015, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

62 pages and still the same rants!

I have just got back from two weeks holiday and I am amazed that it is still going, let alone how many more pages.

**loneranger** · 12th February 2015, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by d2dave

I have just got back from two weeks holiday and I am amazed that it is still going, let alone how many more pages.

You only have to read a couple of pages the rest are just repeats of the same arguments.

**Bytemrk** · 12th February 2015, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by d2dave

I have just got back from two weeks holiday and I am amazed that it is still going, let alone how many more pages.

Every day or two I wander in here with my mod hat on.... look around, shake my head and wander out again...

At least the combatants seem to have learned to be a little more civil as the pages have rolled on...

**jerryd** · 12th February 2015, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by RHS58

I'd be pretty certain that the coffee shops don't complain about the regular patronage they get from groups of cyclists every weekend morning.
Good for business, and they employ more youngsters.

I never begrudge what I might spend on my coffee and toasted sandwich at the half way mark of my weekend rides with fellow cyclists. Keeps me fit, I get to socialise away from work, and a kid has an opportunity of a job.

The Dayboro bakery is packed with cyclists on a weekend too , I've never heard them complain

Sitting in the hospital for hours today I stumbled across this

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1EdQhuA5a8&list=UUysehdjox9wKjd7Hr3QjuBw& index=4[/ame]

https://cycleofgiving.gofundraise.com.au/cms/thecause

Kind of puts a new meaning on cycling and cyclists

With $38,258.16 raised so far in donations, I might just put my hand in my pocket, make a donation and go and cheer on the riders

**RHS58** · 13th February 2015, 06:32 AM

Kallangur Lions Club run a ride every year around Easter. Raising $$$ for CCIA (Childrens Cancer Institiute Australia). 60 riders, 500km over 5 days. Very well organised, support crews and vehicles, police permits, etc. This is their 11th year. So far we've raised around $600,000 for the kids.

Many other organised rides raise big bucks for good causes.

So if you're out driving and held up by a bunch of cyclists, just consider that they may actually have been out there helping you and yours. Have a read of what's printed on their jerseys, might enlighten you about what they're riding for.
Rather than hurling abuse or rubbish at them, maybe chuck money?

**ramblingboy42** · 13th February 2015, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by RHS58

Kallangur Lions Club run a ride every year around Easter. Raising $$$ for CCIA (Childrens Cancer Institiute Australia). 60 riders, 500km over 5 days. Very well organised, support crews and vehicles, police permits, etc. This is their 11th year. So far we've raised around $600,000 for the kids.

Many other organised rides raise big bucks for good causes.

So if you're out driving and held up by a bunch of cyclists, just consider that they may actually have been out there helping you and yours. Have a read of what's printed on their jerseys, might enlighten you about what they're riding for.
Rather than hurling abuse or rubbish at them, maybe chuck money?

Awesome stuff ......

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