Thread: Cyclists.

It seems in London cyclists fear other cyclists more than cars.

What's the worst thing about cycling? Other cyclists | Life and style | The Guardian

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

From the posts in this thread the following analogies can be drawn.

Cyclists are slow moving and vulnerable. They need to realise this and get out of the way of motorised traffic. They hold up other traffic and will always be loathed for this.

Denmark and Holland have lots of cyclists and dedicated cycle roads. They are flat cool countries eminently suitable for cycling. The Danes are about the most tolerant well mannered people on this planet. Much of Australia is hot and hilly and is the road rage capital of the world. Not very suitable for cycling.

Wrong, Very wrong.

Cyclists have a legal right to use the road, it may be inconvenient to motorists (including myself) but in the same light as pedestrians and horses, as motorists we are obliged to share the road with them. Like it or not.

We motorists need to be vigilant and avoid the cyclists irrespective of how annoying or rediculous they may seem to be.

That is not to say that hilly cities like Sydney or to some extent Brisbane are not really suited to bicycles. (Melbourne has only one hill at Heidleburg! )

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

...

Cyclists are slow moving and vulnerable. They need to realise this and get out of the way of motorised traffic. ....

Does the same apply to pedestrians Brian?

I find the attitudes on here appalling every time one of these threads come up. Especially given the increasing number of cyclist deaths like the one i posted a couple of pages back.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Talk about getting up on your high horse.

My point was that motorists are legally obliged to avoid slow moving vehicles taking up a lane, so from the motorists perspective there should be no difference between having to avoid a slow moving vehicle or having to avoid a group of cyclists. Both road users have a right to be there.

From the cyclists perspect the fear of being run into by a negligent motorist (as happened on Southern Cross Drive Sydney in recent months) is real.

I was not challenging the cyclists rather supporting their rights.

But if that is your attitude, and if you express the same in lycra out on the road, no wonder there are motorists that would like to see all cyclists merge with the pavement.

I probably should have added an emotion to my post as it was supposed to be a bit tongue in cheek. I was also envisaging a scenario where you crest a hill and there in front of you is a slow car or a group of cyclists with an oncoming car and now where to go..

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Does the same apply to pedestrians Brian?

I find the attitudes on here appalling every time one of these threads come up. Especially given the increasing number of cyclist deaths like the one i posted a couple of pages back.

And I find it offensive that cyclists think they are deities that should be worshiped and are above all other road users (including pedestrians) as displayed whenever this type of discussion takes place. All I am suggesting is a little more equality. If cyclists were more respectful, I wouldn't have to suggest this. Sadly, experience has shown these lycra laminated loonies have a huge chip on their shoulders.

Originally Posted by steane

I remember when that elderly man was killed by cyclists in Melbourne (was living there at the time) and it affected how I perceived cyclists. I've never really had an issue with people who ride somewhere, ie to work.

It's the weekend warriors that are riding for the sake of riding and picking the worst roads to do it on that puts me off them. It's a bit like 4 people walking side by side down a footpath so no-one can get past them, just because they can.

I am a firm believer that some roads (not all roads) are just not suitable for riding a bike on, especially in a group. Not if you respect your life and respect other road users.

The article below is an interesting read, it covers that Melbourne death but also gives an insight into what drives some cyclists (something I still don't really understand even after reading it but each to their own)

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

And the same rabble almost cleaned me up on Beach Rd

Originally Posted by Eevo

should a 6 year old be riding a bike on a main road?



a couple of seconds every minute or two.

It's their right...............apparently

Originally Posted by Carzee

I have had two bad experiences and have drastically curtailled riding bikes. Dirt riding is still fun of course. No cars and trucks!

I was hit in broad daylight (0830) in 2012 and got bounced to the ground at a roundabout at slow speed. Luckily there was a 15second gap before the next car and I got off the road in time.

I was wearing a fluro orange hi vis nylon vest.
I was wearing a Big W helmet and it got a 4inch split. The noise in my ear as I hit the bitumen was really surprising. Never had that before.
I bled a little near my funny bone and elsewhere but my bike was hurt the most.

As I had approached the roundabout a little BMW overtook from behind then turned left across my right side and my front. All done at about 20-30kmph. She was a cute 20-24 yo and could've been on the phone I don't know. She pulled up and was shaking and crying saying she didn't see me and that she hadn't had her coffee yet and she was late for work etc. I got her phone number and could've chased her for a front rim but I couldn't be bothered. I left her, still having a little bawl on the phone to her girlfriend or some other unfortunate. I wonder if she updated her facebook status.

Another time, on my motorbike, an older 70+ lady came the wrong way on a roundabout from my left ( I was scanning the right to giveway if needed as you do, and when I saw her I dived left and put it down on the grass verge, no ill effects. She didn't stop. Too much meds or not enough. Carefactor zero.

Bikes and motorbikes suit country towns, quiet roads etc.. but with our current unprecedented demographic bubble of senior cits, and druggys, and mobile users, taking a ride can simply be death on a stick in urban areas. As I see it, the risk is too much. You can wake up in the spinal ward after a MVA and start filling the solicitor's paperwork but you have lost the argument. The car driver is at home carrying on their life. You have a big 'L' on your forehead.

Its not 'fair', its not 'Australian way', or not a legal problem, its first and foremost physics. You just don't take a knife to a gun fight. Thats how I feel.

Regardless of the imperfections of cyclists, and there are many, much needs to be done to improve the quality of drivers. And isn't that a bag of worms