Thread: Cyclists.

There were lots of replies in this thread I thought were worthy of reply some in the affirmative, some in the negative but instead I'll post my experience.

I took up riding again in 2007 after 15years off the bike. Since then I have done over 60,000km.

In that time I have had many run-ins with motorists cutting myself or my wife off, turning in front of me, abusing me, attempting to use their vehicle as a weapon to intimidate me etc. In all that time, out of all the people I have caught up to and given a spray too and in some cases depending on the severity of the incident invited them out of the car to speak face to face I have only ever had one person take me up on my offer. He was a truck driver with a car load of mates following him.

Draw your own conclusions on the moral fibre of these types of people.

I derive a little amusement from chasing someone down after they've done something potentially life threatening and watching the panic in their eyes when they realise I've caught up to them.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

What is the difference between a slow moving 4 wheel vehicle in a lane of a road and a peleton of cyclists riding two abrest on the same road.

I see a lot of these, i.e. a tractor towing an implement (or not) between paddocks, the difference is the tractor has mirrors, the driver knows what they do and is aware others are traveling on the road, they are always faster than his/her agricultural equipment and would appreciate the opportunity to go past when safe. Furthermore the farmer pulls over when appropriate to let some vehicles past, often to his/her own inconvenience.

So lots of differences... Agree with your surprise as to why someone would want to ride inches from 100kph traffic, simply mad why some would ride WITH 100kph+ vehicles...the mind boggles

Originally Posted by Pocket Rocket

So.....

If someone doesn't live their life according the way that that a certain section of the population approve of they should be:

1. Abused
2. Sworn at
3. Hated
4. Run down
5. Murdered

But there is no ignorance or lack of education here....

Don't bring religion into this...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the opinion that riding 2 abreast is only allowed on Dual Carraigeways?
I offten see 2-3 abreast on windy single carriage roads.

Originally Posted by Pocket Rocket

So.....

If someone doesn't live their life according the way that that a certain section of the population approve of they should be:

1. Abused
2. Sworn at
3. Hated
4. Run down
5. Murdered

But there is no ignorance or lack of education here....

well done on taking what i said out of context.

I think that if you travel at 20kph out in the middle of a traffic lane, whether you are running, cycling or driving a truck or car, you can expect to have a lot of near misses and the occasional collision from faster vehicles coming up behind you. If you don't expect any of that to happen then you are a moron. If you are a moron, then expect abuse. I have included pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and car/truck drivers. Anyone who wants to travel very slowly out in the middle of a traffic lane. It's unfair to only pick on cyclists.

Originally Posted by mikehzz

I think that if you travel at 20kph out in the middle of a traffic lane, whether you are running, cycling or driving a truck or car, you can expect to have a lot of near misses and the occasional collision from faster vehicles coming up behind you. If you don't expect any of that to happen then you are a moron. If you are a moron, then expect abuse. I have included pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and car/truck drivers. Anyone who wants to travel very slowly out in the middle of a traffic lane. It's unfair to only pick on cyclists.

How do you explain peak bumper to bumper traffic, driver spots a cyclist in their mirror and deliberately moves to block the cycling lane or worse waits until your passing and then moves into you. Most of my road cycling is done in peak traffic with cycle lanes and this is a weekly scenario.

Originally Posted by Cliffy

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the opinion that riding 2 abreast is only allowed on Dual Carraigeways?
I offten see 2-3 abreast on windy single carriage roads.

In WA you can ride 2 abreast on all roads. Not that it is always wise. Generally I'll only do it if I'm claiming the lane because it is unsafe for cars to try and squeeze past without proper overtaking onto the other side of the road.