Cyclists.

**Mick_Marsh** · 8th January 2015, 10:38 AM

GSL and bee utey, yep, Pt Elliot and Middleton. I'm tipping I spend more time between Victor and Goolwa than both of you. I am well versed with the behavior of South Australians on the road.

As I approached, I slowed, as any collision had the potential to soil my rather unique panel and paint work. Interestingly, when he realised a vehicle was behind him, he moved closer to the parked vehicle. Clearly a cyclist who had no idea of what was going on about him. As an individual, really not a problem but, when in a peloton, mob mentality takes over and the individual takes on the belif he is invincible. This can be shown in Dave's experience.

Originally Posted by d2dave

A few months ago I was driving on a quiet country road near home that has a 100 kph limit. I approached a large group of cyclists going in the same direction.

This group was nearly using all of my lane, but as the road was wide enough for two way traffic and due to there being no oncoming cars, the riders were not posing a problem.

As the road was wide enough for me to pass with plenty of room to spare, probably at least one and a half to two metres, there was no need for me to slow down.

As I got fairly close to them one of the outside riders all of a sudden departs the group and moves into my path forcing me to brake hard to avoid him.

At first I had no idea what he was doing and when he moved back into the group I realised it was a deliberate act to force me to slow down.

It did cause me grief because initially I was concerned that I might collect him.

Now, for whatever reasons the cyclist did this, he was breaking the law.
Rule 253

Bicycle riders not to cause a traffic hazard
The rider of a bicycle must not cause a traffic
hazard by moving into the path of a driver or
pedestrian.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.

Now, if he can break the law and expect to get away with it, it's just plain arrogant to expect the motorist to obey the law.
That is the sort of thing that ****es me off.
I'm all for fairness an equality. That is why I push for all road vehicles to be registered or not registered. That is why I push for all people in control of these vehicles to be licensed or unlicensed.

**Mick_Marsh** · 8th January 2015, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by bee utey

I'm all for the abolition of registration. Registration is a stupid scheme because it insufficiently identifies the operator and penalises light users. There could be suitably placed detectors and all people would have RFID chips embedded in them and no-one could escape the reach of the law. They could be taxed based on how and when they use a particular facility and drive any of their vehicles whenever they wanted without having to pay thousands up front. Great idea!

Yeah. Like that will ever get up.
The civil libertarians will drag that one on. "The invasion of civil liberties".

I know what you watched the other night on telly. Enemy of the State.

**bee utey** · 8th January 2015, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Yeah. Like that will ever get up.
The civil libertarians will drag that one on. "The invasion of civil liberties".

I know what you watched the other night on telly. Enemy of the State.

Hardly ever watch TV. I have a good enough imagination to invent my own crackpot scenarios, thank you kindly.

Now, for whatever reasons the cyclist did this, he was breaking the law.

Absolutely, and if the following vehicle had been a police car, then he would have been booked. BTW, as a cyclist I'm not terribly fond of the bunched hero cyclists either, but they're not the majority of cyclists I know and meet on my rides. As a motorist, they hardly rate as a blip on my radar, terrible drivers outnumber bad cyclists many times. And as a frequent visitor to SA's south coast I'm well aware that all road users including cyclists on holidays should be approached with care. Tourists are funny creatures, endearing in their little wobbly ways. Give them space please.

**Mick_Marsh** · 8th January 2015, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Ancient Mariner

he laws, which came in to effect on New Year's Day, allow cyclists to cross zebra and pedestrian crossings without dismounting, and also removes a requirement that they ride in bicycle lanes if they're provided.
Read more at Queensland changes laws to favour cyclists - 9news.com.au

No comment

I was thinking about the application of that one the other night. Driving along the other nigh, I passed though several pedestrian crossings.
It's easy with pedestrians. They'r on the footpath and if they are heading towards the pedestrian crossing its pretty easy to determine if they may be using the crossing.
Cyclists are a different matter. If they are riding, they are not on the footpath (as that would be breaking a road rule).
They are on the side of the road (more than likely in the centre breaking a road rule but in this example I'll assume they are not) then, suddenly, they hook turn onto the pedestrian crossing in front of you. Yep, I can see a few more incidents and road rage with that one.

**Eevo** · 8th January 2015, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by bee utey

terrible drivers outnumber bad cyclists many times

although this may be true, less often do the terrible drivers hold me up.

**Mick_Marsh** · 8th January 2015, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by bee utey

Absolutely, and if the following vehicle had been a police car, then he would have been booked.

But the following car was not. So, what are you saying now, if the police are not around road rules do not apply?

Had the cyclist been displaying a registration number, the dash cam video could have been taken to the police. There was an appeal by the police earlier this year. With the popularity of dash cams, they wanted people to submit their videos of people committing indiscretions.

**Eevo** · 8th January 2015, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

So, what are you saying now, if the police are not around road rules do not apply?

its only illegal if you get caught,

**bee utey** · 8th January 2015, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Eevo

although this may be true, less often do the terrible drivers hold me up.

Impatience, lad, will cost you dearly one day. Drive to stay alive, not to beat the clock.

**bee utey** · 8th January 2015, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

But the following car was not. So, what are you saying now, if the police are not around road rules do not apply?

I think that you have very little idea of what I'm saying.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Had the cyclist been displaying a registration number, the dash cam video could have been taken to the police. There was an appeal by the police earlier this year. With the popularity of dash cams, they wanted people to submit their videos of people committing indiscretions.

With a sufficiently good camera you could still send the vision to the police, the clothes and bike would be enough for the police to move on, if they thought it's worth their while chasing people for minor infractions that didn't cause an accident.

**Eevo** · 8th January 2015, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by bee utey

if they thought it's worth their while chasing people for minor infractions that didn't cause an accident.

most speeding infringements are minor infractions that dont cause an accident.

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