Thread: Cyclists.

Originally Posted by davidsonsm

I feel for you if your route is so polluted by those pesky people riding bikes. Especially if they are the kind of cyclists who flagrantly break the law and go out of their way to cause delay (stereotyping?).

If it causes you such frustration, as it seems to, maybe chose an alternate route less polluted by cyclists. Or seek counselling.

My normal "route" is clear of MAMILS. It's when I go to sydney to see family etc that I see the stupidity. 90% of the distance in one hour the last 10% takes 30-45mins and you can see the flow on delays caused by cyclists.
As to choosing an alternate route, it cuts both ways. I had an old Mazda as a teen with engine/gearbox issues limiting it to about (eventually after slow acceleration)30-40 kph. I went the long way to my mechanic, avoiding main roads for two reasons, not to cause a traffic jam/ accident and not to lose my license. Couldn't a cyclist go through the burbs instead of on a 80-100kph motorway?

I believe I would need counselling if I woke up and knew I was going to go out and deliberately obstruct/delay others, possibly cause accidents and end up crushed under a bus/truck/car if they don't see me.......

Originally Posted by frantic

My normal "route" is clear of MAMILS. It's when I go to sydney to see family etc that I see the stupidity. 90% of the distance in one hour the last 10% takes 30-45mins and you can see the flow on delays caused by cyclists.
As to choosing an alternate route, it cuts both ways. I had an old Mazda as a teen with engine/gearbox issues limiting it to about (eventually after slow acceleration)30-40 kph. I went the long way to my mechanic, avoiding main roads for two reasons, not to cause a traffic jam/ accident and not to lose my license. Couldn't a cyclist go through the burbs instead of on a 80-100kph motorway?

I believe I would need counselling if I woke up and knew I was going to go out and deliberately obstruct/delay others, possibly cause accidents and end up crushed under a bus/truck/car if they don't see me.......

Sydney is a whole separate case/issue in itself. It used to scare me to death as a cyclist when I lived there. I used to ride with the Sydney CC mob, who started out from Centennial Park (early a.m. when the roads were quiet) and either they headed north along Military Road or south past the airport. It was a case of safety in numbers. The ride turned nice eventually, once we got to Akuna Bay or the Southern Highlands/National Parks. But getting there was a nightmare. The roads are fewer, narrower and busier. Sydney gives little in the way of options if road riding is what you do.


My Sydney commute to work on the bike wasn't too bad, as I used bike paths predominately. Although one day, one moronic driver threatened to stab me just for existing on my bike (a whole story in itself).


The lack of bike friendliness in Sydney was one factor in me moving back to Melbourne, which is, relative to Sydney, much safer.


It really comes down to fear and consequence. I see just as many stupid driving examples in my car, as when I'm on my bike. But they rarely scare me in the car. Whereas, they can put the fear of god in me when I'm on my bike. There is one argument raised here that says if its that risky, why ride a bike. I try to minimise my exposure by using bike paths for the commute (along the Yarra - has to be the best and nicest way of getting to work - I'm passing traffic alongside me on the Monash) and by riding very early in the morning. And yes, I did my cycling proficiency test when I was young. So I try to be a model rider (but I'm not always perfect). So its hard to understand why motorists aim such hatred towards us humans using bicycles for transport - especially having grown up in the UK and having cycled in plenty of other countries.


I've heard of rolled up newspapers being used out of car windows to whack cyclists round the back of the head. I've seen beer bottles thrown from cars at riders. I've seen tacks placed on the ground. Plus the verbal assaults and the general lack of appreciation for passing with clear space. Beating up cyclists is a national sport. Hence, I confess to snapping occasionally - usually after about the 100th incident, which seems to be about my tolerance level.


Why oh why can't it be better? I know it is elsewhere in the world. Why are we such inconsiderate souls here - in relation to car/bike dynamic.


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I'm always amazed at how many motorists genuinely believe that the traffic jams and chaos in the rush hour are caused by a few cyclists apparently holding everyone up.

The delays caused by cyclists pale in to insignificance when compared to the perceived delays caused by cyclists and the actual delays caused my motorists themselves. It's just easier for a motorist to just blame someone else rather than change their own behaviour and admit that they contribute more to congestion that someone on a bike.

This video (not mine) just goes to show who is delaying who in the Sydney traffic.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71paO1HcJQI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71paO1HcJQI[/ame]

Originally Posted by sam_d

I'm always amazed at how many motorists genuinely believe that the traffic jams and chaos in the rush hour are caused by a few cyclists apparently holding everyone up.

it only takes a few cyclists to slow down the entire system.
just like it only takes 1 broken down car in the right spot.

Originally Posted by Eevo

it only takes a few cyclists to slow down the entire system.
just like it only takes 1 broken down car in the right spot.

And the broken down car could be blamed on cycling too, if you try hard enough.

On my early morning ride around the hills I inconvenienced a couple of cars to the tune of a few seconds each. One driver even gave me a thankful flash of the hazards as he went by after I pulled over onto a clear spot inside a tight bend.

On my late morning errand to that cesspit of driver stupidity called Adelaide & Suburbs I saw literally dozens on stupid motorists slowing traffic flow by being just plain stupid. I didn't sight a single cyclist whilst stuck in queues of stalled traffic. You should try ascending the freeway when the nitwits sit in the right hand lane at 70, and the dullards pull out from behind slow moving trucks at little more than walking pace.

Oh and I didn't see a single police car booking all these cretins. The ones I saw were busy with the truckie caught in the upper kitty litter trap, someone will be told off for not maintaining a safe truck.

Originally Posted by Eevo

it only takes a few cyclists to slow down the entire system.
just like it only takes 1 broken down car in the right spot.

A dead or injured cyclist really ruins your day. How inconsiderate of them.

Originally Posted by bee utey

And the broken down car could be blamed on cycling too, if you try hard enough.

that broken day car was on this way to the mechanics and would of made it if he wasnt slowed down by a cyclists.

Originally Posted by bee utey

You should try ascending the freeway when the nitwits sit in the right hand lane at 70, and the dullards pull out from behind slow moving trucks at little more than walking pace.

finally, something we agree upon.

Originally Posted by Eevo

that broken day car was on this way to the mechanics and would of made it if he wasnt slowed down by a cyclists.

Are all cyclists manifestations of the same malevolent cyclist spirit? How metaphysical of you.