Thread: Cyclist attacks bus driver

It's good to see that no one is pointing the finger here.. There are that many muppets on the road at the moment who can't merge, don't know how to use a roundabout, sit in the outside lane, don't know how to ride properly etc etc.. The list goes on! But, there is always angst towards cyclists. I have had several heated arguments with 1 member of the fire brigade I am a Lieutenant in, about cyclists, side by side riding and 'road ownership' etc.. Neither of us were prepared to back down. This all changed last year when the pager dropped and we got a call out to a Road Crash Rescue right on the edge of our response zone. It was a daytime callout, so I was the appliance driver that day. As the crews arrived, so did the friend I'd being arguing with about cyclists and other road users. Being the only Lieui in the station I allocated the crews, and placed my cycling friend as 'Officer in charge' with prime position in the front left seat (much to her disgust). We set off with 13 tonnes of truck driving Priority 1, so with speeds in excess of the signed limits, and here's where the penny dropped with my Officer in charge.. She very quickly said "it's a very different view up here at this speed". Sure enough within a few kms of responding we came upon a group of 4 cyclists riding 2 abreast on a road lined with Armco. I had to put the truck on completely the wrong side of the road to give them 'safe passing distance', in a position I don't deem safe. I'm just glad there was not a loaded semi coming down the hill in the other direction. Now some of you will throw in that I should be driving 'to the conditions' etc etc. I believe I was and do every time. Trying to keep a laden fire truck moving up hill at enough speed to make it to the incident in sensible time means using as much of the road as you can safely do so, whilst keeping it moving as fast as you safely can. Why the cyclist couldn't hear me, or chose not to move over is beyond me. We (the crew) then had a discussion on the way back to the station, about the situation, and all came to the conclusion that it should be law to ride in single file only (which I don't think is an unfair ask). This then gives enough room for two trucks to pass and usually leaves enough room for a cyclist (who I should add has every right to be there) to enjoy the road and surroundings. So, here's an idea.. If every bicycle had a registration plate - some form of identification, then I think most of the 'angst' would go away.. The motorists who do as they should would carry on as normal, passing cyclists with plenty of room, the cyclists who understand that they are very vulnerable, ride in single file and understand that some areas are very restrictive to ride through. They also have an identify-able number (as does every other vehicle that uses the road). Then when something like the incident this thread is about happens, then both vehicles are identifiable and whoever is in the wrong be it bus driver or cyclist accepts the penalty. There does not necessarily need to be a yearly charge, but perhaps a purchase price for the initial plate purchase so the rider gets added to the database.. (Those who own cars could have a plate that's linked to an existing car or similar).. It's just an idea/suggestion, so I'm not looking for an argument. It should also be noted that myself and fellow crew member agree now, and have not had a heated discussion since!!

Would the bicycle or rider be registered?

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Would the bicycle or rider be registered?

The bike, same as a motorbike, car, truck, tractor, trailer etc etc. Even if the rider does not own the cycle, the person who does would know who they have leant it to...

Don't see too many other countries doing this , at least as far as google searches , nor do many others fine for not wearing a helmet . Did notice recently while away the bikes did have a registration tag. About the the size big enough to have a bar code. Often saw inspectors checking them in bike parking lots .
Recently I have seen plenty written on the demise of kids riding to school and the tie in to later obesity , the extra land needed just to build car parks at shopping areas to cater for those who only drive etc. Time to ditch the current mentality and see how the rest of the world deals with multi vehicle road users. Interesting I just remembered reading how neither Arnie S has been caught a few times in Aus riding helmetless. Got off with a caution.

Originally Posted by Sitec

It's good to see that no one is pointing the finger here.. There are that many muppets on the road at the moment who can't merge, don't know how to use a roundabout, sit in the outside lane, don't know how to ride properly etc etc.. The list goes on! But, there is always angst towards cyclists. I have had several heated arguments with 1 member of the fire brigade I am a Lieutenant in, about cyclists, side by side riding and 'road ownership' etc.. Neither of us were prepared to back down. This all changed last year when the pager dropped and we got a call out to a Road Crash Rescue right on the edge of our response zone. It was a daytime callout, so I was the appliance driver that day. As the crews arrived, so did the friend I'd being arguing with about cyclists and other road users. Being the only Lieui in the station I allocated the crews, and placed my cycling friend as 'Officer in charge' with prime position in the front left seat (much to her disgust). We set off with 13 tonnes of truck driving Priority 1, so with speeds in excess of the signed limits, and here's where the penny dropped with my Officer in charge.. She very quickly said "it's a very different view up here at this speed". Sure enough within a few kms of responding we came upon a group of 4 cyclists riding 2 abreast on a road lined with Armco. I had to put the truck on completely the wrong side of the road to give them 'safe passing distance', in a position I don't deem safe. I'm just glad there was not a loaded semi coming down the hill in the other direction. Now some of you will throw in that I should be driving 'to the conditions' etc etc. I believe I was and do every time. Trying to keep a laden fire truck moving up hill at enough speed to make it to the incident in sensible time means using as much of the road as you can safely do so, whilst keeping it moving as fast as you safely can. Why the cyclist couldn't hear me, or chose not to move over is beyond me. We (the crew) then had a discussion on the way back to the station, about the situation, and all came to the conclusion that it should be law to ride in single file only (which I don't think is an unfair ask). This then gives enough room for two trucks to pass and usually leaves enough room for a cyclist (who I should add has every right to be there) to enjoy the road and surroundings. So, here's an idea.. If every bicycle had a registration plate - some form of identification, then I think most of the 'angst' would go away.. The motorists who do as they should would carry on as normal, passing cyclists with plenty of room, the cyclists who understand that they are very vulnerable, ride in single file and understand that some areas are very restrictive to ride through. They also have an identify-able number (as does every other vehicle that uses the road). Then when something like the incident this thread is about happens, then both vehicles are identifiable and whoever is in the wrong be it bus driver or cyclist accepts the penalty. There does not necessarily need to be a yearly charge, but perhaps a purchase price for the initial plate purchase so the rider gets added to the database.. (Those who own cars could have a plate that's linked to an existing car or similar).. It's just an idea/suggestion, so I'm not looking for an argument. It should also be noted that myself and fellow crew member agree now, and have not had a heated discussion since!!

With all due respect (noting that I believe the cyclists should have formed single file - based on the information you have given), why is it different to passing a slow car or another slow truck ?

I don't believe it would be any safer passing another vehicle with less than a meter to spare.

perhaps the only difference is that a person in a vehicle is more likely to survive being hit, than a cyclist, if it all goes wrong during the overtake.

my 2 cents

Originally Posted by Sitec

It's good to see that no one is pointing the finger here.. There are that many muppets on the road at the moment who can't merge, don't know how to use a roundabout, sit in the outside lane, don't know how to ride properly etc etc.. The list goes on! But, there is always angst towards cyclists. I have had several heated arguments with 1 member of the fire brigade I am a Lieutenant in, about cyclists, side by side riding and 'road ownership' etc.. Neither of us were prepared to back down. This all changed last year when the pager dropped and we got a call out to a Road Crash Rescue right on the edge of our response zone. It was a daytime callout, so I was the appliance driver that day. As the crews arrived, so did the friend I'd being arguing with about cyclists and other road users. Being the only Lieui in the station I allocated the crews, and placed my cycling friend as 'Officer in charge' with prime position in the front left seat (much to her disgust). We set off with 13 tonnes of truck driving Priority 1, so with speeds in excess of the signed limits, and here's where the penny dropped with my Officer in charge.. She very quickly said "it's a very different view up here at this speed". Sure enough within a few kms of responding we came upon a group of 4 cyclists riding 2 abreast on a road lined with Armco. I had to put the truck on completely the wrong side of the road to give them 'safe passing distance', in a position I don't deem safe. I'm just glad there was not a loaded semi coming down the hill in the other direction. Now some of you will throw in that I should be driving 'to the conditions' etc etc. I believe I was and do every time. Trying to keep a laden fire truck moving up hill at enough speed to make it to the incident in sensible time means using as much of the road as you can safely do so, whilst keeping it moving as fast as you safely can. Why the cyclist couldn't hear me, or chose not to move over is beyond me. We (the crew) then had a discussion on the way back to the station, about the situation, and all came to the conclusion that it should be law to ride in single file only (which I don't think is an unfair ask). This then gives enough room for two trucks to pass and usually leaves enough room for a cyclist (who I should add has every right to be there) to enjoy the road and surroundings. So, here's an idea.. If every bicycle had a registration plate - some form of identification, then I think most of the 'angst' would go away.. The motorists who do as they should would carry on as normal, passing cyclists with plenty of room, the cyclists who understand that they are very vulnerable, ride in single file and understand that some areas are very restrictive to ride through. They also have an identify-able number (as does every other vehicle that uses the road). Then when something like the incident this thread is about happens, then both vehicles are identifiable and whoever is in the wrong be it bus driver or cyclist accepts the penalty. There does not necessarily need to be a yearly charge, but perhaps a purchase price for the initial plate purchase so the rider gets added to the database.. (Those who own cars could have a plate that's linked to an existing car or similar).. It's just an idea/suggestion, so I'm not looking for an argument. It should also be noted that myself and fellow crew member agree now, and have not had a heated discussion since!!

I'm a bike rider and in the event you explained above wife and she would have been in single file and would have move to the left as much as possible......

Although it's hard to believe you put your crew in danger by crossing to the wrong side of the road without knowing what was coming......imagine if a truck was coming the other way glad it's you explaining it...if you survived that is.

Re: rego plates...if it ever come in which I highly doubt it I would comply because it the law but would prefer one plate that can be transferred between bikes as wife and I both have three bikes each.

Originally Posted by weeds

I'm a bike rider and in the event you explained above wife and she would have been in single file and would have move to the left as much as possible......

Although it's hard to believe you put your crew in danger by crossing to the wrong side of the road without knowing what was coming......imagine if a truck was coming the other way glad it's you explaining it...if you survived that is.

Re: rego plates...if it ever come in which I highly doubt it I would comply because it the law but would prefer one plate that can be transferred between bikes as wife and I both have three bikes each.

Between the wife and I we have more than 3 vehicles each and although we can only use one at a time, all of them are required to be individually registered. Not arguing the toss one way or the other, just am of the opinion it should be a consistent and level playing field for all users.

Originally Posted by pop058

Between the wife and I we have more than 3 vehicles each and although we can only use one at a time, all of them are required to be individually registered. Not arguing the toss one way or the other, just am of the opinion it should be a consistent and level playing field for all users.

If I had one plate to swap within my fleet, that would save me a motza!
What a great idea.