Thread: Petition for new rules applying to cyclists

One rider was lucky on Friday morning riding near Camble Barracks Cottesloe At 0545 (still dark) on a regular group ride ,when he came crashing down due to sliiping Gumnuts on the road and a trailing vehicle sweverd quickly to avoid running him over , was a very close call looking at the vidio from the rear of his bike camera .

Not sure that a group bike ride in the dark around the Burbs is the way to go , but each to their own .

Sounds like they were lucky but everyone accepts risks differently so while you may not think riding in the dark is a good idea or would ever do it, there are those that think that it is - and also may not have another option due to work, etc. I walk in the dark as it’s the only time I can get out for any length of time during the week so they may be in exactly the same position - heading to work before 7am and at this time of year getting home in the dark too. In Summer, it’s the coolest time of the day too, so makes perfect sense IMO.

If we start banning things because a few think it’s not a good idea, we wouldn’t be allowed to do anything...

I see the lycra loonys riding around Tullamarine by the industrial area's, now that is asking for trouble.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I see the lycra loonys riding around Tullamarine by the industrial area's, now that is asking for trouble.

With the caliber of some of the truck and delivery drivers and couriers around there, that indeed is taking your life in your hands...

It is not the average bike rider that is the issue, it is a couple of categories:
1: The arrogant Lycra Gang that think they are the only ones on the planet, often travelling 3 or 4 wide, taking up full lanes, riding 3 metres from the edge of the road for no reason, riding at speed on shared paths, often taking up both direction split lanes or refusing to use cycleways.
2: The general and lycra idiot that wants to ride on narrow plus 80kmph roads and usually half way across the lane..

Originally Posted by Homestar

Sounds like they were lucky but everyone accepts risks differently so while you may not think riding in the dark is a good idea or would ever do it, there are those that think that it is - and also may not have another option due to work, etc. I walk in the dark as it’s the only time I can get out for any length of time during the week so they may be in exactly the same position - heading to work before 7am and at this time of year getting home in the dark too. In Summer, it’s the coolest time of the day too, so makes perfect sense IMO.

If we start banning things because a few think it’s not a good idea, we wouldn’t be allowed to do anything...

I wasnt alluding that they cant ride at that time in the dark its a free world , i am saying a group riding around in the dark is not smart ,as it puts themselves and more importantly other people at risk . In this incident it was dark , lots of traffic and the rider fell because he could not see the gumnuts on the road resulting in he fell in front of a car which had to swerve into the adjacent lane and other traffic to avoid running over him there was a lot of traffic at the time , lucky he was tail end charlie of this and not the lead of this lycra cladded mob of not so smart bike riders . Lets hope he learns from this .

Originally Posted by Fatso

I wasnt alluding that they cant ride at that time in the dark its a free world , i am saying a group riding around in the dark is not smart ,as it puts themselves and more importantly other people at risk . In this incident it was dark , lots of traffic and the rider fell because he could not see the gumnuts on the road resulting in he fell in front of a car which had to swerve into the adjacent lane and other traffic to avoid running over him there was a lot of traffic at the time , lucky he was tail end charlie of this and not the lead of this lycra cladded mob of not so smart bike riders . Lets hope he learns from this .

I actually hope the driver learns to not sit so close to traffic infront, regardless of whether it be a cyclist, motorbike rider or a car.

Everyone says cyclists shouldn't do this or that, but if the car behind has to swerve to avoid colliding with a vehicle in front, that is the fault of the driver. Learn to drive, simple as that. And drive to conditions.

Call it like it is for **** sake.

I didn't go to work tonight, because it is dark and scary.