I would like to make a comment on this topic and share with you all a little of my experience. I am a former Qld State Champion (pursuit), so I used to do many km on my bike, on the roads, to train. During this time, I always followed road rules - period. Still, at times, the abuse and wreck-less driving I was subjected to was an absolute disgrace. Is it not ironic, that many here and in the wider community will hold negative attitudes towards cyclists who might be out doing the necessary training - but whenever events such as the Commonwealth Games or similar come up, the armchair sportsman in them then decides to come out and cheer us on?
But I digress.
After I moved to Ipswich, I continued to try to ride to work. After about 15 or so commutes, I gave up. I had vehicles drive within inches of me, drivers making eye contact but then drive in front of me, consciously cutting me off, when they should have given way; I've had abuse yelled at me, objects thrown at me, I have even, on one occasion, had my life threatened! And, read on, it would appear just because I was wearing lycra and riding a cycle. I had not held this particular moron up, I hadn't got in his way - I had not done anything at all to effect this sad individual. He just didn't feel I should be on the road - he told me so - ride on the road when you pay rego, he said.
Anyhow, these near misses were enough to stop me doing something I loved - as a result, I became overweight and unhealthy.
So recently, I said to myself - enough is enough - I began riding again - I have come to the conclusion that to stop doing something I love because a few inconsiderate morons want to run me off the road is just something I'm not going to put up with - if I die - so be it.
But I'm now doing one thing different. I have ditched the lycra. I now wear a fluro drill cotton work shirt and regular shorts. I stopped shaving my legs - only my cycling shoes are the same as before. The difference in driver attitude is simply remarkable. I now have vehicles treating me like any other law abiding road user. I am no longer having issues riding to work. Is this not amazing? I really think so.
What does this say? It says, to me at least, that there are many people who see fit cyclists in lycra and basically classify them as being a menace - without them necessarily doing anything wrong. But now the lycra is gone, I'm now classified as the factory worker who has been done for drink driving or such like - ironically, this seems to have given me some respect from motorists.
I'm happy to have found a way to be safe! But I think it is sad that people can devalue a life based on such trivial things.
You know, I read that article in the SMH - It really upsets me to see such rubbish written. There are always going to be idiots, on bikes and in cars. But material like that makes me feel unsafe - do you understand that? I feel unsafe, because anti cyclist attitudes are fostered by such unethical tripe. All I'm trying to do is get some exercise in, do something good for myself and the planet, and do something I love.
I ask that some of you consider this. I have a wife at home. I have a mother. I'm a regular fella. My life is valuable. I ride a bike.
