Thread: Cyclists

Originally Posted by Scallops

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.

I can make absolutely no comment on your individual situation, however I would like to point out that your life is valuable to motorists driving automobiles on the road also. I have never - ever - done anything antagonistic, threatening or worse dangerous towards a cyclist on the road, and never would. I could imagine few things worse than some poor fellow being mowed down on a freeway or in peak hour traffic. The point that I would like to make, however, is that there appear to be a (very) large contingent of cyclists who take the 'holier than though' attitude - I could not care less how many mg of carbon dioxide people save on their bikes, when the danger to themselves and other motorists is ridiculous.

I should be very clear - I support cyclists on roads, etc. however a certain proportion of them either enjoy flirting with death (why do so many ride so far to the right of a perfectly functioning bike lane?) or know that a motorist will have to go out of their way in order to avoid hitting them, and create their own moral hazard dilemma.

Furthermore, I don't buy the argument that 'there are bad cyclists and bad drivers, therefore get over it'. Being as objective as I can possibly be, the proportion of cyclists who willingly flout any sense of intelligence on the roads is far higher than the tool/douche/slickos auto brigade. On that note, if someone is caught speeding, drinking or doing some other dangerous activity while driving, they are held responsible. What happens to cyclists? (This is a serious question - I honestly don't know, but the idea I get is nothing).

Without serious accountability (effectively licence plates and registration) and greater recognition from cyclists that not all people who are complaining about these issues (such as myself) have some particular vendetta against them just for the hell of it, I can't see problem cyclists on the whole changing their behaviour.

Hello Dmmos,

I don't know if there are more bad cyclists than car drivers; but I do know that virtually every 2nd car that passes me on my way home is speeding. I don't know if registering cycles would change general attitudes and improve things any; but I do know that rego is more about third party injury and road maintenance and bikes don't do much damage in either situation. But I do appreciate you recognizing that my life is valuable!

All I can discuss is my life - my habits. I obey the law both on my bike and in my truck - because I want to be safe. The simple point I'm making is that when I read these articles, and there have been a few lately, it makes me reconsider riding full stop. I worry about getting home without being run over. These articles, and the attitudes they can foster, really scare me. If you read many of the replies to such stories, you will see many extreme attitudes on both sides. This worries me greatly - so much so that it had stopped me cycling for a time.

This might sound paranoid - but I have had many instances where such things have happened - not because I'm being wreckless or irresponsible on my bike, but because I used to do 1500km per month on average on the bike, so I had an increased sample space for bad moments.

Laws are in place for all road users and we should all follow these and be subjected to the consequences of not doing so. Further, I think all road users have a right to feel safe. Accidents will always happen, but effectively setting up battlelines, as I feel this article did, does not help anyone. It just brings more of the "them and us" into the picture.

I might be cycling home tonight, but (if I make it!), I'll be driving my Defender to the Main Range tomorrow morning to go camping.

Regards,

Dan.

I ride a bike to work during the week, mostly on bike paths but partly on roads, and I ride mountain bikes on dirt on the weekends. As such I get abused by motorists, pedestrians, dog walkers, hikers, horse riders and even try hards illegally riding dirt bikes in State forests and parks. I obey the road rules (and you are allowed to ride footpaths in Queensland) and I don't ride illegal trails.

I've been hit by two cars in one day (both stopped long enough to see me move then sped off) and had a bus driver run me off the road out of spite, nearly taking out two parked cars in the process. As with others, I've had everything from abuse to bottles hurled at me. People at work even tell me how much they hate cyclists, but can't really say why.

I will keep riding, but I have now given up on the idea of "sharing" the road. I usually stay as far away from cars as possible, but when I can't I will happily take up a whole lane if it means I am less likely to get run down. I ride a single speed so it takes me a while to get up to speed, but that's just too bad if you're behind me. I ride roughly double the distance I would drive to work, but still get there quicker.

I would prefer an ideal world where people were courteous and did the right thing, but that's never going to happen. So I'll do what I want to do within the bounds of the law and take whatever action I need to take to keep myself safe. No apologies, that's just the way it is in a city.

I can't believe these sort of stupid discussions still go on - what's the suggestion, bikes use footpaths? how dangerous is that for the poor pedestrians?

I guess my observation is that many cyclists use main roads when there are plenty of alternates that may or may not be a bit more hilly.

Example- I have seen many cyclists ride up Spit Hill inbound in morning peak then along Military Road, holding up many many buses and cars.
There is a perfect alternate route up Parawi Rd but do they use it? Again at the same spot a right turn would take them through the back of Mosman which is admittedly a bit more hilly. But why do they ride? For exercise.
But I agree part of the problem is government who should ban bikes from main roads in peak hours, but also provide off grade cycling routes. EG Melbourne's excellent paths along the Yarra.
Regard sPhilip A

Originally Posted by longing4alandy

Sooo...everyone moaning about cyclists, get off your collective bums and please assist getting these troublesome road users off the mainstream roads by lobbying local and state governments to provide bicycle only lanes that are both safe and expediant for the cyclist to use.

What - you mean like we have in many areas in Perth. And STILL these lycra clad ******* insist on riding on the road in groups right alongside the cycle paths built for their use

Try driving along Riverside Drive in Perth any morning during peak hour traffic and coming up behind a bunch of these inconsiderate tossers who think they own the road. Or along the side of the river at Fremantle, where there are dedicated cycle paths BOTH sides of the road, but they still choose to use the road.

Can't ride in groups 5 wide on the cycle paths, can they. Ignorant ******* deserve everything they get.

Having said that - fortunately the ignorant ******* described above are outnumbered by far more sensible cyclists on the road.

On that note, if someone is caught speeding, drinking or doing some other dangerous activity while driving, they are held responsible. What happens to cyclists? (This is a serious question - I honestly don't know, but the idea I get is nothing).

As far as I am aware, and I have heard of this happening, if a cyclist breaks road rules, rides while drunk etc. they can and have been fined and along with that I believe lose points or licence in the process.

Originally Posted by Scallops

Hello Dmmos,

I don't know if there are more bad cyclists than car drivers; but I do know that virtually every 2nd car that passes me on my way home is speeding. I don't know if registering cycles would change general attitudes and improve things any; but I do know that rego is more about third party injury and road maintenance and bikes don't do much damage in either situation. But I do appreciate you recognizing that my life is valuable!

All I can discuss is my life - my habits. I obey the law both on my bike and in my truck - because I want to be safe. The simple point I'm making is that when I read these articles, and there have been a few lately, it makes me reconsider riding full stop. I worry about getting home without being run over. These articles, and the attitudes they can foster, really scare me. If you read many of the replies to such stories, you will see many extreme attitudes on both sides. This worries me greatly - so much so that it had stopped me cycling for a time.

This might sound paranoid - but I have had many instances where such things have happened - not because I'm being wreckless or irresponsible on my bike, but because I used to do 1500km per month on average on the bike, so I had an increased sample space for bad moments.

Laws are in place for all road users and we should all follow these and be subjected to the consequences of not doing so. Further, I think all road users have a right to feel safe. Accidents will always happen, but effectively setting up battlelines, as I feel this article did, does not help anyone. It just brings more of the "them and us" into the picture.

I might be cycling home tonight, but (if I make it!), I'll be driving my Defender to the Main Range tomorrow morning to go camping.

Regards,

Dan.

I agree that it isn't good to have a 'them & us' mentality, and one thing I hadn't considered very much is the situation of cyclists being abused by motorists (in particular when the cyclist is in the right) - a scenario I cannot comment on as I have never ridden a bike on a public road (pardon my shameful bias ).

Good luck with the ride - stay safe.

Cheers, Dave.

In my working situation, I am involved with all sorts of traffic. I reckon that the Venn diagram of road users ought to include pedestrians as well.

Cyclists (on the whole) have little regard for those on foot. Observe Queensberry, Grattan, Elgin Streets in Carlton (Melb), Esplanade at Port Melbourne, just about anywhere in South Melbourne, Southbank - you'll see the poor old ped is in mortal danger!!

The unholy bit is the intersection of all road (and periphery) users. In that space, education seems to fly out a window and Darwinian Theory takes command!

Rant off.

Pete, the public lighting lamp changer!