Why cyclists enrage car drivers?

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/cyclists-targeted-with-rice-on-bike-path-20130305-2fhuv.html

GOLD!

KB1971 said :

Solidarity said :

KB1971 said :

rigseismic67 said :

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

Ohhh, ohhh can I? Pleeeeeeesssssseeeeeee say what is wrong with this video?

The driver crossed a double white line and did not give way to oncoming traffic when passing a slower vehicle! It would have take but a few seconds to wait for the rider to move into the gap on the left so the driver can pass safely but nooooooooooo the driver just pushes their way past.

This is pretty typical Canberra driver behavior, they just don’t know how to pass a slower vehicle on a two lane road.

there are big signs up saying no onroad cycling past that point due to lack of shoulder.

Maybe so but they are not visible in that vid.

I am not excusing the cyclist, if the sign says so he should not be there bu then the one pointing the finger also does the wrong thing when presented with a situation that is out of the ordinary.

Those in glass houses and all that……

on the right at 0.00

Hey, there’s no reason both motorists AND cyclists can’t be wrong!

Solidarity said :

KB1971 said :

rigseismic67 said :

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

Ohhh, ohhh can I? Pleeeeeeesssssseeeeeee say what is wrong with this video?

The driver crossed a double white line and did not give way to oncoming traffic when passing a slower vehicle! It would have take but a few seconds to wait for the rider to move into the gap on the left so the driver can pass safely but nooooooooooo the driver just pushes their way past.

This is pretty typical Canberra driver behavior, they just don’t know how to pass a slower vehicle on a two lane road.

there are big signs up saying no onroad cycling past that point due to lack of shoulder.

Maybe so but they are not visible in that vid.

I am not excusing the cyclist, if the sign says so he should not be there bu then the one pointing the finger also does the wrong thing when presented with a situation that is out of the ordinary.

Those in glass houses and all that……

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

Ahh but we do, outside of a car. You should try it……

Disclaimer: That vid was not compiled by me nor do I actually own a dash cam.

Try it? I rode my bike every day for many years. Then I grew up and got my licence 🙂 🙂 🙂

Really, you don’t show it……

Postalgeek said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

Ahh but we do, outside of a car. You should try it……

Disclaimer: That vid was not compiled by me nor do I actually own a dash cam.

Try it? I rode my bike every day for many years. Then I grew up and got my licence 🙂 🙂 🙂

Your trolling is amateurish. Good trolls are much more subtle.

Who asked you?

KB1971 said :

rigseismic67 said :

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

Ohhh, ohhh can I? Pleeeeeeesssssseeeeeee say what is wrong with this video?

The driver crossed a double white line and did not give way to oncoming traffic when passing a slower vehicle! It would have take but a few seconds to wait for the rider to move into the gap on the left so the driver can pass safely but nooooooooooo the driver just pushes their way past.

This is pretty typical Canberra driver behavior, they just don’t know how to pass a slower vehicle on a two lane road.

there are big signs up saying no onroad cycling past that point due to lack of shoulder.

Ezy said :

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

I have a life, an active life that involves cycling. Some of my best friends today I have met through cycling and the better memories of my life have involved a bike in some way.

This place amazes me, such a bunch of rednecks/bogans who love nothing more but to hate on people.

Like I mentioned before I too rode my bike alot when I was a kid and of course had alot of fun on it but the idea of being a pretentious wanker by holding up traffic just so I can enjoy my hobby boggles my mind.
I dont hate you people. I just think of you as the pests you quite obviously are.

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

Ahh but we do, outside of a car. You should try it……

Disclaimer: That vid was not compiled by me nor do I actually own a dash cam.

Try it? I rode my bike every day for many years. Then I grew up and got my licence 🙂 🙂 🙂

Your trolling is amateurish. Good trolls are much more subtle.

KB1971 said :

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

Ahh but we do, outside of a car. You should try it……

Disclaimer: That vid was not compiled by me nor do I actually own a dash cam.

Try it? I rode my bike every day for many years. Then I grew up and got my licence 🙂 🙂 🙂

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

I have a life, an active life that involves cycling. Some of my best friends today I have met through cycling and the better memories of my life have involved a bike in some way.

This place amazes me, such a bunch of rednecks/bogans who love nothing more but to hate on people.

slashdot said :

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

Ahh but we do, outside of a car. You should try it……

Disclaimer: That vid was not compiled by me nor do I actually own a dash cam.

SmileOnTrial said :

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Mostly cyclists need to get a life

KB1971 said :

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

Someone seriously needs to get a life.

Lots of people, incl drivers, seem to have pent up rage which is looking for a catalyst to bring on a rage release. Almost anything will do for some people: a fellow driver who fails to indicate or who drives in the right hand lane or who drives a white commodore. Cyclists are just a group on their list but cyclists have that extra annoying anarchist free spirit that gets up the nose of people trapped in their cars as they journey from their enraging home trap to their enraging work trap.

An then there is Russia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYfLLNNfjG4

rigseismic67 said :

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

Two, or more, wrongs don’t make a right. You overtook illegally, didn’t leave enough space and, unless you sped the video up Benny Hill style, you are clearly over the usual 40km/h speed limit at that time of day (and which the cyclist was probably close to achieving). Even if the limit was, less likely, the max 60km/h, you look like you were well over that too. Did you forget to reduce your speed after you left Adelaide Avenue?

I agree that the cyclist shouldn’t be on that stretch of road but, even if he entered that section at a point where he saw that cyclists weren’t allowed, it is a very long detour for cyclists compared to cars. Probably equivalent to the time and effort that would be required for motorists if Cotter Road was shut down entirely. At least then the roadworks hopefully could be completed more quickly and cheaply.

As for no helmet, again, the cyclist is clearly an idiot. But do you also consider it reasonable to menace car drivers who don’t wear a seatbelt?

I’m sure you will dismiss critics of your views both on RA and the other site that you linked to as a minority but at some stage you really should ask yourself if, perhaps, you are the actual goose.

^^This

This video pretty well sums up Canberra drivers/riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO0AwJ_h_a8

I’m primarily a motorist, I have plenty of bicycles, don’t own or wear Lycra, couldn’t bring myself to ride on the roadside, don’t ride across pedestrian crossings etc. With that disclaimer aside, I don’t give a flying fark that some cyclists ride on roadsides or across pedestrian crossings.
Manouvering a ton or more of metal around town comes with great responsibility and lots of drivers I see don’t respect that. It’s still the quickest way to keep oneself mobile, and who cares about mere seconds when buses and bicycles are minutes to hours behind in comparison.
As a driver, it’s your job to do head checks, drive sensibly and courteously, watch for potential hazards and slow down when approaching crossings. I appreciate other road users should do the same, although at the end of the day if you run into a cyclist or pedestrian in your car, you’ll pretty much kill them. Who in their right mind wants to have that on their conscience?

My suggestion is when in a vehicle to approach pedestrian crossings the same as you would a Give Way sign, with all the necessary precautions, and then continue about your day.

poetix said :

If you’d like to prettify the Mully, I’ve got a lovely black cashmere jumper that’d work a treat…just in case this thread wins.

Down to $20 now.

GOLD!

rigseismic67 said :

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

Ohhh, ohhh can I? Pleeeeeeesssssseeeeeee say what is wrong with this video?

The driver crossed a double white line and did not give way to oncoming traffic when passing a slower vehicle! It would have take but a few seconds to wait for the rider to move into the gap on the left so the driver can pass safely but nooooooooooo the driver just pushes their way past.

This is pretty typical Canberra driver behavior, they just don’t know how to pass a slower vehicle on a two lane road.

rigseismic67 said :

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

You can pick a tool from a mile off when they equate a 100kg rider to a 2 ton SUV.

If you’d like to prettify the Mully, I’ve got a lovely black cashmere jumper that’d work a treat…just in case this thread wins.

Down to $20 now.

Its funny how cyclists can record car drivers with their GoPro helmet cams and report said car drivers to the police but can drivers do the same? no not without a registration plate to report.
see this and defend his actions as I am sure the majority of readers will try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz–AHdq-M
I wonder if I drive my Hummvee with its 5 poster bullbar on the bikepath- would that be ok too…..hmm

If you do a wheelie on the street can your bike get impounded?

The cheer leading from both sides is really quite embarrassing.

KB1971 said :

Jono said :

Masquara said :

Yes it was actually quite entertaining. They actually took themselves out of whatever schedule they were on (they appeared to be headed toward Bruce) to divert to Chinatown, just to shake their fists. What is it that makes cyclists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

Since you’re sharing cyclist on pedestrian crossing stories, let me share my pedestrian (not quite) on pedestrian crossing story with you.

I was walking down Kings Avenue from Parliament House on the western side and approaching the intersection with National Circuit. There’s a slip lane there with a pedestrian crossing. As an aside here, why do they put pedestrian crossings on slip lanes, when pedestrians already have right of way?

Anyway, I was watching the traffic coming down Kings Avenue as I was about to step onto the crossing, and had to stop because there was a car turning left onto the slip lane where the driver clearly had no intention of giving way at the pedestrian crossing. He had to stop for the cross traffic, so I walked around behind his car, and as his window was open I said to him, “There’s a pedestrian crossing here, mate, and you almost ran me over.” His response was “Go f*ck yourself”, and he gave me the finger.

The difference from your story, is that this bloke was a serious chance to kill somebody.

What is it that makes motorists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

Clap….clap….clap……

The motorist pays rego so it’s ok…

I usually stay away from cyclists/drivers threads, as I clearly am a driver (who does not mind waiting if lycra wankers DISMOUNT at pedestrian crossings, not speed up pedalling instead), but there is a fair share of both drivers and cyclists on the road who act like efwits..

However, can not help myself today. It was 06:40 hrs this morning, Athllon Drive, thick fog, out of the fog appears a douchebag , wearing lycra, has a ****ing kid in a seat at the rear, yet- absolutely NO rear or front lights at all (!!!), and nothing reflective/high visibility on him.
WTF is he thinking, being on the road like that, with a child, when bike lanes are available??
Why should I be considerate next time if idiots like this don’t even engage their mind to think of possible consequences?

Masquara for mully!

KB1971 said :

Since you’re sharing cyclist on pedestrian crossing stories, let me share my pedestrian (not quite) on pedestrian crossing story with you.

I was walking down Kings Avenue from Parliament House on the western side and approaching the intersection with National Circuit. There’s a slip lane there with a pedestrian crossing. As an aside here, why do they put pedestrian crossings on slip lanes, when pedestrians already have right of way?

Anyway, I was watching the traffic coming down Kings Avenue as I was about to step onto the crossing, and had to stop because there was a car turning left onto the slip lane where the driver clearly had no intention of giving way at the pedestrian crossing. He had to stop for the cross traffic, so I walked around behind his car, and as his window was open I said to him, “There’s a pedestrian crossing here, mate, and you almost ran me over.” His response was “Go f*ck yourself”, and he gave me the finger.

Sounds like you should get a ResQme in case you ever see a driver clearly in distress.

Jono said :

Masquara said :

Yes it was actually quite entertaining. They actually took themselves out of whatever schedule they were on (they appeared to be headed toward Bruce) to divert to Chinatown, just to shake their fists. What is it that makes cyclists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

Since you’re sharing cyclist on pedestrian crossing stories, let me share my pedestrian (not quite) on pedestrian crossing story with you.

I was walking down Kings Avenue from Parliament House on the western side and approaching the intersection with National Circuit. There’s a slip lane there with a pedestrian crossing. As an aside here, why do they put pedestrian crossings on slip lanes, when pedestrians already have right of way?

Anyway, I was watching the traffic coming down Kings Avenue as I was about to step onto the crossing, and had to stop because there was a car turning left onto the slip lane where the driver clearly had no intention of giving way at the pedestrian crossing. He had to stop for the cross traffic, so I walked around behind his car, and as his window was open I said to him, “There’s a pedestrian crossing here, mate, and you almost ran me over.” His response was “Go f*ck yourself”, and he gave me the finger.

The difference from your story, is that this bloke was a serious chance to kill somebody.

What is it that makes motorists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

Clap….clap….clap……

DrKoresh said :

Masquara said :

Well, I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had a motley crew of cyclists pursue me aggresively (probably on steroids) in Dickson (yes, shaking their fists!) after I tooted them when they were cycling across the pedestrian crossing. The vibe was quite Pistorian.

That I would have paid to see.

You probably could. Masquara’s life sounds like a Benny Hill movie.

Masquara said :

Yes it was actually quite entertaining. They actually took themselves out of whatever schedule they were on (they appeared to be headed toward Bruce) to divert to Chinatown, just to shake their fists. What is it that makes cyclists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

Since you’re sharing cyclist on pedestrian crossing stories, let me share my pedestrian (not quite) on pedestrian crossing story with you.

I was walking down Kings Avenue from Parliament House on the western side and approaching the intersection with National Circuit. There’s a slip lane there with a pedestrian crossing. As an aside here, why do they put pedestrian crossings on slip lanes, when pedestrians already have right of way?

Anyway, I was watching the traffic coming down Kings Avenue as I was about to step onto the crossing, and had to stop because there was a car turning left onto the slip lane where the driver clearly had no intention of giving way at the pedestrian crossing. He had to stop for the cross traffic, so I walked around behind his car, and as his window was open I said to him, “There’s a pedestrian crossing here, mate, and you almost ran me over.” His response was “Go f*ck yourself”, and he gave me the finger.

The difference from your story, is that this bloke was a serious chance to kill somebody.

What is it that makes motorists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

Recently purchased a ‘dashboard camera’ for the daily driver.

Catalyst for this was a near miss with a total, cycling, suicidal clot.

Yamba heading north, turning east into Hindmarsh. Front row of the grid at the lights. Lights turn green. As we move off, this unhelmetted, shorts wearing bicycling equivelent of a white Commodore driver, head down, arse up, headed through the intersection down Hindmarsh towards Woden at about 80K’s. He was a split second from very serious damage.

Also less than impressed with the cyclist who insisted on his god given right to cross the pedestrian crossing (on bike), heading west across Benjamin Way at the Belconnen Way intersection. Traffic heading south on Benjamin turning east onto Belco Way are checking to the west for traffic on Belco heading east. Bit of a suprise to find a cyclist heading west at full tilt onto the pedestrian crossing from your left. A degree of self preservation would be appreciated. Headstones reading ‘I was in the Right’ are not particularly useful.

These geese are in the minority, but give the 2 wheeled brigade a rotten image.

Masquara said :

Well, I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had a motley crew of cyclists pursue me aggresively (probably on steroids) in Dickson (yes, shaking their fists!) after I tooted them when they were cycling across the pedestrian crossing. The vibe was quite Pistorian.

I constantly find it amazing that drivers are completely aware of the fact that it is illegal to ride a bicycle across the road yet seem to be blissfully ignorant that it is also illegal to sound your horn to signal irritation.

After reading through this thread, I have come to the conclusion that anyone who has commented more than 7 times is a self-centred arse-muppet.

I ride a bicycle to work through Lyneham, O’Connor and Turner and I stay on bike paths as much as I can. Why can’t the lycra clad brigade do the same???

Masquara said :

What is it that makes cyclists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

The same reason that some drivers see cyclists as set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and somehow feel entitled to use (or at least threaten) their vehicle as a weapon ?

DrKoresh said :

Masquara said :

Well, I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had a motley crew of cyclists pursue me aggresively (probably on steroids) in Dickson (yes, shaking their fists!) after I tooted them when they were cycling across the pedestrian crossing. The vibe was quite Pistorian.

That I would have paid to see.

Yes it was actually quite entertaining. They actually took themselves out of whatever schedule they were on (they appeared to be headed toward Bruce) to divert to Chinatown, just to shake their fists. What is it that makes cyclists think they are somehow set apart from the rest of humanity, exempt from the road rules, and feeling entitled to apply such attitude all the time?

milkman said :

OpenYourMind said :

Just to top it all off, the original post should have been titled Why Car Drivers Enrage Cyclists. I ride sometimes and I drive sometimes. Try riding a bike for a while and you soon realise how many car drivers fail to obey the laws in relation to cyclists. Car drivers often fail to give way to cyclists (and motorcyclists) at intersections – as a cyclist and motorcyclist I am always prepared just in case this occurs. Car drivers often fail to realise that overtaking a bicycle – no matter how slowly it’s going, must be done in the same manner as overtaking another car, i.e. you can’t overtake a bicycle on double yellow lines etc.

In Australia, car drivers are the ones that are mostly at fault in bike vs car accidents (fact). It is us bike riders that should be angry. Fortunately for the most part we are too busy being sooo damn sexy that we don’t have time to be angry!

In the future, driving will be taking out of the hands of humans as, for the most part, humans are crap drivers. Once autonomous cars are driving, their programming will ensure they give way to bicycles, give bicycles a decent amount of space and overtake only where it is legal and safe to do so.

Hilarious. Written as though you believe it yourself.

What don’t you believe about it, milkman?

Masquara said :

Well, I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had a motley crew of cyclists pursue me aggresively (probably on steroids) in Dickson (yes, shaking their fists!) after I tooted them when they were cycling across the pedestrian crossing. The vibe was quite Pistorian.

That I would have paid to see.

Dilandach said :

However cyclists who fly through a red light don’t check on their way through, that’s what pisses people off. Their momentum is more important than the safety of others and if they get hit then it just *has* to be the fault of a driver instead of theirs for running a red light.

+1.

OpenYourMind said :

Just to top it all off, the original post should have been titled Why Car Drivers Enrage Cyclists. I ride sometimes and I drive sometimes. Try riding a bike for a while and you soon realise how many car drivers fail to obey the laws in relation to cyclists. Car drivers often fail to give way to cyclists (and motorcyclists) at intersections – as a cyclist and motorcyclist I am always prepared just in case this occurs. Car drivers often fail to realise that overtaking a bicycle – no matter how slowly it’s going, must be done in the same manner as overtaking another car, i.e. you can’t overtake a bicycle on double yellow lines etc.

In Australia, car drivers are the ones that are mostly at fault in bike vs car accidents (fact). It is us bike riders that should be angry. Fortunately for the most part we are too busy being sooo damn sexy that we don’t have time to be angry!

In the future, driving will be taking out of the hands of humans as, for the most part, humans are crap drivers. Once autonomous cars are driving, their programming will ensure they give way to bicycles, give bicycles a decent amount of space and overtake only where it is legal and safe to do so.

Hilarious. Written as though you believe it yourself.

Just to top it all off, the original post should have been titled Why Car Drivers Enrage Cyclists. I ride sometimes and I drive sometimes. Try riding a bike for a while and you soon realise how many car drivers fail to obey the laws in relation to cyclists. Car drivers often fail to give way to cyclists (and motorcyclists) at intersections – as a cyclist and motorcyclist I am always prepared just in case this occurs. Car drivers often fail to realise that overtaking a bicycle – no matter how slowly it’s going, must be done in the same manner as overtaking another car, i.e. you can’t overtake a bicycle on double yellow lines etc.

In Australia, car drivers are the ones that are mostly at fault in bike vs car accidents (fact). It is us bike riders that should be angry. Fortunately for the most part we are too busy being sooo damn sexy that we don’t have time to be angry!

In the future, driving will be taking out of the hands of humans as, for the most part, humans are crap drivers. Once autonomous cars are driving, their programming will ensure they give way to bicycles, give bicycles a decent amount of space and overtake only where it is legal and safe to do so.

Dilandach said :

Additionally, if drivers try to run a red light through a lot of the intersections in town they’ll end up with a pretty picture attached to a bill in the mail. Cyclists give the finger to the camera, they’ve got nothing to worry about in getting identified.

And this shows the real mentality of a significant percentage of motorists. It’s somehow more acceptable for a motorist to run a red light because they are more likely to get booked for it. The fact that they’re also far more likely to kill somebody by doing it is seemingly irrelevant. Why else is there such anger at cyclists running the lights, but there’s very little about motorists running the lights, which you’ll see a hundred times as often as you’ll see a cyclist doing it?

You’ve also said that it’s OK for pedestrians to ignore the road rules if they check that it’s clear – so presumably that also applies for cyclists at the lights too? If they check that the intersection is clear, and it’s obvious that they’re not going to cause anyone an injury, you’re happy for them to run the lights? The same logic applies. Personally, I’ve seen lots of cyclists run red lights, but I’ve never seen one sprint through without checking – but I’ve seen many cars do it at the change of lights.

To make it clear, I have no time for cyclists running the lights either. I would NEVER doing it when riding my bike. But I also know that a motorist running the lights is far more likely to kill someone than a cyclist doing it is, and I believe that that’s a far more serious problem on the road than cyclists or pedestrians ignoring the lights.

Dilandach said :

There’s a distinct difference between pedestrians crossing the road on a ‘red man’ or across the road where there is no crossing. They’re not sprinting through an intersection to get to the otherside, they’re crossing directly to the other side or crossing when they visibly can see no cars coming. However cyclists who fly through a red light don’t check on their way through, that’s what pisses people off. Their momentum is more important than the safety of others and if they get hit then it just *has* to be the fault of a driver instead of theirs for running a red light.

Additionally, if drivers try to run a red light through a lot of the intersections in town they’ll end up with a pretty picture attached to a bill in the mail. Cyclists give the finger to the camera, they’ve got nothing to worry about in getting identified.

Jono said :

kakosi said :

Not being difficult? Hmmm. A few weeks ago when Anzac Parade was reduced at one end to one lane I got stuck behind two very well kitted out cyclists – two abreast – forcing every car behind them to reduce speed and travel in first gear so as not to bump into the lovely fellows being “visible and forcing cars to drive safely”.

However, once we reached the red light I stopped but these two law-abiding fellows in front of me rode straight through. So cyclists ride two-abreast because it’s safer? Sure they do.

And this, to me, explains exactly why cyclists enrage some car drivers. Anyone on Canberra roads will see multiple motorists run the lights every day, but that seems to be OK. Stand by the lights at somewhere like the Melrose Drive / Hindmarsh Drive intersection and you’ll see it at every change during busy times.

And go into Civic during the morning rush and stand on Northbourne Avenue and you’ll see hundreds of pedestrians completely ignoring the lights and crossing illegally.

All of that seems be acceptable, as it’s not the red lights, it’s the fact that once in a while you have to slow down for cyclists (as has so annoyed kakosi here) that seems to infuriate people. After all sometimes (maybe once every couple of years), they’ll get to their destination maybe as much as two minutes later because of an encounter with a cyclist.

There’s a distinct difference between pedestrians crossing the road on a ‘red man’ or across the road where there is no crossing. They’re not sprinting through an intersection to get to the otherside, they’re crossing directly to the other side or crossing when they visibly can see no cars coming. However cyclists who fly through a red light don’t check on their way through, that’s what pisses people off. Their momentum is more important than the safety of others and if they get hit then it just *has* to be the fault of a driver instead of theirs for running a red light.

Masquara said :

Aeek said :

Masquara said :

Why is it that cyclists are so violent? If they aren’t waving their fists

Why do you find a human fist more threatening than a 2 tonne lump of metal and plastic?

Well, I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had a motley crew of cyclists pursue me aggresively (probably on steroids) in Dickson (yes, shaking their fists!) after I tooted them when they were cycling across the pedestrian crossing. The vibe was quite Pistorian.

This made me lol

Masquara said :

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

Could anything be more odd and apposite than a Mully for Canberra’s cyclists?

No, but you should get a smack in the chops for your idiotic comments about all cyclists being thieves who like cashmere…….

Why is it that cyclists are so violent? If they aren’t waving their fists at you on the road, they are making physical threats online! You’d think all that whirring their meaty legs around and around would get a bit of that aggro out of their systems …

Correction. Cyclists are so violent towards you. Guess you’re a particularly special sort of arsemuppet.

Aeek said :

Masquara said :

Why is it that cyclists are so violent? If they aren’t waving their fists

Why do you find a human fist more threatening than a 2 tonne lump of metal and plastic?

Well, I’ve never been in a car accident, but I have had a motley crew of cyclists pursue me aggresively (probably on steroids) in Dickson (yes, shaking their fists!) after I tooted them when they were cycling across the pedestrian crossing. The vibe was quite Pistorian.

KB1971 said :

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

Which bit of deliberately and un-necessarily do you not understand?
Did you actually read my post and what it was replying to? that is, cyclists riding two abreast.

I’m yet to see a pair of bobcats driving side by side because “they’re uncomfortable with being overtaken by faster traffic”. When I do I’ll let you know and recant.

DrKoresh said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

KB1971 said :

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

Hahahahahaha

Lordylordy. Backhoes on major roads are far more obstructive and dangerous than any bike rider.

Great points, kb.

Can’t think of any accident’s involving backhoes happening of late. Though I could probably point you at a few involving cyclists if you’d like. Hahahaha-ha-ha. Ha. Ha. Lordy, lordy.

And that’s why I like driving my Land Cruiser. King of the Road! And the rest of you can go and get farked for all I care.

DrKoresh said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

KB1971 said :

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

Hahahahahaha

Lordylordy. Backhoes on major roads are far more obstructive and dangerous than any bike rider.

Great points, kb.

Can’t think of any accident’s involving backhoes happening of late. Though I could probably point you at a few involving cyclists if you’d like. Hahahaha-ha-ha. Ha. Ha. Lordy, lordy.

Can you point me to said accidents then please?

DrKoresh said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

KB1971 said :

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

Hahahahahaha

Lordylordy. Backhoes on major roads are far more obstructive and dangerous than any bike rider.

Great points, kb.

Can’t think of any accident’s involving backhoes happening of late. Though I could probably point you at a few involving cyclists if you’d like. Hahahaha-ha-ha. Ha. Ha. Lordy, lordy.

Could be that bicycle riders outnumber backhoe drivers by a pretty good ratio (I am not even going to hazard a guess).

But have you ever seen how people on the Parkway react to a backhoe in peak our? Man………

My point is, we are all road users, we all travel at different speeds. One persons perception of another persons intent may be completely off. I have never ridden with the intent of obstructing traffic, I have ridden with the intent of not being run over. If that means that I move over in a lane that does not have enough room for both of us or I don’t ride on the line because of the road does not mean I am obstructing you on purpose.

Some of us need to just take a pill and share.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

KB1971 said :

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

Hahahahahaha

Lordylordy. Backhoes on major roads are far more obstructive and dangerous than any bike rider.

Great points, kb.

Can’t think of any accident’s involving backhoes happening of late. Though I could probably point you at a few involving cyclists if you’d like. Hahahaha-ha-ha. Ha. Ha. Lordy, lordy.

Masquara said :

Why is it that cyclists are so violent? If they aren’t waving their fists

Why do you find a human fist more threatening than a 2 tonne lump of metal and plastic?

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

Could anything be more odd and apposite than a Mully for Canberra’s cyclists?

No, but you should get a smack in the chops for your idiotic comments about all cyclists being thieves who like cashmere…….

Why is it that cyclists are so violent? If they aren’t waving their fists at you on the road, they are making physical threats online! You’d think all that whirring their meaty legs around and around would get a bit of that aggro out of their systems …

KB1971 said :

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

Hahahahahaha

Lordylordy. Backhoes on major roads are far more obstructive and dangerous than any bike rider.

Great points, kb.

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So what makes you think a cyclist is any more deliberately obstructing traffic than a bobcat driver on the Parkway at 8am? You think he gives a shit about anything else other than getting to work?

You need to re-think your prejudice……

KB1971 said :

Very Busy said :

A WARNING TO ROAD USERS – YOU ARE SHARING THE SPACE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE OF A PEANUT!!!!

Who, car drivers?

Yep. as well as the operators of trucks, recumbents, bikes, buses, recumbents, police cars, recumbents, recumbents, vans, utes, recumbents just to name a few. Oh yeh plus recumbents.

Tetranitrate said :

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

So you drive with your eyes shut then?

KB1971 said :

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Just fine thanks. I’ve yet to see either of those deliberately and un-necessarily obstructing traffic.

gazket said :

there is too many leotard wearing cyclists in Canberra , where the hell are they coming from and why are they coming to Canberra, can’t they live in Hobart

gazket Gillespie?

Tetranitrate said :

nescius said :

Typically cyclists riding two abreast aren’t doing so to be difficult, rather they are doing so to be visible and to force drivers to overtake safely.

So they’re not doing so to be difficult, they’re doing so to be difficult?
What narcissistic pricks you guys are. You’ll deliberately get in peoples way and back up traffic just because you’re ‘uncomfortable’ being overtaken? Here’s a thought – if you’re not comfortable being overtaken by cars at 60 or 80km/h, don’t travel on roads with those limits, because it’s pretty much inevitable given your mode of transportation.

How do you go with old people in caravans? Or backhoe drivers?

Masquara said :

Could anything be more odd and apposite than a Mully for Canberra’s cyclists?

No, but you should get a smack in the chops for your idiotic comments about all cyclists being thieves who like cashmere…….

Very Busy said :

nescius said :

Typically cyclists riding two abreast aren’t doing so to be difficult, rather they are doing so to be visible and to force drivers to overtake safely. Single file cycling on narrow roads encourages dangerously close overtaking, riding wider and two abreast makes the driver slow down and wait for a safe opportunity to overtake properly (i.e. not in the same lane). Experience has shown me that drivers will pass with very little room for error at high speed if you don’t force them to do otherwise.

Yeh this is the best. It is a great tactic that pedestrians should also use. When you’re wanting to cross the road, you should just step out into the path of approaching vehicles. This makes them slow down so that you can safely cross the road.

A WARNING TO ROAD USERS – YOU ARE SHARING THE SPACE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE OF A PEANUT!!!!

Who, car drivers?

Jono said :

kakosi said :

Not being difficult? Hmmm. A few weeks ago when Anzac Parade was reduced at one end to one lane I got stuck behind two very well kitted out cyclists – two abreast – forcing every car behind them to reduce speed and travel in first gear so as not to bump into the lovely fellows being “visible and forcing cars to drive safely”.

However, once we reached the red light I stopped but these two law-abiding fellows in front of me rode straight through. So cyclists ride two-abreast because it’s safer? Sure they do.

And this, to me, explains exactly why cyclists enrage some car drivers. Anyone on Canberra roads will see multiple motorists run the lights every day, but that seems to be OK. Stand by the lights at somewhere like the Melrose Drive / Hindmarsh Drive intersection and you’ll see it at every change during busy times.

And go into Civic during the morning rush and stand on Northbourne Avenue and you’ll see hundreds of pedestrians completely ignoring the lights and crossing illegally.

All of that seems be acceptable, as it’s not the red lights, it’s the fact that once in a while you have to slow down for cyclists (as has so annoyed kakosi here) that seems to infuriate people. After all sometimes (maybe once every couple of years), they’ll get to their destination maybe as much as two minutes later because of an encounter with a cyclist.

YES, YES, YES!!!!!!

Very Busy said :

Yeh this is the best. It is a great tactic that pedestrians should also use. When you’re wanting to cross the road, you should just step out into the path of approaching vehicles.

Um. a) pedestrians already do that all the time b) it’s illegal; it is ok however to already be in the path.

there is too many leotard wearing cyclists in Canberra , where the hell are they coming from and why are they coming to Canberra, can’t they live in Hobart

I got cut off yesterday by a twat whilst driving at 80. He was riding on the footpath on the other side of the road, decided he bolt past the two lanes on the adjacent side of the road, cut across the grassy middle then cut me off. Then he proceeds to flip me off after I honked at him.

That’s why people hate cyclists. And it grinds my gears because I too am a cyclist.

nescius said :

Typically cyclists riding two abreast aren’t doing so to be difficult, rather they are doing so to be visible and to force drivers to overtake safely.

So they’re not doing so to be difficult, they’re doing so to be difficult?
What narcissistic pricks you guys are. You’ll deliberately get in peoples way and back up traffic just because you’re ‘uncomfortable’ being overtaken? Here’s a thought – if you’re not comfortable being overtaken by cars at 60 or 80km/h, don’t travel on roads with those limits, because it’s pretty much inevitable given your mode of transportation.

Masquara said :

Could anything be more odd and apposite than a Mully for Canberra’s cyclists?

But it’s the drivers who are enraged.

Could anything be more odd and apposite than a Mully for Canberra’s cyclists?

nescius said :

Typically cyclists riding two abreast aren’t doing so to be difficult, rather they are doing so to be visible and to force drivers to overtake safely. Single file cycling on narrow roads encourages dangerously close overtaking, riding wider and two abreast makes the driver slow down and wait for a safe opportunity to overtake properly (i.e. not in the same lane). Experience has shown me that drivers will pass with very little room for error at high speed if you don’t force them to do otherwise.

Yeh this is the best. It is a great tactic that pedestrians should also use. When you’re wanting to cross the road, you should just step out into the path of approaching vehicles. This makes them slow down so that you can safely cross the road.

A WARNING TO ROAD USERS – YOU ARE SHARING THE SPACE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE OF A PEANUT!!!!

kakosi said :

Not being difficult? Hmmm. A few weeks ago when Anzac Parade was reduced at one end to one lane I got stuck behind two very well kitted out cyclists – two abreast – forcing every car behind them to reduce speed and travel in first gear so as not to bump into the lovely fellows being “visible and forcing cars to drive safely”.

However, once we reached the red light I stopped but these two law-abiding fellows in front of me rode straight through. So cyclists ride two-abreast because it’s safer? Sure they do.

And this, to me, explains exactly why cyclists enrage some car drivers. Anyone on Canberra roads will see multiple motorists run the lights every day, but that seems to be OK. Stand by the lights at somewhere like the Melrose Drive / Hindmarsh Drive intersection and you’ll see it at every change during busy times. And go into Civic during the morning rush and stand on Northbourne Avenue and you’ll see hundreds of pedestrians completely ignoring the lights and crossing illegally.

All of that seems be acceptable, as it’s not the red lights, it’s the fact that once in a while you have to slow down for cyclists (as has so annoyed kakosi here) that seems to infuriate people. After all sometimes (maybe once every couple of years), they’ll get to their destination maybe as much as two minutes later because of an encounter with a cyclist.

Holden Caulfield said :

Good distinction, but what about the inner north hipsters who ride at night in ultra cool day-glo black attire with no lights?

If they’re riding a fixie with no brakes and aren’t wearing a helmet, then treat them as a legitimate target, whether you’re on a bike or in a car. There are quite a few such specimens running the O’Connor/Lyneham shared path of an afternoon. Their wide slalom braking technique when approaching roads is wonderful for other cyclists!

TheObserver said :

There really needs to be a distinction drawn between cyclists and lycrists. Most of the hatred really is intended for the latter and often with good reason. But here we have a peculiar balance. Many lycrists seem intent on exiting this mortal plane ASAP. Unfortunately there are many drivers who would be only too happy to oblige. Declaration – I cycle but I stick to the paths where-ever possible and this is not because of the cars – but using a bike lane I am sick of the abuse from the lycrists who generally behave like Commodore drivers.

Good distinction, but what about the inner north hipsters who ride at night in ultra cool day-glo black attire with no lights?

I wish they would stick to the shared paths too.

nescius said :

davo101 said :

nescius said :

tl;dr – Two abreast is legal, three abreast is legal if one is passing the other two.

And three riding abreast is illegal as I said.

Your post was ambiguous, it could have been taken to mean that two or three abreast was illegal. I was pointing out that it is not illegal to ride two abreast, and further to that it is not illegal to ride three abreast for short periods (you have to ride next to someone in order to overtake them).

Typically cyclists riding two abreast aren’t doing so to be difficult, rather they are doing so to be visible and to force drivers to overtake safely. Single file cycling on narrow roads encourages dangerously close overtaking, riding wider and two abreast makes the driver slow down and wait for a safe opportunity to overtake properly (i.e. not in the same lane). Experience has shown me that drivers will pass with very little room for error at high speed if you don’t force them to do otherwise.

Not being difficult? Hmmm. A few weeks ago when Anzac Parade was reduced at one end to one lane I got stuck behind two very well kitted out cyclists – two abreast – forcing every car behind them to reduce speed and travel in first gear so as not to bump into the lovely fellows being “visible and forcing cars to drive safely”.

However, once we reached the red light I stopped but these two law-abiding fellows in front of me rode straight through. So cyclists ride two-abreast because it’s safer? Sure they do.

77Eliza said :

Postalgeek said :

HiddenDragon said :

Having said that, thank you to the red head the other day who was riding in a short skirt. I appreciated the draft.

hmm- I hope there are some other red heads who ride in to work in skirts…maybe I should add some tights. What’s a draft?

Hey where is my romo when I need it?

davo101 said :

nescius said :

tl;dr – Two abreast is legal, three abreast is legal if one is passing the other two.

And three riding abreast is illegal as I said.

Your post was ambiguous, it could have been taken to mean that two or three abreast was illegal. I was pointing out that it is not illegal to ride two abreast, and further to that it is not illegal to ride three abreast for short periods (you have to ride next to someone in order to overtake them).

Typically cyclists riding two abreast aren’t doing so to be difficult, rather they are doing so to be visible and to force drivers to overtake safely. Single file cycling on narrow roads encourages dangerously close overtaking, riding wider and two abreast makes the driver slow down and wait for a safe opportunity to overtake properly (i.e. not in the same lane). Experience has shown me that drivers will pass with very little room for error at high speed if you don’t force them to do otherwise.

TheObserver said :

Declaration – I cycle but I stick to the paths where-ever possible and this is not because of the cars – but using a bike lane I am sick of the abuse from the lycrists.

Why? What are you doing? Not riding the wrong way? Its a lane on the road NOT a path.
Another good trick is to enter without looking for anyone else.

nescius said :

tl;dr – Two abreast is legal, three abreast is legal if one is passing the other two.

And three riding abreast is illegal as I said.

There really needs to be a distinction drawn between cyclists and lycrists. Most of the hatred really is intended for the latter and often with good reason. But here we have a peculiar balance. Many lycrists seem intent on exiting this mortal plane ASAP. Unfortunately there are many drivers who would be only too happy to oblige. Declaration – I cycle but I stick to the paths where-ever possible and this is not because of the cars – but using a bike lane I am sick of the abuse from the lycrists who generally behave like Commodore drivers.

Alderney said :

I too ride and the one crash I did have, the helmet either saved my life or it saved my wife from wiping my dribble and feeding me for the next 20 – 30 years.

There may be anecdotal evidence but the truth is, that there is no reliable evidence that proves that cyclists wearing helmets saves lives or prevents serious injury.

Cyclists not wearing helmets tend to be more cautious. Helmets make little or no difference if the crash involves a motorised vehicle.

There are whole countries of idiots out there not wearing helmets. With some of the highest rates of bicycle commuters in the world and a very low injury rate.

But what gets me most is if drivers yell at me to wear a helmet. In an angry tone. Whilst getting seriously distracted behind the wheel of their speeding death trap. WTF?!

(I do drive a car every day these days!)

davo101 said :

Tetranitrate said :

I don’t care if it’s legal.

It’s not legal.

From the “Australian Road Rules”
(http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/db_37271/current/pdf/db_37271.pdf)

Riding a motor bike or bicycle alongside more
than 1 other rider
(1) The rider of a motor bike or bicycle must not ride on a road
that is not a multi-lane road alongside more than 1 other
rider, unless subrule (3) applies to the rider.
Offence provision.
Note Bicycle, motor bike and multi-lane road are defined in the
dictionary, and rider is defined in rule 17.

(2) The rider of a motor bike or bicycle must not ride in a
marked lane alongside more than 1 other rider in the marked
lane, unless subrule (3) applies to the rider.
Offence provision.
Note Marked lane is defined in the dictionary.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at http://www.legislation.act.gov.au
Keeping left, overtaking and other driving rules Part 11
Driving in marked lanes or lines of traffic Division 4
Australian Road Rules – February 2008 version 143

(3) The rider of a motor bike or bicycle may ride alongside
more than 1 other rider if the rider is:
(a) overtaking the other riders; or
(b) permitted to do so under another law of this
jurisdiction.
Note Overtake is defined in the dictionary.

(4) If the rider of a motor bike or bicycle is riding on a road that
is not a multi-lane road alongside another rider, or in a
marked lane alongside another rider in the marked lane, the
rider must ride not over 1.5 metres from the other rider.
Offence provision.

(5) In this rule:
road does not include a road-related area, but includes a
bicycle path, shared path and any shoulder of the road.
Note Bicycle path is defined in rule 239, road-related area is defined
in rule 13, shared path is defined in rule 242, and shoulder is defined in
rule 12.

tl;dr – Two abreast is legal, three abreast is legal if one is passing the other two.

77Eliza said :

Postalgeek said :

HiddenDragon said :

Having said that, thank you to the red head the other day who was riding in a short skirt. I appreciated the draft.

hmm- I hope there are some other red heads who ride in to work in skirts…maybe I should add some tights. What’s a draft?

+ a bazillion.

davo101 said :

Tetranitrate said :

I don’t care if it’s legal.

It’s not legal.

2 abreast is legal. Drivers confusing the legal with the illegal is a major cause of angst.

Tetranitrate said :

I don’t care if it’s legal.

It’s not legal.

Postalgeek said :

HiddenDragon said :

Having said that, thank you to the red head the other day who was riding in a short skirt. I appreciated the draft.

hmm- I hope there are some other red heads who ride in to work in skirts…maybe I should add some tights. What’s a draft?

I truly don’t care about them transitioning to ‘pedestrians’ to get around traffic lights, what bothers me is when they obstruct traffic for no discernible reason – riding two or three abreast on Coppins crossing, Cotter, and Uriara roads. I don’t care if it’s legal, it’s extraordinarily inconsiderate to drivers, who have to drop down to a fraction of the speed limit (backing up traffic if there are cars behind) until they can safely overtake, and it’s especially bad on Coppins Crossing and Uriara roads as they’re not simply windy country roads, but also a route between Belconnen and Western Creek.
There’s no good reason for this sort of behavior – to deliberately obstruct the road like that ‘because they can’ is just plain obnoxious.

“What a bizarre post”…

It is not that strange really: if you only travel at up to 25km/h on a bmx over a bike path that has only pedestrians and a couple others on bikes (the rest exposing themselves to death on Canberra Ave) then there is no need for a helmet.
Of course that takes into account being disciplined, i.e. knowing your environment. If you are a poor driver, more often than not it will also apply to how you walk and pedal.
The majority of folks should have a motorbike license before a car: it forces one to observe all factors on and off the road, to read ahead and use the spatial/timing skills developed on Ataris.
If everyone developed a bit more discipline and applied it equally then I believe there would be less angst on and off the roads.

I also agree with lostinbias, being considerate to others does not require a bell…just slow down, wait and say hello as you pass. Nothing beats being polite to other road/path users.

kumadude said :

I ride from Queanbeyan to Fyshwick every day along the bike tracks. I do not wear a helmet due to my belief if you are so uncoordinated and you come off a bike…you deserve to die for humaniry.
But, I regularly see the lycra crew taking Canberra ave along the road going back and forth. Why the **** would you take the road when you have a better gradient along the footpaths…..cause the lycra wearing tools.
The only people that I remembered wearing lycra were fat chicks in the 90’s….why would you want your balls all sweaty and sticky before work.
It really does g**, especially considering their mainly old men. (Did u wear lycra when you were a kid?).
The only time I wear a helmet is when I am doing 60kms/h and above when riding the motored bike. I love pasting the lycra old men with carbon and decibels.

What a bizarre post. I’m not sure you are trying to say anything at all. Except maybe you’re a bit of an idiot for not wearing a helmet.

I too ride and the one crash I did have, the helmet either saved my life or it saved my wife from wiping my dribble and feeding me for the next 20 – 30 years.

Agree with the Deref comment re you wearing a braclet.

tuco said :

davo101 said :

Solidarity said :

People have been rallying cars around the cotter area since the 1920’s. Mountain bikes only started to exist in the 70’s. Just sayin’.

The first organised bicycle race in Australia was held in 1869. Just sayin’.

And walking upright trumps them all. Outta my way – I’m a biped!

Floating for 3.6 billion years. Outta my way – I’m a prokaryote.

kakosi said :

However, crap car drivers are easier to spot on a road and when they do the wrong thing you can take down their license numbers and report them.[/quote>

WHAT ??? The cowards who zoom off into the distance before I have time to blink.

I have to disagree, I’m equally enraged by crap drivers as I am by crap cyclists.

However, crap car drivers are easier to spot on a road and when they do the wrong thing you can take down their license numbers and report them.

RabbleRabbleRabbleAllcyclistsarejerksRabbleRabbleRabbleAllmotoristsarepsychopathsRabbleRabbleRabble

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…

kumadude said :

Yeh, sorry. I type as drunk as as I ride. Doesnt make any difference though, you still look like a pansy with latex, sorry lycra.

I’m glad someone mentioned riding drunk! I ride drunk. I also don’t have lights or a helmet, because my eyes are good enough to see in the dark and I find helmets to be uncomfortable. Oh yeah, and I ride across pedestrian crossings, though to my credit I always slow down. I’m that cyclist you were warned about and I’m in YOUR suburb, so watch out!

Still, I don’t wear lycra and I try to avoid riding on the road mostly because I worry a car will clean me up. So pedestrians probably hate me too. I don’t use my bell but I’ll wait until I can overtake you wide enough that you’re safe and shouldn’t complain unless you’re neurotic or old.

Haters gonna hate…

davo101 said :

Solidarity said :

People have been rallying cars around the cotter area since the 1920’s. Mountain bikes only started to exist in the 70’s. Just sayin’.

The first organised bicycle race in Australia was held in 1869. Just sayin’.

And walking upright trumps them all. Outta my way – I’m a biped!

aidan said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

If you see someone with a dog then just slow right down.

I do, but can we spread it around to dog owners with pets off-leash that they should go to their pet and restrain it, rather than stand calling for the dog to come to them. In my experience the pets rarely comply, and if they did, more often than not it would result in them getting hit by my bike as I’m generally dodging the owner which means going between them and their pet.

In this case I agree 100%.

If you take your dog on a populated area, keep it on a lead.

kumadude said :

Yeh, sorry. I type as drunk as as I ride.

That’s not an excuse! It’s gives literate drunks a bad name.

Yeh, sorry. I type as drunk as as I ride. Doesnt make any difference though, you still look like a pansy with latex, sorry lycra.

kumadude said :

I ride from Queanbeyan to Fyshwick every day along the bike tracks. I do not wear a helmet due to my belief if you are so uncoordinated and you come off a bike…you deserve to die for humaniry.

If you could be sure of dying I’d be as happy as humaniry would. Unfortunately you’d probably only end up with permanent brain damage which, if anybody noticed, would mean that we’d have to support you for the rest of your life.

Maybe if you wore a bracelet that said something like “in case of bike-induced injury excluding death, please kill me”…

I ride from Queanbeyan to Fyshwick every day along the bike tracks. I do not wear a helmet due to my belief if you are so uncoordinated and you come off a bike…you deserve to die for humaniry.
But, I regularly see the lycra crew taking Canberra ave along the road going back and forth. Why the **** would you take the road when you have a better gradient along the footpaths…..cause the lycra wearing tools.
The only people that I remembered wearing lycra were fat chicks in the 90’s….why would you want your balls all sweaty and sticky before work.
It really does g**, especially considering their mainly old men. (Did u wear lycra when you were a kid?).
The only time I wear a helmet is when I am doing 60kms/h and above when riding the motored bike. I love pasting the lycra old men with carbon and decibels.

Solidarity said :

People have been rallying cars around the cotter area since the 1920’s. Mountain bikes only started to exist in the 70’s. Just sayin’.

The first organised bicycle race in Australia was held in 1869. Just sayin’.

bugmenot said :

FGC said :

scabbers29 said :

For me it’s mostly the fact that they get the roads closed for them so they can race. Closing off the whole of the Cotter to families who would go out and picnic/swim and generally enjoy the countryside. How is it that a group of people who whilst on their bikes, pay no monies to the ACT Govt for the upkeep of said roads are allowed to have them closed to the general car driving, money paying, public?

Well on this basis, you are also staunchly opposed to the Canberra Times Funrun, the Tour de Femme, the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon and any other charity events that involve closing roads to be used by people who have the nerve to appear not to be driving a symbol of the fact that they pay rego? You would also be opposed to the Multicultural Festival, Floriade, fireworks displays and NYE celebrations in the city.

If not, your argument is without substance. If so, you should consider moving somewhere that’s a little less exciting than Canberra.

And don’t forget about the car fanatics (yeah, enthusiasts) that are closing the tracks of innocent mountain bikers (who usually stay off the roads anyway).
Expect more bikes around next weekend as the East Kowen MTB tracks are closed for the Canberra Rally.
Why must you cars invade our quiet off-road spots, too? (same goes for trail bikes using MTB tracks – eek! not legal, but it happens.)

People have been rallying cars around the cotter area since the 1920’s. Mountain bikes only started to exist in the 70’s. Just sayin’.

FGC said :

scabbers29 said :

For me it’s mostly the fact that they get the roads closed for them so they can race. Closing off the whole of the Cotter to families who would go out and picnic/swim and generally enjoy the countryside. How is it that a group of people who whilst on their bikes, pay no monies to the ACT Govt for the upkeep of said roads are allowed to have them closed to the general car driving, money paying, public?

Well on this basis, you are also staunchly opposed to the Canberra Times Funrun, the Tour de Femme, the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon and any other charity events that involve closing roads to be used by people who have the nerve to appear not to be driving a symbol of the fact that they pay rego? You would also be opposed to the Multicultural Festival, Floriade, fireworks displays and NYE celebrations in the city.

If not, your argument is without substance. If so, you should consider moving somewhere that’s a little less exciting than Canberra.

And don’t forget about the car fanatics (yeah, enthusiasts) that are closing the tracks of innocent mountain bikers (who usually stay off the roads anyway).
Expect more bikes around next weekend as the East Kowen MTB tracks are closed for the Canberra Rally.
Why must you cars invade our quiet off-road spots, too? (same goes for trail bikes using MTB tracks – eek! not legal, but it happens.)

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

If you see someone with a dog then just slow right down.

I do, but can we spread it around to dog owners with pets off-leash that they should go to their pet and restrain it, rather than stand calling for the dog to come to them. In my experience the pets rarely comply, and if they did, more often than not it would result in them getting hit by my bike as I’m generally dodging the owner which means going between them and their pet.

Bosworth said :

I once saw a cyclist do Something that I did not like.

Can someone please advise me on how to appropriately respond?

Hot poker to each eye. Problem fixed.

Bosworth said :

I once saw a cyclist do Something that I did not like.

Can someone please advise me on how to appropriately respond?

Throw stubbies at all cyclists because they all stole you cashmere jumper…..
Hahahaha!

Bosworth said :

I once saw a cyclist do Something that I did not like.

Can someone please advise me on how to appropriately respond?

I have a similar query, as I also saw not only a cyclist do something silly, but also a motorist. And some dude walked on the wrong bit of road.

Presumably I can get compensation for this…?

Masquara said :

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

On your point, you think any other group or association would not have had a different outcome?

Whoah – you think that’s normal behaviour? Yes, I’d say pretty much any other group or association would have taken out their rubbish and removed their chairs. And not stolen someone’s black jumper.
I guess your post means I can rest my case!

Hang on – a black jumper? Bicycles? Coffee cups? Sounds like hipsters!

Postalgeek said :

dpm said :

Masquara said :

I don’t like to tar all cyclists with the same brush, but misbehaviour by the peak body i would think is pretty indicative. A few years ago I participated in a two-day workshop in the conference room of a hotel in the inner south. As we were preparing to leave the room (with our stuff in it, as it would be locked up) we were asked by the hotel managers if we minded if the cycling peak body, who were staying in the hotel and had neglected to book a conference room, could ask a big favour and use our room just for the evening for a meeting. We were told they would not touch our stuff, and would pull the chairs to the front of the room and then return them, so we could leave our stuff in place on the tables. I left a $300 cashmere jumper in the room (on the table) – it was among several items missing from our stuff the next day. Yep: thieves. And they left dirty cups and a massive mess in the room for us, besides not returning the chairs to our tables. Yep. That’s how the peak body, the Cyclists’ Association or some such, behaved in response to a freebie and favour.

So because you got some stuff stolen at a conference once, now ALL cyclists communiting to work etc are dirty, thieving b#@tards? Yep, I can see the logic in that….

I’m guessing the people who borrowed your conf room were the *only* people who had access to the room between when you left and the next morning….?

It’s just Nature’s way of saying Masquara is too stupid to have nice things.

Haha, I thought of it as an advertisement for the need to wear helmets.

I once saw a cyclist do Something that I did not like.

Can someone please advise me on how to appropriately respond?

johnboy said :

electric bikes is easy, over 200W engines need to be registered.

Yeah but…. most electric bikes are over 200W and getting rego on something like a push bike with an electric motor is a bit far fetched….

dpm said :

Masquara said :

I don’t like to tar all cyclists with the same brush, but misbehaviour by the peak body i would think is pretty indicative. A few years ago I participated in a two-day workshop in the conference room of a hotel in the inner south. As we were preparing to leave the room (with our stuff in it, as it would be locked up) we were asked by the hotel managers if we minded if the cycling peak body, who were staying in the hotel and had neglected to book a conference room, could ask a big favour and use our room just for the evening for a meeting. We were told they would not touch our stuff, and would pull the chairs to the front of the room and then return them, so we could leave our stuff in place on the tables. I left a $300 cashmere jumper in the room (on the table) – it was among several items missing from our stuff the next day. Yep: thieves. And they left dirty cups and a massive mess in the room for us, besides not returning the chairs to our tables. Yep. That’s how the peak body, the Cyclists’ Association or some such, behaved in response to a freebie and favour.

So because you got some stuff stolen at a conference once, now ALL cyclists communiting to work etc are dirty, thieving b#@tards? Yep, I can see the logic in that….

I’m guessing the people who borrowed your conf room were the *only* people who had access to the room between when you left and the next morning….?

It’s just Nature’s way of saying Masquara is too stupid to have nice things.

Masquara said :

I don’t like to tar all cyclists with the same brush, but misbehaviour by the peak body i would think is pretty indicative. A few years ago I participated in a two-day workshop in the conference room of a hotel in the inner south. As we were preparing to leave the room (with our stuff in it, as it would be locked up) we were asked by the hotel managers if we minded if the cycling peak body, who were staying in the hotel and had neglected to book a conference room, could ask a big favour and use our room just for the evening for a meeting. We were told they would not touch our stuff, and would pull the chairs to the front of the room and then return them, so we could leave our stuff in place on the tables. I left a $300 cashmere jumper in the room (on the table) – it was among several items missing from our stuff the next day. Yep: thieves. And they left dirty cups and a massive mess in the room for us, besides not returning the chairs to our tables. Yep. That’s how the peak body, the Cyclists’ Association or some such, behaved in response to a freebie and favour.

So because you got some stuff stolen at a conference once, now ALL cyclists communiting to work etc are dirty, thieving b#@tards? Yep, I can see the logic in that….

I’m guessing the people who borrowed your conf room were the *only* people who had access to the room between when you left and the next morning….?

Masquara said :

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

On your point, you think any other group or association would not have had a different outcome?

Whoah – you think that’s normal behaviour? Yes, I’d say pretty much any other group or association would have taken out their rubbish and removed their chairs. And not stolen someone’s black jumper.
I guess your post means I can rest my case!

No I don’t think its normal behavior, I am saying it can happen anywhere, anytime with any particular group depending on who the individuals are.

You gave them the opportunity to steal the stuff, people are opportunists and will take things if they think they can get away with it.

I have attended many cycling events set up in paddocks with many thousands of dollars of bikes and gear sitting around in pit row tents and camping areas unsecured. I only ever hear occasionally that a bike or some gear gets stolen & that is in larger events where there are thousands of spectators walking around as well.

So no, cyclists are not the thieving scum you make them out to be.

I had a hydrapack stolen from a work car by one of my workmates (a close one at that as they were the only ones that knew it was there). Yep I was cranky but I left it there, I have always been taught to look after my stuff and keep it secure. Trusting a motel who has over booked functions to look after your stuff when another group is in the room is really nieve.

I don’t think there’s too much of a problem here. Most of us don’t have an issue and we all get along well together, it’s just a vocal minority.

But I reckon there are a few different reasons for those who abuse. The first is for those who can’t handle being held up for even a second. Touching that middle pedal means delaying their arrival at the next set of lights. To be fair I think there are quite a few cyclists who have this problem on the bike paths as well.

Another is jealousy. Those drivers waiting at red lights while watching a cyclist flick over to the path to use the green walk sign, then back on to the road. These cyclists aren’t bothering anyone. They’re not in danger. It’s just that those drivers are jealous that they can’t do this as well.

As for pedestrian crossings I think it’s just something a driver has over a cyclist. It’s their payback. To make a cyclist get off their bike to walk across really makes their day – so much that they don’t even worry about making that next set of lights a few seconds less faster. It must be that because I really don’t think they abuse you because they’re concerned about your safety…

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

On your point, you think any other group or association would not have had a different outcome?

Whoah – you think that’s normal behaviour? Yes, I’d say pretty much any other group or association would have taken out their rubbish and removed their chairs. And not stolen someone’s black jumper.
I guess your post means I can rest my case!

thebrownstreak69 said :

carnardly said :

And he got a healthy dose of attitude when I commented on his absence of a bell (a legal requirement for all cycles actually). All recorded.

Technically that isn’t correct.

He needed an audible warning device. That could be a horn, siren, or something that plays the mexican hat dance.

It isn’t a legal requirement for a bike to have a bell specifically.

Common misconception – but i get the point you’re trying to make.

Does the rider’s voice count?

No. A voice does not carry, and is often hard to hear over traffic. A bell penetrates well and EVERYONE knows without looking that it is a bicycle bell. Most (yes not all) people know to keep left when they hear a bell. The more people with them and using them, the better pedestrians will get to reacting appropriately when they are sounded.

A bell also penetrates when people have earphones in. A voice will not, in the slightest.

It’s about my skin – and yours too. Because guaranteed, if we go down in a heap – because you didn’t allow for a person dodging a bump or stick or glass – then both of us are going to get hurt.

Masquara said :

I don’t like to tar all cyclists with the same brush, but misbehaviour by the peak body i would think is pretty indicative. A few years ago I participated in a two-day workshop in the conference room of a hotel in the inner south. As we were preparing to leave the room (with our stuff in it, as it would be locked up) we were asked by the hotel managers if we minded if the cycling peak body, who were staying in the hotel and had neglected to book a conference room, could ask a big favour and use our room just for the evening for a meeting. We were told they would not touch our stuff, and would pull the chairs to the front of the room and then return them, so we could leave our stuff in place on the tables. I left a $300 cashmere jumper in the room (on the table) – it was among several items missing from our stuff the next day. Yep: thieves. And they left dirty cups and a massive mess in the room for us, besides not returning the chairs to our tables. Yep. That’s how the peak body, the Cyclists’ Association or some such, behaved in response to a freebie and favour.

You don’t like to tar them with the same brush but you do anyway?

So life generally tells you not to leave valuables lying around. The hotel “guaranteed” you nothing would be touched but it was, sounds to me that they are just as responsible as the thieves for the loss. Having said that, if I had a $300 jumper, I would not leave it lying around anywhere it could get taken.

On your point, you think any other group or association would not have had a different outcome?

If you see someone with a dog then just slow right down.

No, dogs exhibit far higher intelligence than pedestrians. They’re quite aware when cyclists are approaching. Indeed, dogs are the only beings that seem to consistently heed the “stay left” principle.

If only pedestrains, did!

I don’t like to tar all cyclists with the same brush, but misbehaviour by the peak body i would think is pretty indicative. A few years ago I participated in a two-day workshop in the conference room of a hotel in the inner south. As we were preparing to leave the room (with our stuff in it, as it would be locked up) we were asked by the hotel managers if we minded if the cycling peak body, who were staying in the hotel and had neglected to book a conference room, could ask a big favour and use our room just for the evening for a meeting. We were told they would not touch our stuff, and would pull the chairs to the front of the room and then return them, so we could leave our stuff in place on the tables. I left a $300 cashmere jumper in the room (on the table) – it was among several items missing from our stuff the next day. Yep: thieves. And they left dirty cups and a massive mess in the room for us, besides not returning the chairs to our tables. Yep. That’s how the peak body, the Cyclists’ Association or some such, behaved in response to a freebie and favour.

Why do people who call for bicycles to be registered also call for it to cost money?
Rego bikes by all means but make it free as that will surely guarantee harmony on our highways and byways…

KB1971 said :

So, all you people who say that bike should have rego and rego plates so they can be identifiable…………have you ever reported a car running a red light or speeding as they pass you on a blind corner?

I bet the cops just yawned (they have at me).

1000’s of cars are moving at any one time in Canberra with people doing stupid things by the minute with every one identifiable, nothing get done because it would waste too much time investigating something that “may” have been dangerous.

The only reason I would advocate rego plates for bikes is to report them. You just changed my mind. No I have never reported any driver for anything and drivers have done far worse to me than any cyclist has.

Ronald_Coase said :

It’s hard to know who to quote on the bell-versus-voice debate, but let’s just think about this pragmatically.

The difference with a bell and a vocal warning is the soundwave. What evidence is there that a high-pitched strike of a metal alloy is superior to a vocal warning?

A high-pitched sound is probably better, but the vast majority of pedestrians that don’t heed a bell also don’t heed a vocal warning. So it’s really a matter of what works, not silly by-laws and whether a voice box is a mechanical/warning device.

As both a cyclist, pedestrian and driver, the obvious problem is that (a) cyclists can scare the bejeezus out of pedestrians both when a bell is struck or not because they approach relatively fast and (b) any regular cyclist encounters many pedestrians that pay no heed to any warning either because they’re enjoying the scenery or they’re listening to an iPod etc. so the cyclist probably reasons it’s better just to go around and avoid them with no warning.

But can we all please admit, FFS, this is a first-world problem. You’ve got more chance of dying aka Steve Irwin than dying by cyclist.

So get over it you agro idiotic pedestrians that love to walk four or more abreast with dogs in toe that get so incensed at a frickin cyclist trying to get past.

If you see someone with a dog then just slow right down.

So, all you people who say that bike should have rego and rego plates so they can be identifiable…………have you ever reported a car running a red light or speeding as they pass you on a blind corner?

I bet the cops just yawned (they have at me).

1000’s of cars are moving at any one time in Canberra with people doing stupid things by the minute with every one identifiable, nothing get done because it would waste too much time investigating something that “may” have been dangerous.

johnboy said :

electric bikes is easy, over 200W engines need to be registered.

Its actually 250 watts now.

It’s hard to know who to quote on the bell-versus-voice debate, but let’s just think about this pragmatically.

The difference with a bell and a vocal warning is the soundwave. What evidence is there that a high-pitched strike of a metal alloy is superior to a vocal warning?

A high-pitched sound is probably better, but the vast majority of pedestrians that don’t heed a bell also don’t heed a vocal warning. So it’s really a matter of what works, not silly by-laws and whether a voice box is a mechanical/warning device.

As both a cyclist, pedestrian and driver, the obvious problem is that (a) cyclists can scare the bejeezus out of pedestrians both when a bell is struck or not because they approach relatively fast and (b) any regular cyclist encounters many pedestrians that pay no heed to any warning either because they’re enjoying the scenery or they’re listening to an iPod etc. so the cyclist probably reasons it’s better just to go around and avoid them with no warning.

But can we all please admit, FFS, this is a first-world problem. You’ve got more chance of dying aka Steve Irwin than dying by cyclist.

So get over it you agro idiotic pedestrians that love to walk four or more abreast with dogs in toe that get so incensed at a frickin cyclist trying to get past.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/four-in-every-five-crashes-between-cars-and-bicycles-caused-by-driver-of-car/story-e6frea83-1226581475412

i know it’s adelaide, but look at the source of accidents.

Riders voice does not count, has to be attached to the bike.

carnardly said :

And he got a healthy dose of attitude when I commented on his absence of a bell (a legal requirement for all cycles actually). All recorded.

Technically that isn’t correct.

He needed an audible warning device. That could be a horn, siren, or something that plays the mexican hat dance.

It isn’t a legal requirement for a bike to have a bell specifically.

Common misconception – but i get the point you’re trying to make.

Does the rider’s voice count?

Basilbrush said :

zorro29 said :

Pitchka said :

zorro29 said :

saving traffic congestion

You mean when there are not 3 or 4 of them riding side by side taking up a whole lane?

what? i have never seen that happen in my many years of driving in any city…anywhere…

and anyway, with respect to some other comments, i am happy to see investment in bike paths – if more people got out and cycled, maybe we would have less of an obesity epidemic!

Really? Drive down Ginninderra Drive on a Saturday morning then……
There were also 2 riding side by side down Northbourne Ave the other morning. The 2nd rider took up some of the road, whereas all the drivers had to overtake making it quite difficult in oeak hour traffic. They made you a cycle area so stick to it pls riders.

+ this

And he got a healthy dose of attitude when I commented on his absence of a bell (a legal requirement for all cycles actually). All recorded.

Technically that isn’t correct. He needed an audible warning device. That could be a horn, siren, or something that plays the mexican hat dance. It isn’t a legal requirement for a bike to have a bell specifically. Common misconception – but i get the point you’re trying to make.

dtc said :

I vaguely recall reading that if 4% of commuter ride to work, it reduces travel time for those that drive by over 10% – this is because adding additional cars to already busy roads increases travel time by a greater percentage than the percentage increase in the number of cars.

By the way, I think pedestrians should be registered as well.

After all, some do stupid things – jaywalking ALL the time, for example – and I would like to be able to report them to the police.

Plus we have to pay for footpaths absolutely everywhere. I mean, my street has a footpath and only about 10 people use it a day and there is a perfectly useful road nearby that they can walk down. Or just walk down the nature strips. Not to mention all the work that seems to go on around Civic to repair the footpaths.

Most walkers have plenty of space on their backs to hang a rego plate from.

They should also be required to carry bells and lights. When coming up behind a slow walker, like an oldie or a preggo, you have to use the bell.

…

So… rego and bikes and all that….

When does it become viable?

ie) All these electric bikes… when do they need to become a registered vehicle?

Holden Caulfield said :

What would be interesting to know is the percentage of cyclists who don’t have a driver’s licence. Not because of the rego argument, but the more rudimentary concept of knowing the road rules.

and the percentage of drivers who aren’t aware that the road rules actually differ for cyclists, and heavy vehicles for that matter,. Yes, its the same rule book, but different sub-rules apply.

I vaguely recall reading that if 4% of commuter ride to work, it reduces travel time for those that drive by over 10% – this is because adding additional cars to already busy roads increases travel time by a greater percentage than the percentage increase in the number of cars.

By the way, I think pedestrians should be registered as well.

After all, some do stupid things – jaywalking ALL the time, for example – and I would like to be able to report them to the police.

Plus we have to pay for footpaths absolutely everywhere. I mean, my street has a footpath and only about 10 people use it a day and there is a perfectly useful road nearby that they can walk down. Or just walk down the nature strips. Not to mention all the work that seems to go on around Civic to repair the footpaths.

Most walkers have plenty of space on their backs to hang a rego plate from.

They should also be required to carry bells and lights. When coming up behind a slow walker, like an oldie or a preggo, you have to use the bell.

Gungahlin Al said :

The cycles should have rego myth also ignores the basic that if I ride I am not using road space, therefore 1/ making your drive easier (about which you should be pleased) and 2/ placing less demand on the government to extend the roads, thereby placing less demand on you (and me) for more taxes (about which you should also be happy).

I’m not promoting the cyclists must pay rego cause at all, but if you ride on the road how can you not use road space. 😛

I understand your point, though, and am just nit picking.

What would be interesting to know is the percentage of cyclists who don’t have a driver’s licence. Not because of the rego argument, but the more rudimentary concept of knowing the road rules.

I suspect the percentage would be so low as to not warrant genuine concern, but it would still be nice to know all the same.

The cycles should have rego myth also ignores the basic that if I ride I am not using road space, therefore 1/ making your drive easier (about which you should be pleased) and 2/ placing less demand on the government to extend the roads, thereby placing less demand on you (and me) for more taxes (about which you should also be happy).

Why car drivers don’t look at cyclists and privately think “thanks guys”, but instead chose to get all riled up that they dare switch between path user and road user status (usually, but admittedly not always, legally), leaves me bemused. Look at the big picture people.

Bosworth said :

Gungahlin Al said :

Helmets have saved my noggin so many times I wouldn’t undertake any such outdoor activities without one – snow, rock, motorcycle, bicycle. It doesn’t matter how observant or clever you think you are, other people do dumb things that put your well-being at risk.

And with that in mind, a shout out to the fellow DEEWR staffer who just missed me on the Turner bikepath this morning. You’ve earned a starring role in the first YouTube clip from my new Sony Action Cam.

how do you know which department they were from ?

“fellow DEEWR staffer” didn’t give that away? We both wound up at my workplace. And he got a healthy dose of attitude when I commented on his absence of a bell (a legal requirement for all cycles actually). All recorded.

Grimm said :

Saying “I pay rego for my car!” is not debunking anything. I own 3 cars and 2 motorbikes. I have to pay rego for each one, apart from the dirt bike because it doesn’t go on the road. See how that works?
quote]

Interesting you mention motorbikes. They carry smaller plates, don’t have a front plate, and cost less to register. A plate that will be safe on a bicycle is likely to be too small to read, and the appropriate fee less than the cost to the taxpayer.

Grimm said :

nescius said :

I’m not even going to bother to respond to the rego argument because it has been debunked so many times.

I don’t think I have ever seen it debunked.
Saying “I pay rego for my car!” is not debunking anything. I own 3 cars and 2 motorbikes. I have to pay rego for each one, apart from the dirt bike because it doesn’t go on the road. See how that works?
If you want to use the road, you should be paying rego for your bike and sticking a number plate on it so you can be identified when you do something stupid and dangerous, just like every other vehicle on the road has to.

The argument that has been debunked is that rego pays for roads therefore if cyclists want to use the roads they should pay. This is not the case. Taxes pay for roads and unless cyclists are dodging their tax liabilities they are contributing just as much as the next person (while causing considerably less damage to the road surface). I agree that arguing that you have paid rego for a car already is not a valid argument, but it doesn’t matter anyway because bicycles are not legally required to be registered. I don’t have to pay anything for my bikes so I don’t, in fact I sold my car so I wouldn’t have to fork out a ridiculous amount of money to register it every year.

On a related note, I think that if you are a regular bicycle commuter on the roads it would be prudent to make sure you have insurance (join pedal power – $66 individual or $110 per household, or if you have a racing licence from Cycling Australia you are covered).

Gungahlin Al said :

Helmets have saved my noggin so many times I wouldn’t undertake any such outdoor activities without one – snow, rock, motorcycle, bicycle. It doesn’t matter how observant or clever you think you are, other people do dumb things that put your well-being at risk.

And with that in mind, a shout out to the fellow DEEWR staffer who just missed me on the Turner bikepath this morning. You’ve earned a starring role in the first YouTube clip from my new Sony Action Cam.

how do you know which department they were from ?

I commute to work on bicycle and i think I have been abused by motorists, but I can never understand what they are saying, I just assume it’s something poignant as they speed heroically away..

scabbers29 said :

For me it’s mostly the fact that they get the roads closed for them so they can race. Closing off the whole of the Cotter to families who would go out and picnic/swim and generally enjoy the countryside. How is it that a group of people who whilst on their bikes, pay no monies to the ACT Govt for the upkeep of said roads are allowed to have them closed to the general car driving, money paying, public?

Well on this basis, you are also staunchly opposed to the Canberra Times Funrun, the Tour de Femme, the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon and any other charity events that involve closing roads to be used by people who have the nerve to appear not to be driving a symbol of the fact that they pay rego? You would also be opposed to the Multicultural Festival, Floriade, fireworks displays and NYE celebrations in the city.

If not, your argument is without substance. If so, you should consider moving somewhere that’s a little less exciting than Canberra.

HiddenDragon said :

There are righteous, precious, inconsiderate people on four wheels, not just on two and, indeed, on foot.

However, for those at, or approaching, a “certain age” (and for some well-rounded folk of more tender years), no matter how pert and perky you may think you are, lycra – which magically manages to be simultaneously and regrettably form-fitting and droopy – is not quite the fashion statement that you may imagine it to be. Just remember those wonderful lyrics from the halcyon days of yore – “MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark, All the sweet, green icing flowing down…” – and with that sentiment in mind, please keep to a minimum the preening and promenading when you dismount.

Although it has to be said that if people who wore lycra considered it a fashion statement, your eyes would be assailed in evening pubs, bars, and restaurant. Give thanks that those who don it consider it a practical necessity to provide comfort and to stop loose and droopy things flapping about in the breeze.

Having said that, thank you to the red head the other day who was riding in a short skirt. I appreciated the draft.

Is there a rule in place that says all Cyclist v Motorist threads are ineligible for the Mully award ?

bundah said :

fromthecapital said :

I got held up by to some commuters travelling 4 abreast on Adelaide ave this morning going under 10km/h. Luckily they finially allowed me to pass. It was where the cotter road merges… Life is such a teial sometimes. Sighhh

Could you imagine a world where all motorists were on the same page and actually knew how to merge?Mind you a cyclist would probably just get in the way and just bugger it up 🙂

Apparently the new google car knows how to merge..

There are righteous, precious, inconsiderate people on four wheels, not just on two and, indeed, on foot.

However, for those at, or approaching, a “certain age” (and for some well-rounded folk of more tender years), no matter how pert and perky you may think you are, lycra – which magically manages to be simultaneously and regrettably form-fitting and droopy – is not quite the fashion statement that you may imagine it to be. Just remember those wonderful lyrics from the halcyon days of yore – “MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark, All the sweet, green icing flowing down…” – and with that sentiment in mind, please keep to a minimum the preening and promenading when you dismount.

Gungahlin Al said :

Helmets have saved my noggin so many times I wouldn’t undertake any such outdoor activities without one – snow, rock, motorcycle, bicycle. It doesn’t matter how observant or clever you think you are, other people do dumb things that put your well-being at risk.

And with that in mind, a shout out to the fellow DEEWR staffer who just missed me on the Turner bikepath this morning. You’ve earned a starring role in the first YouTube clip from my new Sony Action Cam.[/quote

Solidarity said :

fromthecapital said :

I got held up by to some commuters travelling 4 abreast on Adelaide ave this morning going under 10km/h. Luckily they finially allowed me to pass. It was where the cotter road merges… Life is such a teial sometimes. Sighhh

I split that bunch this morning!

It’s also fun to ride past them slowly and slap them on the bum as you ride past. Confuses them.

You slapped the cars? Or drivers?

OpenYourMind said :

wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra.

Clearly you don’t ride a bicycle in Canberra then?

nescius said :

I’m not even going to bother to respond to the rego argument because it has been debunked so many times.

I don’t think I have ever seen it debunked.
Saying “I pay rego for my car!” is not debunking anything. I own 3 cars and 2 motorbikes. I have to pay rego for each one, apart from the dirt bike because it doesn’t go on the road. See how that works?
If you want to use the road, you should be paying rego for your bike and sticking a number plate on it so you can be identified when you do something stupid and dangerous, just like every other vehicle on the road has to.

I only believe in Lycra if both chicks are hot.

fromthecapital said :

I got held up by to some commuters travelling 4 abreast on Adelaide ave this morning going under 10km/h. Luckily they finially allowed me to pass. It was where the cotter road merges… Life is such a teial sometimes. Sighhh

Could you imagine a world where all motorists were on the same page and actually knew how to merge?Mind you a cyclist would probably just get in the way and just bugger it up 🙂

fromthecapital said :

I got held up by to some commuters travelling 4 abreast on Adelaide ave this morning going under 10km/h. Luckily they finially allowed me to pass. It was where the cotter road merges… Life is such a teial sometimes. Sighhh

I split that bunch this morning!

It’s also fun to ride past them slowly and slap them on the bum as you ride past. Confuses them.

Helmets have saved my noggin so many times I wouldn’t undertake any such outdoor activities without one – snow, rock, motorcycle, bicycle. It doesn’t matter how observant or clever you think you are, other people do dumb things that put your well-being at risk.

And with that in mind, a shout out to the fellow DEEWR staffer who just missed me on the Turner bikepath this morning. You’ve earned a starring role in the first YouTube clip from my new Sony Action Cam.

I love a good bike-riders vs car-drivers fight on the riotact.

The angry bigots are quite entertaining. 🙂

Or trial!

I got held up by to some commuters travelling 4 abreast on Adelaide ave this morning going under 10km/h. Luckily they finially allowed me to pass. It was where the cotter road merges… Life is such a teial sometimes. Sighhh

I’ve rarely had any problems with a cyclists. I’ve seen a few of them do some fairly stupid things, but it hasn’t impacted me at all (beyond having to jump on the brakes occasionally).

In the end, if a bicycle and car collide, the cyclist will probably come off second best. If cyclists are happy to assert their rights on the road, I figure they are the ones taking the risk and wearing the consequences.

Notice that in the comments cyclists are abused for riding on roads instead of cycle paths, then abused for riding too fast on cycle paths. Which seems to suggest that drivers and walkers think ‘we are here first, everyone else must comply with our wishes’. So people complain about the dollars spent on cycle paths but no one mentions that the total spend on cycle paths in the history of Canberra is a small percentage of the cost of just the Majura link (ie one road that we only need to reduce traffic congestion, not because it goes somewhere that you cannot otherwise go)

(but I really dont understand why people dont wear helmets)

troll-sniffer said :

Rollersk8r said :

Interesting.

Although as a cyclist what enrages me are idiots who insist on picking their way through bumper to bumper traffic on Ellenborough and Mouat streets in the morning (one in particular who doesn’t wear a helmet) when there is a pefectly good and wide bike path the whole way!!!?!

Hi ha dude, that was moi. Got you jealous did I with my freedom to pass you by? The reason i was picking my way ‘through’ the morning bumper to bumpers was because several of the stalled imbeciles were just about on the kerb and therefore I had no room to pass in my usual position of freedom down the left hand side. Did I hurt you or anyone other than to create a feeling of helpless jealous rage? I thought not. Saying that there was a perfectly good bike path off to the left is pointless. It would be like me asking why you were occupying Mouatt St when there’s a perfectly good alternative in Northbourne Ave just up the road.

As for the helmet… well I’m waiting for the day when this nation of media-slaves gets over this fixation with the supposed panacea of bike helmets. Last time I was in the Netherlands I saw tens of thousands of cyclists all capable of navigating the byways of their cities and towns without a lid, yet somehow able to avoid crashing on their heads and splitting their skulls. I dunno, perhaps I have a unique set of skills that the rest of the population lacks, the ability to look out for upcoming situations and using such unheard of skills (it seems) as time and distance judgment and thereby avoid accidents for nigh on 50 years now.

Or is it, as I suspect, just pure unadulterated jealousy from someone stuck in a pointless frustrating queue?

Err, no, not jealous – I was on my bike, on the path, overtook you on the road and left you a long, long way behind. But go ahead, get hit, see if I care.

troll-sniffer said :

As for the helmet… well I’m waiting for the day when this nation of media-slaves gets over this fixation with the supposed panacea of bike helmets. Last time I was in the Netherlands I saw tens of thousands of cyclists all capable of navigating the byways of their cities and towns without a lid, yet somehow able to avoid crashing on their heads and splitting their skulls. I dunno, perhaps I have a unique set of skills that the rest of the population lacks, the ability to look out for upcoming situations and using such unheard of skills (it seems) as time and distance judgment and thereby avoid accidents for nigh on 50 years now.

Or is it, as I suspect, just pure unadulterated jealousy from someone stuck in a pointless frustrating queue?

I hope you’re an organ donor…

The latter part of the OP is part of why people hate cyclists.

Anyone who makes an unprovoked insult on another party is fostering some serious elitist problems.

scabbers29 said :

For me it’s mostly the fact that they get the roads closed for them so they can race. Closing off the whole of the Cotter to families who would go out and picnic/swim and generally enjoy the countryside. How is it that a group of people who whilst on their bikes, pay no monies to the ACT Govt for the upkeep of said roads are allowed to have them closed to the general car driving, money paying, public?
[/quote

Perhaps you should go ahead and unregister again. This is, without a doubt, in the top 3 stupid comments I’ve ever read on RA.

Yes, the cyclists whose clubs and federation pay the Govt for use of a particular road, at most, 4 times a year, justifies the hatred and vitriol directed towards ordinary people taking pressure off the roads and riding their bikes to work.

Did you even think before you wrote that?

Huh. I must be doing something wrong. I’ve been regularly riding to and from work for almost a year now, and have only ever had one run in with anyone – and that was just an idiot who got offended at my freedom to transition from the road to a footpath, while he was stuck trying to merge into busy afternoon traffic. That never amounted to anything anyhow – he was stuck while I just kept on riding.

Some of these threads suggest it’s a war zone out there. I’m still waiting to see it.

troll-sniffer said :

Rollersk8r said :

Interesting.

Although as a cyclist what enrages me are idiots who insist on picking their way through bumper to bumper traffic on Ellenborough and Mouat streets in the morning (one in particular who doesn’t wear a helmet) when there is a pefectly good and wide bike path the whole way!!!?!

Hi ha dude, that was moi. Got you jealous did I with my freedom to pass you by? The reason i was picking my way ‘through’ the morning bumper to bumpers was because several of the stalled imbeciles were just about on the kerb and therefore I had no room to pass in my usual position of freedom down the left hand side. Did I hurt you or anyone other than to create a feeling of helpless jealous rage? I thought not. Saying that there was a perfectly good bike path off to the left is pointless. It would be like me asking why you were occupying Mouatt St when there’s a perfectly good alternative in Northbourne Ave just up the road.

As for the helmet… well I’m waiting for the day when this nation of media-slaves gets over this fixation with the supposed panacea of bike helmets. Last time I was in the Netherlands I saw tens of thousands of cyclists all capable of navigating the byways of their cities and towns without a lid, yet somehow able to avoid crashing on their heads and splitting their skulls. I dunno, perhaps I have a unique set of skills that the rest of the population lacks, the ability to look out for upcoming situations and using such unheard of skills (it seems) as time and distance judgment and thereby avoid accidents for nigh on 50 years now.

Or is it, as I suspect, just pure unadulterated jealousy from someone stuck in a pointless frustrating queue?

*slow clap*

Rollersk8r said :

Interesting.

Although as a cyclist what enrages me are idiots who insist on picking their way through bumper to bumper traffic on Ellenborough and Mouat streets in the morning (one in particular who doesn’t wear a helmet) when there is a pefectly good and wide bike path the whole way!!!?!

Hi ha dude, that was moi. Got you jealous did I with my freedom to pass you by? The reason i was picking my way ‘through’ the morning bumper to bumpers was because several of the stalled imbeciles were just about on the kerb and therefore I had no room to pass in my usual position of freedom down the left hand side. Did I hurt you or anyone other than to create a feeling of helpless jealous rage? I thought not. Saying that there was a perfectly good bike path off to the left is pointless. It would be like me asking why you were occupying Mouatt St when there’s a perfectly good alternative in Northbourne Ave just up the road.

As for the helmet… well I’m waiting for the day when this nation of media-slaves gets over this fixation with the supposed panacea of bike helmets. Last time I was in the Netherlands I saw tens of thousands of cyclists all capable of navigating the byways of their cities and towns without a lid, yet somehow able to avoid crashing on their heads and splitting their skulls. I dunno, perhaps I have a unique set of skills that the rest of the population lacks, the ability to look out for upcoming situations and using such unheard of skills (it seems) as time and distance judgment and thereby avoid accidents for nigh on 50 years now.

Or is it, as I suspect, just pure unadulterated jealousy from someone stuck in a pointless frustrating queue?

I ride a bike. I get abused whether I ride on the bike path or on the road. But I keep doing it. Why? It’s fun, I keep fit, it’s quicker to get around Canberra and it reduces my living costs (I do pay rego, despite all the car drivers that do their best to get “pay some f”ing rego” in some sequence with the doppler effect as they go flying past me on whatever road I choose to ride on). It’s also nice to have some endorphins released (so I’m not angry all the time like so many car drivers seem to be – it never ceases to amaze me how angry car drivers can be over, well, nothing). I see more car drivers doing the wrong thing than bike riders (running red lights, talking on mobiles, turning right from the left lane, turning left from the right lane, doing u-turns in front of a sign that says “no u-turns”, etc). I shake my head at them but don’t try to run them over. I also see a lot of cyclists do the wrong thing (I actually refer to them as bike riders as opposed to cyclists, as a real cyclist would never do the wrong thing :-p ). The only saving grace of those idiots is that they’re more likely to hurt themselves than hurt anyone else, and you can only hope that they’re organ donors. So what’s the moral of the story? There is none. Chill, be happy, we’re all perfect and imperfect at the same time. If you’re one of the drivers that hates cyclists just because they exist and you saw one smoking a durrie once without wearing a helmet while running a red light riding 10 abreast with his mates, then maybe it’s time to look deep inside yourself and get a little perspective and channel your energies in better directions.

Now onto more positive topics: I was riding my bike the other day and had to slow up for a tractor driving on the road in peak hour. I threw a stubbie of VB at him and felt so much better about myself. I got to work and told everyone about how I showed that tractor driver who was boss. Pretty sure that tractor driver won’t make me slow up and lose a minute of my commute time ever again.

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

OpenYourMind said :

I think it’s just a jealousy thing. Cyclists zipping past traffic jammed cars, wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra. I can ride to work quicker than a lot of car commuters and I don’t pay for parking. Loving it!

The supposed tight buttocks are more than offset by leathery wind-whipped skin, grim expressions, stupid helmets and horrible oversized calves. Lycra makes anyone who wears it look vile. Obsessive cyclists are really ugly and emotionally unhealthy! Give me the pasty JB rat patrol type cyclist any day!

Gee some of you people are just bitter and horrible aren’t you?

Lighten up!

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

OpenYourMind said :

I think it’s just a jealousy thing. Cyclists zipping past traffic jammed cars, wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra. I can ride to work quicker than a lot of car commuters and I don’t pay for parking. Loving it!

The supposed tight buttocks are more than offset by leathery wind-whipped skin, grim expressions, stupid helmets and horrible oversized calves. Lycra makes anyone who wears it look vile. Obsessive cyclists are really ugly and emotionally unhealthy! Give me the pasty JB rat patrol type cyclist any day!

Gee some of you people are just bitter and horrible aren’t you?

Nah, I find it entertaining when dumb bigots are allowed keyboards and fap themselves stupid over lycra.

KB1971 said :

Masquara said :

OpenYourMind said :

I think it’s just a jealousy thing. Cyclists zipping past traffic jammed cars, wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra. I can ride to work quicker than a lot of car commuters and I don’t pay for parking. Loving it!

The supposed tight buttocks are more than offset by leathery wind-whipped skin, grim expressions, stupid helmets and horrible oversized calves. Lycra makes anyone who wears it look vile. Obsessive cyclists are really ugly and emotionally unhealthy! Give me the pasty JB rat patrol type cyclist any day!

Gee some of you people are just bitter and horrible aren’t you?

Emotionally unhealthy – that’s a new one. I do actually drive a car some days and when I do, I feel sad and boxed in as I look out at the lovely weather and wish I was back on my bike. If feeling happy when I’m on my bike is emotionally unhealthy then more of it, I say! Some of us can be a little obsessive about our bikes, but that’s only because we enjoy our cycling so much.

Masquara said :

OpenYourMind said :

I think it’s just a jealousy thing. Cyclists zipping past traffic jammed cars, wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra. I can ride to work quicker than a lot of car commuters and I don’t pay for parking. Loving it!

The supposed tight buttocks are more than offset by leathery wind-whipped skin, grim expressions, stupid helmets and horrible oversized calves. Lycra makes anyone who wears it look vile. Obsessive cyclists are really ugly and emotionally unhealthy! Give me the pasty JB rat patrol type cyclist any day!

Gee some of you people are just bitter and horrible aren’t you?

I bought a bike and started commuting as it was the only way I could get some exercise in. I have halved my travel time, and the bike has nearly paid for itself through saved bus fares and parking fees.

Couldn’t care less if people hate me for riding but am surprised by the amount of agro even complete strangers come out with when they find out I ride to work. Some people need to get a life and stop worrying about how others choose to live theirs.

It all comes of having a culture that idolizes speed and convenience. Everyone needs to slow down and stop expecting to get across town in 10 minutes. We live in a growing city that will soon have all the traffic woes of Sydney and Melbourne with all the unhappiness that brings, unless we accept that the social cost of “speed” is too high. Whether you are locked in your polluting metal box or dazzling everyone with your flashy lycra, or walking head down lost in your angry birds game, you cannot possibly engage with your neighbour on the street/path; many of you seem lost in a spiral of aggression and self-serving arrogance (“It’s not ME, it’s THEM”)
Take a deep breath and think about the possibility that we don’t have to be in such a hurry.

OpenYourMind said :

I think it’s just a jealousy thing. Cyclists zipping past traffic jammed cars, wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra. I can ride to work quicker than a lot of car commuters and I don’t pay for parking. Loving it!

The supposed tight buttocks are more than offset by leathery wind-whipped skin, grim expressions, stupid helmets and horrible oversized calves. Lycra makes anyone who wears it look vile. Obsessive cyclists are really ugly and emotionally unhealthy! Give me the pasty JB rat patrol type cyclist any day!

scabbers29 said :

On a lighter note – please, please can someone in the cycling community put a size limit on Lycra??!

Like!

scabbers29 said :

Having just registered so I could comment!

Cyclists enrage car drivers because they do not follow the road rules, have a cycle arena thing built for them and then still insist on closing the roads around Cotter to race on them, ride the bikes that don’t have to pay Rego/road tax. I know some are car owners too, before I get my head bitten off!!

For me it’s mostly the fact that they get the roads closed for them so they can race. Closing off the whole of the Cotter to families who would go out and picnic/swim and generally enjoy the countryside. How is it that a group of people who whilst on their bikes, pay no monies to the ACT Govt for the upkeep of said roads are allowed to have them closed to the general car driving, money paying, public?

On a lighter note – please, please can someone in the cycling community put a size limit on Lycra??!

Closed roads? There are very very few cycling events on closed roads in the ACT, maybe one or two a year at the most and they would only close the roads for a few hours while the event was running. The vast majority of club races are held on roads that are fully open to traffic with the only caveat being that the turn around points for the race have a marshall controlling traffic when the riders are close.

I’m not even going to bother to respond to the rego argument because it has been debunked so many times.

Gotta admit the one that gets to me is riding across pedestrian crossings…am I jealous? No, I just find this is a stupid, dangerous thing to do… Driver turning left over a pedestrian crossing: look left, nothing there; look right, nothing coming; turn left…WTF where’d they come from…yup, a cyclist who has appeared from nowhere riding across the crossing. I’ve almost clobbered 3 cyclists who are doing this in the city at peak hour.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

…There are plenty of d-bag cyclists, but way more d-bag drivers. The only complete innocents are the pedestrians…

No, there’s plenty of d-bag pedestrians too.

zorro29 said :

Pitchka said :

zorro29 said :

saving traffic congestion

You mean when there are not 3 or 4 of them riding side by side taking up a whole lane?

what? i have never seen that happen in my many years of driving in any city…anywhere…

and anyway, with respect to some other comments, i am happy to see investment in bike paths – if more people got out and cycled, maybe we would have less of an obesity epidemic!

Really? Drive down Ginninderra Drive on a Saturday morning then……
There were also 2 riding side by side down Northbourne Ave the other morning. The 2nd rider took up some of the road, whereas all the drivers had to overtake making it quite difficult in oeak hour traffic. They made you a cycle area so stick to it pls riders.

Having just registered so I could comment!

Cyclists enrage car drivers because they do not follow the road rules, have a cycle arena thing built for them and then still insist on closing the roads around Cotter to race on them, ride the bikes that don’t have to pay Rego/road tax. I know some are car owners too, before I get my head bitten off!!

For me it’s mostly the fact that they get the roads closed for them so they can race. Closing off the whole of the Cotter to families who would go out and picnic/swim and generally enjoy the countryside. How is it that a group of people who whilst on their bikes, pay no monies to the ACT Govt for the upkeep of said roads are allowed to have them closed to the general car driving, money paying, public?

On a lighter note – please, please can someone in the cycling community put a size limit on Lycra??!

They’re the bullies of the roadway says this article: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/pushy-pushbikers-pushing-their-luck-20110603-1fl1p.html

I think it’s just a jealousy thing. Cyclists zipping past traffic jammed cars, wiggly their tight buttocks clad in sexy lycra. I can ride to work quicker than a lot of car commuters and I don’t pay for parking. Loving it!

It’s their smug, self satisfied, almost religious, sense of moral superiority which makes me want to open the passenger door when passing them.

That, and their cast iron beliefs that they have right of way on shared paths. Every time I walk my dogs to the Cork Forrest we make a point of keeping a weather eye open for the f*ck*rs who come steaming down the hill from Aranda at 50 kmph, we always remove ourselves and our dogs well off the path for them to pass safely. Not ONCE will we get a nod of acknowledgement for our courtesy.

Not from the frigging Nazis in lycra.

dks00k said :

Its the lycra…….

+1

Made even worse when they adjust their helmets.

Pitchka said :

zorro29 said :

saving traffic congestion

You mean when there are not 3 or 4 of them riding side by side taking up a whole lane?

what? i have never seen that happen in my many years of driving in any city…anywhere…

and anyway, with respect to some other comments, i am happy to see investment in bike paths – if more people got out and cycled, maybe we would have less of an obesity epidemic!

Of course, the ridiculous irony is that cyclists have to demonstrate such good road sense and awareness – the vast majority of them end up becoming the best, most predictable and most aware road users, whether cycling, driving or walking.

It’s lol, drivers shit on cyclists, cyclists whine. Cyclists shit on pedestrians, pedestrians whine. Then everyone whines.(SWEEPING GENERALISATION LOL).

There are plenty of d-bag cyclists, but way more d-bag drivers. The only complete innocents are the pedestrians.

I have only ever had two run ins with cyclists. First was a complete knob trying to kill himself who for some reason did not want me to pass him in a holder street and when I stopped at the t junction he rode infront of my car as slowly as he could mouthing off. I got infront of him and pulled over to find out why he had a death wish and was upset I was not willing to give him said wish but he sped off fast as he could when he saw me.

Second was totally mine own fault. The new green lanes had gone in at Adelaide ave and I misjudged the speed of a cyclist was doing and cut him off pretty badly. I pulled over and apologised immensely. He was a bit ticked off but ultimately fine and was considerate the entire conversation.

I have never had a cyclist abuse me on the paths like many here claim but if one ever did they would need a new bike and not be able to ride for some time. I only ever come across courteous cyclists on the paths.

Maybe it’s because I’m on the road a lot that I come across a huge amount of bell end drivers or maybe I just have not encountered many of these mythical evil cyclists?

Just my two cents.

Oh and also, yeah, if you are riding on a country road, don’t be a knob. Keep it single file.

I think they are narrowing down the focus too much. If they broaden their search they will realise that Canberrans don’t like each other. The amount of road rage you see is astounding, I hear more stories about people bitching about other motorists than I do about cyclist vs car, it’s just that people are more willing to try and do away with cyclists because it is something that they do not do.

Johnboy is right. Cyclist has a fantastic bum. I’d hit that. (Not the one in lycra. That is vomit worthy!)

Also when I’m riding I am aggressive in dangerous situations as G-Fresh says, like I’m a lane hog for the brief period some hoon is trying to drive over me in a roundabout but I pull over as soon as I’m out. Do I piss him off? Probably but I would never try to overtake a cyclist unless I can give her heaps of space so Mister Hoon shall just have to be forced to wait a few seconds until I feel safe letting him past.

I also fly though intersections and on and off the footpaths but not when there’s risk of hurting someone. Maybe Mister Hoon gets jealous but FFS I am on my bike. I am not wearing lycra. I am not going to hurt anyone other than myself. Chillax and mind your own business.

Some people are bad at minding their own business. Maybe they need some exercise.

Have to mostly agree with the article, although I think it may have (possibly deliberately) omitted mentioning the worst crime that cyclist commit.

CRIME: Expecting to have the same rights as, and treated like, other vehicle in traffic, and yet behaving like a pedestrian when the situation suits them.

Seriously this pisses everyone off.

Because they’re a minority group, and it’s easy to pick on minorities.

Its the lycra…….

Because if they’re called out on not wearing helmets, not having a bell/warning people before rushing up behind, getting angry with little children on *their* path or generally being an asshat immediately its “crap, I did something wrong! NOW I’M ANGRY AT THE OTHER PERSON!” and cue the snide remark before peddling furiously away.

Because they continually do stupid things and obstruct traffic?

There have been millions of dollars spent in the ACT on bike paths. They are often right next to the road, yet cyclists still insist on making an obstacle of themselves and riding on the road.

Granted, I see heaps of cyclists doing the right thing and being considerate. Unfortunately, the number of douchebag cyclists with a sense of entitlement, being a deliberate nuisance or breaking the law are just as numerous.

PS. Those of you that ride around the Cotter ring road, Tidbinbilla etc, use some bloody common sense and do it single file. The roads are all 80 to 100 zones and filled with blind corners and hill crests. Riding 3 abreast is not only illegal, and extremely inconsiderate, but outright dangerous. Doing anything but riding single file on these narrow, windy rural type roads makes you a Darwin award candidate, deserving no sympathy.

Alderney said :

Paragragh 3 – Driving is a very moral activity – there are rules of the road, both legal and informal, and there are good and bad drivers. The whole intricate dance of the rush-hour junction only works because people know the rules and by-and-large follow them: keeping in lane; indicating properly; first her turn, now mine, now yours.

The author obviously hasn’t visited peak hour in Canberra.

Our traffic breeds a different kind of cyclist here too. One that can cope with the Canberra Driver

zorro29 said :

saving traffic congestion

You mean when there are not 3 or 4 of them riding side by side taking up a whole lane?

All motorists are psychopaths. End of story

Interesting.

Although as a cyclist what enrages me are idiots who insist on picking their way through bumper to bumper traffic on Ellenborough and Mouat streets in the morning (one in particular who doesn’t wear a helmet) when there is a pefectly good and wide bike path the whole way!!!?!

I am a cyclist so I will admit that straight up…but even before I was a cyclist I always had a great deal of respect and no anger towards them. They’re exercising/keeping fit, saving traffic congestion and are a little bike compare to huge cars/buses/trucks zooming by them.

People who get angry at cyclists and aren’t considerate need to chill out and get a better hobby.

Smugness, which JB highlighted in his obviously satirical edit.

Paragragh 3 – Driving is a very moral activity – there are rules of the road, both legal and informal, and there are good and bad drivers. The whole intricate dance of the rush-hour junction only works because people know the rules and by-and-large follow them: keeping in lane; indicating properly; first her turn, now mine, now yours.

The author obviously hasn’t visited peak hour in Canberra.

Because nobody likes them. They’re like the loser kid in school, everyone picks on them because they are annoying.