Cyclists and zebra crossings?

Fishbat said :

I have just finished welding the fishing rod holders onto my bull bar and I will not be paying to much attention for non conformists at pedestrian crossings…

It is about time the road safety community took the modification of vehicles that is the addition of a bullbar seriously. Few vehicles fitted with bullbars would meet the crash test standards they meet in their unmodified form. And that applies to meeting adequate standards relating to collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. Vehicles with them are a menace on the roads and have caused unnecesssary deaths and increased the severity of injury. Your comment just indicates what a tw*t you are. Both a and i fit.

How I read it is

Blingerific said :

I just pick a line and ride around the pedestrian and really don’t care if the poor little petal gets frightened and thinks terrorists are skydiving out of stealth helicopters to strangle their precious Sookums…

and no mention of slowing down, which could be a description of our recent close call. And this only minutes after our perfectly pleasant encounter with the other cyclist, who in fact didn’t need to slow down much but was considerate enough to give an appropriate amount of warning. Is showing consideration for others really that hard? Alright, now I’m just getting repetitive . . .

Getting back on topic, ie crossings, I once had a nasty close call at the school crossing. I had stopped to let some kids cross and as I started to move forward a boy came flying up the gutter and around my bumper bar onto the crossing. Such a lack of comprehension of blind spots and reaction times in someone who looked only a year or two away from getting his L’s was worrying. He seemed to enjoy his “power”, not realising that while I might be at risk of being charged with killing a schoolkid, he was at risk of not living to tell the tale! I’ve seen the same attitude in kids from that school walking at the nearby shops, they step off the kerb at random spots with cars approaching, just because they “know they can”, with smug looks on their faces. Sigh . . . courtesy and consideration . . .

Blingerific
If I wanted to hone my automotive racing skills & endurance, I’d use a dedictated legal facility and pay for it…

Before they try to slip under the radar, elderly people on scooters and people in wheelchairs also take liberties with pedestrian crossings. It’s outrageous. Some of those scooters really fang it when it comes to crossings. I’ve almost been hit several times by blue-rinse winternats menances. Pedestrian crossings are about heels, not wheels.

Garden Girl
How is punishing the rest of us for the ungrateful response of a few justified? C’mon everyone, WHY is it so difficult for us ALL to show some consideration towards each other?????

I do not “punish” pedestrians, I slow down and take a wide berth. If we ride on the shared paths, we get abused, if we ride on the road we get abused, so yeah, there’s a reason many cyclists get their backs up so easily. And to ride at any decent speed, which is required to get endurance or fitness for racing (or indeed just being able to go for a good fun ride) then we have no choice but to use the road because on the shared path it’s outright dangerous, because of mum, dad, aunty Dot and the budgie out walking but also because of the absolute pathetic state the paths are maintained in.

Punter
I see the TAMS website states cyclists are permitted to use footpaths in the ACT however I can’t find any legislation to support their policy.

If you have time to read through each of the 2068 pieces of Legislation that return a result then go for it. However the NRR, to which the ACT is a signatory in full, do not preclude the option for it being legal as stated in the foreword “All governments have the ability to retain some flexibility in amending the national rules to better match local conditions, but this is not expected to detract significantly from the seamless operation of road rules across Australia.”

Holden
Haha, the best part about this post is I’m pretty sure we’re expected to take it seriously.

Whether you do have that ability or not is of no real concern of mine.

Blingerific said :

As a cyclist I’d appreciate it if you reviewed your post. They are not cyclists, they are people on bikes. A cyclist wouldn’t be on the footpath to start with, we have more respect for our sport. And yes, we are few and far between.

Haha, the best part about this post is I’m pretty sure we’re expected to take it seriously.

I have just finished welding the fishing rod holders onto my bull bar and I will not be paying to much attention for non conformists at pedestrian crossings…

Blingerific said :

Unlucky for you Sloth Lord of the North that you are on of those who get angry when a cyclist announces their presence rather than riding past you unannounced. I’ve tried letting people I know I’m there either with a bell, a simple “excuses me” “on your left or right” or “cyclist” and have copped more abuse than I care to recall.

So in response to that behavior by pedestrians, if I am, for whatever strange reason, riding on the shared path where I have no rights, as opposed to the road where cyclists have very defined rights, I just pick a line and ride around the pedestrian and really don’t care if the poor little petal gets frightened and thinks terrorists are skydiving out of stealth helicopters to strangle their precious Sookums…

How is punishing the rest of us for the ungrateful response of a few justified? C’mon everyone, WHY is it so difficult for us ALL to show some consideration towards each other?????

I have no problems with cyclists riding across zebra crossings, as long as they slow, look and make their intention to cross clear. As a driver I will always slow for zebra crossings (yes you’re supposed to be ready to stop). Though as a pedestrian using a zebra crossing you’re playing roulette with people who don’t pay enough attention or don’t care. I’ve also found that cyclists and motorcyclists are just as bad at failing to give way at the crossings, because they think just because they’re small enough to swerve past the person crossing.

Hopefully one day they will do something about some of the zebra crossings in the City particularly Moore St and West Row where someone with no brain decided it would be smart to put them within 2 metres of an intersection, thereby creating gridlock and accidents. I think Moore/West Row and Allinga St was “upgraded” as part of the blackspots programme a few years ago..

Canberra is subject to the same rules for cyclists as NSW. Cyclists aren’t permitted to ride on dedicated footpaths. Niftydog, I see the TAMS website states cyclists are permitted to use footpaths in the ACT however I can’t find any legislation to support their policy. This won’t be the first time their ‘policies have let them down in the face of legislation. If it came down to a legal arguement legislation overides any policy any day of the week. TAMS may have something to answer in tht case.

From Mum, Dad and the kids to athletes in training, cyclists are a part of everyday life. I support dedicated cycle paths seperated from vehicle traffic by more than a painted line in the interest of safety. Until this happens I personally don’t mind cyclists using footpaths providing they give way to pedestrians. And Blingerific, cyclists are just that, whether they be people on bike or athletes. I respect the difference however I believe if an athlete were dedicated to training they may choose a safer more appropriate place to train or realise they are amoung all other traffic using the roads and relevant paths and tow the line like all others are required to.

Unlucky for you Sloth Lord of the North that you are on of those who get angry when a cyclist announces their presence rather than riding past you unannounced. I’ve tried letting people I know I’m there either with a bell, a simple “excuses me” “on your left or right” or “cyclist” and have copped more abuse than I care to recall.

So in response to that behavior by pedestrians, if I am, for whatever strange reason, riding on the shared path where I have no rights, as opposed to the road where cyclists have very defined rights, I just pick a line and ride around the pedestrian and really don’t care if the poor little petal gets frightened and thinks terrorists are skydiving out of stealth helicopters to strangle their precious Sookums…

As a cyclist I’d appreciate it if you reviewed your post. They are not cyclists, they are people on bikes. A cyclist wouldn’t be on the footpath to start with, we have more respect for our sport. And yes, we are few and far between.

What Canberra needs are the laws NSW has in relation to bikes-they aren’t allowed on the footpaths & we should copy England, were they have the Police on bikes & chase after cyclist that go through red lights & break any other law. Apparently they make hundreds of dollars a week

Aeek, This is, no doubt, to tackle the problem of cyclits failing to dismount I suspect.

To further confuse things, the crossings on Challis St, Dickson and De Burgh St, Lyneham are no longer zebra crossings and have Give Way to Cyclists signs.

I must drive different routes to the impeccable drivers that frequent RA. The drivers I see generally like to zip through give-way signs even if it’s a little tight, usually fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs, drive faster than the posted limit, especially 50 zones, almost never pull up at a yellow light, and indicate when the mood takes them while they chat on a mobile.

It is against the law for cyclists to cross pedestrian crossings without dismounting although certain motorists allow it as a courtesy. There is a good reason for the rule. The problem with motorists allowing cyclists to cross pedestrian crossings without dismounting is the risk of some cyclists becoming complacent and taking it for granted all motorists will stop. This will inevitably lead to a preventable injury. Liability will always favour the motorist if a cyclist comes to greif with a vehicle while crossing a pedestrian crosing without dismounting, and we can all predict who will be healthier after such an encounter. As for motorists having to wait for a few seconds while a cyclist walks across a crossing, please, don’t be impatient, how much time are you going to lose if you wait? Would it really disadvantage folks to obey the rules on this one? I reckon it’s safer for all.

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

It may not inconvenience anybody, but they are breaking the law. Red lights apply to cyclists on the road too, not just cars.

That said, I’ve had numerous experiences with cyclists cutting off a pack of public servants crossing Cooyong Street at Mort, heading towards the interchange to get up on the footpath to get around a red light.

Sith Lord of the North said :

I would like to know where these nice and well mannered Push bike riders are, I only see one’s who hog the road thinking they are in the Tour de France.

But the part that gets me, which has happened to me twice this week, is that when one is walking on a FOOTpath your hear some pushy come along and say cyclist, implying that I move out of the way for them, some of these FOOTpaths are very small so there isn’t enough room for both of us, why can’t they ride on the grass and go AROUND me.

the second time it happened to me this week I yelled back Pedestrian and stood still say they had to ride around me, I love it when they gave me a huff!!!!

Oh yeah Lycra is not a good look on a person who is a little overweight.

I think I ticked off enough people today

What’s wrong with a guy thinking he’s in the Tour. Enough drivers think they’re driving around Mt Panorama.

and I don’t think the cyclist is expecting you to get out of their way. They’re warning you that they’re there. Would you prefer someone to zoom past at 20kph cm’s away from you??

When I ‘ding’ it means I’m coming past, please give me a little room. I’d stop and ask nicely but it would waste everyone’s time.

I’m over cyclist bashing threads. I don’t think I’ll open another one again. What we need is a good pedestrian bashing thread!!

We saw a good cyclist recently while on a pleasant walk to enjoy the glorious autumn foliage. A friendly bell, we moved over to the left of the path (had it been narrower and the ground rough I would be happy to step off the path) and we all continued on our merry way.
A few minutes later and our pleasant stroll could have become a medical emergency thanks to one of those idiot type cyclists coming round a bend at speed and darting past us on the wrong side.
I don’t mind cyclists riding across pedestrian crossings either, the problem arises when they are moving fast and doing unpredictable things and expect others to make allowances for their inconsiderate behaviour. Seriously, what is so difficult about warning pedestrians up ahead of your approach, what is so difficult about approaching a pedestrian crossing in such a way that drivers have time to see you and understand your intentions??????

chewy14 said :

They target the testing, so not one in 50 drivers are drunk.

Yes but sometimes they target the testing at people driving to work at 8.30am – probably the last 2 or 3 times I’ve been tested it’s been at this time.

The point I was getting at is that all these people are complaining about cyclists when you should be looking at other drivers. Look at the thread below this one. I ride and I drive and I see drivers doing many many more stupid things than a cyclist.

I stop when I ride up to a pedestrian crossing, wait to see if the driver goes through, which they’re allowed to do, or if they’re a nice person, waves me through.

I do the same when walking. I wouldn’t trust a driver to stop, and it’s not worth dying to prove it’s my right of way.

But also surely it’s much quicker to stop for a cyclist who is on their bike – than it is to stop for a cyclist who stops, dismounts and walks across a crossing.

In this world when everyone seems in a hurry to get anywhere, cyclists cycling across would be a positive then!

Zebra crossings are for zebras – fullstop.

I NEVER stop for cyclists at pedestrian crossings. I toot to tell them I’m not stopping.

If I walked my bike over every ped crossing I’d be abused by motorists and fellow cyclists alike.

Some motorists happily wave you across, others plow on through deliberately avoiding eye contact. Some motorists even try to wave you across when there is NO ped crossing! How are we cyclists supposed to react when the responses we get are so inconsistent?!?!

Gungahlin Al said :

Barely a week goes by… without hearing a report of a ‘collision between a car and cyclist’.

Barely a DAY goes by without SEVERAL collisions between cars – what’s your point?

Sith Lord of the North said :

…when one is walking on a FOOTpath your hear some pushy come along and say cyclist, implying that I move out of the way for them…

I don’t know where you get that impression from, but you are absolutely wrong.

From TAMS: (my emphasis)
All paths, including “cycle paths” are Shared Paths, used by people riding bikes, walking… all users have legitimate rights on shared paths, and with rights come responsibilities.

One of those responsibilities is to provide a warning to other path users; This is done out of courtesy for the pedestrian. Again – cyclists are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

p1 said :

…and 42.7% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Forfty percent of all people know then, Kent.

I concur with the OP’s original post, but I have succumbed to the point that I now expect cyclists will not slow down at crossings. I always try and make eye contact with the cyclist and will exercise my right of way if safe to do so. But its better to be prepared to brake/stop I guess.

Mind, I’m sufficiently over the issue that it barely raises my heart rate anymore.

A surprisingly regular phenomenon, however, is the uncanny timing of cyclists and pedestrians using pedestrian crossings. Most mornings I turn on to Barry Drive from McCaughey Street in Turner. Quite often traffic wanting to go across Barry Drive to the ANU blocks the ability to use the turn left at any time slip lane. So, I’ll be waiting patiently, anticipating my opportunity to go. Then, when my chance does present itself, pedestrians or cyclists arrive at the crossing at that precise point, even though the crossing had remained free the whole time I was unable to go.

This is nobody’s fault, of course, just a mildly irritating display of Murphy’s Law at play.

What is annoying is being behind a car at that same intersection/slip lane that must have THREE clear lanes of traffic before they are willing to move out on to Barry Drive. Now that really does get my goat. If someone wants to turn right shortly after on to Kingsley Street there is more often than not the time to move into either of the left lanes and use an indicator to move into the far right lane and turn off safely. If said nervous nellie is not sufficiently able to merge lanes to do this then there can’t be a lot going on upstairs. Worse if all they want to do is turn on Marcus Clarke Street which is further down the road.

Danman said :

I dont think good cyclists are few and far between, just that people only notice the bad ones.

My standard response

Bah,
this can’t be true, i only ever remember seeing bad cyclists.

I dont think good cyclists are few and far between, just that people only notice the bad ones.

My standard response

Jim Jones said :

I should also add that I’m a huge fan of riding my bicycle whilst either completely blind drunk or stoned out of my tree.

Sometimes both … although, admittedly, it’s been a while.

Hehe! Awesome!

I should also add that I’m a huge fan of riding my bicycle whilst either completely blind drunk or stoned out of my tree.

Sometimes both … although, admittedly, it’s been a while.

chewy14 said :

Jim Jones said :

chewy14 said :

Jim Jones said :

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

And how did this inconvenience anyone?

So you’re allowed to break the law as long as it doesn’t inconvenience anyone?

Awesome.

Oh and it’s such a vital law for the proper functioning of this society. If cyclists didn’t follow this law, well the consequences would be drastic: Nazi dinosaurs would again stride the earth, sowing chaos and destruction in their wake.

This can’t be the same Jim Jones who want every driver going 110 on the parkway strung up. Are you feeling alright Jim?

I don’t want anyone speeding ‘strung up’. The only argument I’ve made about speeding is that, if you’re caught you should man up and pay the fine without whining about ‘revenue raising’.

I paid a speeding fine at lunchtime. It sucks, but I was busted speeding, so I accept the consequences without trying to deflect responsibility to ‘the evil revenue raising police’ or some such rubbish.

When I ride, I’ll continue to ride safely and, within this parameter, do pretty much whatever the hell I want. If a cop decides to haul me in for, I dunno, crossing at a pedestrian crossing without dismounting, I’ll take my lumps.

reepy said :

So pedestrians aren’t happy when we ride on the paths and vehicles aren’t happy when we ride on the road?

Change ‘path’ to ‘footpath’ and you got it.

Imagine coming across a crossroad in your car where you have right of way, but must legally get out of your vehicle and push it across… how likely is that rule to be ignored by the majority of the motoring population? Extremely.

For a more fair comparison, imagine coming across a rail crossing in your car, and having to actually STOP, look both ways, and then cross. Sure, you can ignore the rule if you wish, but you’ll just end up on the news as another level crossing accident. The reason cyclists get away with it more often, is because cars have the ability to avoid the accident.

neanderthalsis said :

It is all well and good to think you can ride as if you own the road, but in the event of an altercation between a car and a bike, it aint the driver of the car that’s carted off in a body bag.

But, it is the driver carted off in a paddy-wagon for failing to yield to a moron.

The real problem I have with all this, is lack of accountability. If a driver commits an offence or behaves dangerously on the roads, anyone can report that offence and vehicle to the authorities. If a cyclist commits an offence, all you can do is moan on RA, with no chance of repurcussion for the cyclist. Other than not ending up in a body bag, what incentive do cyclists have to follow the unenforcable laws?

This can’t be the same Jim Jones who want every driver going 110 on the parkway strung up. Are you feeling alright Jim?

Only 110? Pfftt.

Jim Jones said :

chewy14 said :

Jim Jones said :

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

And how did this inconvenience anyone?

So you’re allowed to break the law as long as it doesn’t inconvenience anyone?

Awesome.

Oh and it’s such a vital law for the proper functioning of this society. If cyclists didn’t follow this law, well the consequences would be drastic: Nazi dinosaurs would again stride the earth, sowing chaos and destruction in their wake.

Last time I chacked, breaking a law even if it doesn’t inconvenience anyone is still a crime. I’m certain if said cyclist was then hit by a vehicle whilst engaging in this illegal and potentially dangerous act there would be uproar form the eco-warrior pedal power movement.

It is all well and good to think you can ride as if you own the road, but in the event of an altercation between a car and a bike, it aint the driver of the car that’s carted off in a body bag.

Jim Jones said :

chewy14 said :

Jim Jones said :

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

And how did this inconvenience anyone?

So you’re allowed to break the law as long as it doesn’t inconvenience anyone?

Awesome.

Oh and it’s such a vital law for the proper functioning of this society. If cyclists didn’t follow this law, well the consequences would be drastic: Nazi dinosaurs would again stride the earth, sowing chaos and destruction in their wake.

This can’t be the same Jim Jones who want every driver going 110 on the parkway strung up. Are you feeling alright Jim?

chewy14 said :

Jim Jones said :

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

And how did this inconvenience anyone?

So you’re allowed to break the law as long as it doesn’t inconvenience anyone?

Awesome.

Oh and it’s such a vital law for the proper functioning of this society. If cyclists didn’t follow this law, well the consequences would be drastic: Nazi dinosaurs would again stride the earth, sowing chaos and destruction in their wake.

I am a cyclist myself, and cant stand these types of “Rebel” cyclists giving the good ones (few & far between) a bad name. I concur, obey the road rules, or catch a bus.

Gungahlin Al said :

It’s one thing that the cyclist may have little regard for their own safety, but if I as a driver take someone out (a) I get to live with the ‘guilt’ of having maimed or killed someone, (b) given the way the law often seems to go, will probably cop a ‘share’ of the blame, and (c) a lesser consideration, lose the use of my vehicle during repairs and maybe cop an excess/claim hit.

Barely a week goes by in this little town without hearing a report of a ‘collision between a car and cyclist’. And we all know who wins those little incidents…
It’s a life and death thing Angry Henry, and *that’s* why I think it’s something worth worrying about.

So watch where you’re driving. There are idiots everywhere, some ride bikes and a lot of them drive cars.

Accept it, check your mirrors and blind spots, ease off the clutch and move on.

Jim Jones said :

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

And how did this inconvenience anyone?

So you’re allowed to break the law as long as it doesn’t inconvenience anyone?

Awesome.

reepy said :

So pedestrians aren’t happy when we ride on the paths and vehicles aren’t happy when we ride on the road? To the sky my pretties!

That is truly awesome!!!

But I can guarantee that someone will start complaining about all the cyclists in *their* airspace and demanding that they stop and get off their flying bikes every 20 metres in order to bow down in grovelling supplication to their driver/pedestrian overlords.

“To the sky my pretties!”

Yeah, where’s my jetpack !

So pedestrians aren’t happy when we ride on the paths and vehicles aren’t happy when we ride on the road? To the sky my pretties!

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

And how did this inconvenience anyone?

ant said :

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

Thats because they are Transformers. more than meets the eye.

I agree with Jim Jones. When done with a proper level of care, I think it’s both safer and quicker for cyclists to ride across zebra crossings. Those I’ve seen dismount to do it (a rare occurrence to be sure), take longer and they often create an obstacle for those on foot as they remount on the other side.

I noticed one the other evening, in arvo rush hour, treadling along the street being a vehicle. Then it didn’t want to wait at the red light, so it became a pedestrian and rode across the zebra crossing (without slowing down), and then resumed its career as a vehicle.

I ride a motorbike, if i turn off the engine and pretend to pedal, can i go on the ped walkway in peak times?

I ride a motorbike too, and fully support this. 🙂

On topic… Lots of people are F*&@wits, and they tend to stand out, giving all cyclists, drivers, pedestrians, cops, networking groups, politicians, rugby league player and windscreen cleaners a bad name.

Didn’t you know? Cyclists have the right to be a vehicle or a pedestrian whenever it suits them.

If you get in their way, prepare to be yelled at before they cycle away like the tough guys they are.

Deckard said :

I’d be more worried about the fact brought up on another thread that 1 in every 50 drivers are drunk. And judging by all the smashed beer bottles on the side of the road they litter as well.

How many times does a cyclist inconvenience you? I’d say for me it would be no more than once a month maybe. But in a 20 min drive to work you’d probably pass more than a few drunk drivers.

I think it is one in every 50 drivers Tested is over the limit of .05

They target the testing, so not one in 50 drivers are drunk.

I’d be more worried about the fact brought up on another thread that 1 in every 50 drivers are drunk. And judging by all the smashed beer bottles on the side of the road they litter as well.

How many times does a cyclist inconvenience you? I’d say for me it would be no more than once a month maybe. But in a 20 min drive to work you’d probably pass more than a few drunk drivers.

I would like to know where these nice and well mannered Push bike riders are, I only see one’s who hog the road thinking they are in the Tour de France.

But the part that gets me, which has happened to me twice this week, is that when one is walking on a FOOTpath your hear some pushy come along and say cyclist, implying that I move out of the way for them, some of these FOOTpaths are very small so there isn’t enough room for both of us, why can’t they ride on the grass and go AROUND me.

the second time it happened to me this week I yelled back Pedestrian and stood still say they had to ride around me, I love it when they gave me a huff!!!!

Oh yeah Lycra is not a good look on a person who is a little overweight.

I think I ticked off enough people today

Yes p1, i know. I was being funny 🙂 , but when it comes to cyclists, Riot-Act is serious business, hardly a week goes by without someone posting a cyclist thread. It’s kind of getting old, but at least you can count on it.

I ride a motorbike, if i turn off the engine and pretend to pedal, can i go on the ped walkway in peak times?

Al, as a cuclist of +100km a week, I fully concur.

I approach zebra crossings with caution and expect to not be waved through.

Sometimes I am, sometimes not, in any case, road traffic, as oppose to pedestrian path traffic always has right of way

Cheers Thumper – my point exactly.

AH: “If this is all you have to worry about you’ve got a pretty decent life.”

It’s one thing that the cyclist may have little regard for their own safety, but if I as a driver take someone out (a) I get to live with the ‘guilt’ of having maimed or killed someone, (b) given the way the law often seems to go, will probably cop a ‘share’ of the blame, and (c) a lesser consideration, lose the use of my vehicle during repairs and maybe cop an excess/claim hit.

Barely a week goes by in this little town without hearing a report of a ‘collision between a car and cyclist’. And we all know who wins those little incidents…
It’s a life and death thing Angry Henry, and *that’s* why I think it’s something worth worrying about.

…and 42.7% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Bikes are vehicles, I agree. Though as someone who rides occasionally I have to admit that it’s quite embarrassing and off putting having to dismount, then walk across a road, taking up those few seconds that every motorist seems to value above and beyond the life of their first born. That said, I always slow to a stop, or near stop before entering a pedestrian crossing on my push bike, only to make sure people driving cars have seen me and are stopping… before riding across.

I agree that those cyclists who fly out onto a pedestrian crossing at 30km/h from behind a bush, are darwin award candidates… and unfortunately, when they cause a crash and kill themselves, it is going to ruin the motor vehicle drivers life, even if the motor vehicle driver is not found at fault.

That also said, pedestrain crossings where a bike path intersects a road is poor, lazy planning by the ACT GovCo. Push bikes are legally considered vehicles… bike paths must then legally be considered “roads” rather than footpaths for wheeled traffic as they are at the moment. Imagine coming across a crossroad in your car where you have right of way, but must legally get out of your vehicle and push it across… how likely is that rule to be ignored by the majority of the motoring population? Extremely.

Where bike paths intersect roads, there must be fully marked out traffic intersections, with give way/stop signs facing traffic on the bike path, or traffic on the general road. That’s how Bunnings in Belconnen did it where a cycle path intersects their entrance. Why cant the ACT GovCo get their arse into gear and do the same?

Perhaps pedal power could organise a protest. Imagine if a few dozen regular cyclists were to meet with their cars, then drive down some of Canberra’s busiest roads one peak hour, all of them stopping at every green light, getting out and pushing their car through the intersection, to get back in on the other side. I dare say that would create one or two waves 🙂

99% of cyclists give the rest a bad name

😉

Totally agree Al.

However, I have no problem with cyclists riding across zebra crossings as long as they slow down to walking pace and have a look.

You hit the nail on the head.

Theres no problem with sensible people or kids riding across the zebra crossing while paying attention to the surroundings, but this issue seems to be about people who just dart straight across the crossing at full-speed without looking, which I believe is a serious issue.

Then again, if a police officer caught them doing it, whats the worst that can happen, maybe a $20 fine, and a ‘dont do it again’? Not like theres any accountability for cyclists who break the law anyway, so its a moot point, just let them break the law and accept that theres nothing you or anyone else can do about it until natural selection takes them out on a crossing.

What is it about some car drivers in this town that they don’t understand keep clear areas ?

There is one on Barry Drive, Moore St, that every bloody morning some nuff nuffs block up the area, oblivious to the huge effin KEEP CLEAR and big yellow X on the road.

Yep it takes twice as long to wait for someone to walk across.

These cyclist debates strike me as sh*t-stirring for the sake of it.

If this is all you have to worry about you’ve got a pretty decent life.

Go out and live it.

Yes agree with Jim especially on the small crossings on the ‘turn left at any time with care’ slip lanes. When I started cycling in Canberra I used to hop off and walk these as required by the ‘law’ but I stopped after an agro driver yelled at me to ‘hurry the f.. up’ because I took up 15 seconds of his time and it did get kind of annoying having to dismount all the time for these. Better all round for everyone to make eye contact, ensure the cars are stopping/slowing down then zoom across.

I’ve got no problem with cyclists riding across pedestrian crossings (it’s quicker and more convenient for everyone). But it is *essential* that the cyclist ensure that this is only ever done in a safe fashion (i.e. making eye contact with the driver and only crossing when it’s obvious that s/he is going to stop).

People that don’t follow this rule are giving the bulk of responsible cyclists a bad name.

Spot-on, Al. Pedestrian = walking. Bike = vehicle. Zebra crossings are for pedestrians.