25 April 2013

Faster than a speeding (car!?)

| paperboy
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Heading home along Belconnen Way last night I came across one of the most bizarre sights I’ve seen while driving.

As I approached the traffic lights near Bunnings, I caught a brief glimpse of a guy on a bike, but paid little attention. As the lights changed, he virtually disappeared. It was only as I approached the Coulter Drive intersection, I noticed him flying along, at a pace. I was travelling just over 60kph, but he was pulling further away. His peddles were turning, but not at a rate to travel uphill at that sort of speed.

I assume he had some form of electric bike, doctored to override the usual speed limit of around 25kph.

The rider turned into Page before I had a chance to get a close look at the bike, but I’m sure the police would be interested in having a chat with him.


UPDATE: Ed has sent through this photo:

Here’s a photo for that story about the speeding cyclist.

It looked like an Action bus driver given the uniform

He was doing about 65km/h east bound uphill on Belconnen Way

electric bike

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Aeek said :

Mallion said :

gooterz said :

Where can I get one?

stealth electric bikes
http://www.stealthelectricbikes.com.au/bomber.html

Fun how its fine to sell things that its almost impossible to use legally, and no need to mention that minor detail. Especially the “Street”, given these can only be ridden on private property, how Street can it be?

the “Street”??? don’t see it. They all seem to be named after forms of destruction to me.

LSWCHP said :

I just saw the photo with the guy in the green hi-vis vest going up Belco Way, and it’s not the same idiot as my idiot on the GDE this arvo. My bloke was a young idiot, and his bike was all bare metal and very beat up looking…no red frame. And he could definitely do more than 65 km/h.

It’s hard to believe that two of these imbeciles can motivate around our main drags in broad daylight without a passing rozzer laying a hand on them.

No rego and no insurance. If they hit you then it’s tuffsky shitsky, as they say in Mother Russia.

Now that this has been highlighted here my guess is that it’s only a matter of time before someone in the bureaucracy reins these buggers in.The power of RA!

I just saw the photo with the guy in the green hi-vis vest going up Belco Way, and it’s not the same idiot as my idiot on the GDE this arvo. My bloke was a young idiot, and his bike was all bare metal and very beat up looking…no red frame. And he could definitely do more than 65 km/h.

It’s hard to believe that two of these imbeciles can motivate around our main drags in broad daylight without a passing rozzer laying a hand on them.

No rego and no insurance. If they hit you then it’s tuffsky shitsky, as they say in Mother Russia.

Mallion said :

gooterz said :

Where can I get one?

stealth electric bikes
http://www.stealthelectricbikes.com.au/bomber.html

Fun how its fine to sell things that its almost impossible to use legally, and no need to mention that minor detail. Especially the “Street”, given these can only be ridden on private property, how Street can it be?

That is beyond awesome.

gooterz said :

Where can I get one?

stealth electric bikes
http://www.stealthelectricbikes.com.au/bomber.html

About an hour ago this idiot (or someone like him) pulled on to the GDE from the Barton Highway as I went toward Mitchell. I was doing 90 km/h and he was going almost as fast on his little home brew bike. I swear my jaw almost hit my lap as I went past him.

A few seconds later I was in two lines of traffic turning right into Mitchell at the set of lights when I hear this high pitched whining noise. For a moment I thought it was my car making the noise, then realised the guy had pulled up beside me in the middle of the road. The light changed and he took off like a rocket, weaving his little bike all over the road through the traffic while overtaking the cars like they were standing still. He left all the cars for dead and headed off into the wilds of Mitchell.

He was riding like a lunatic. It really was some of the most insanely dangerous road action I’ve ever seen. A guy who rides a device like that, in that manner, in traffic with no rego and no insurance is going to end up causing tears for himself or someone else if the cops don’t get to him.

Jungle Jim said :

AAMC said :

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

It’s quite possible that Justin “Mully” Williams wasn’t necessarily out to hurt anyone in the stolen Mazda either. Doesn’t mean this couldn’t end in disaster if this dude was to collide with a regular cyclist.

Of course Mully didn’t intend to kill anyone although running a red light at 140km/h can be rather problematic.I perused the scene the following morning and it looked like a bomb went off!

AAMC said :

NoImRight said :

AAMC said :

Jungle Jim said :

AAMC said :

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

It’s quite possible that Justin “Mully” Williams wasn’t necessarily out to hurt anyone in the stolen Mazda either. Doesn’t mean this couldn’t end in disaster if this dude was to collide with a regular cyclist.

Wow I take my comments back; there is obviously a direct comparison between these two events. Obviously the AFP should now apprehend our cyclist friend and charge him with culpable driving resulting in death, evading police, illegal use of a bicycle; lucky they will get him before anyone gets hurt!

Has anyone ever considered that the instant negative reaction to an individual’s initiative results in a lack of innovation and positive development for your own society?

No doubt a lot of Darwin Award winners thought they were bold innovators too.

Morbid I admit, but the Darwin awards motto does support my point:”Contributing to human evolution by self-selecting themselves out of the gene pool” “

Whatver the motto it does not address the thoughts of the participants which is the actual point. We may see them as nutters but they may well have thought they were about to make a “mullion” dollars.

maybe this is a decoy for prince harry for when he lobs into town..?

NoImRight said :

AAMC said :

Jungle Jim said :

AAMC said :

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

It’s quite possible that Justin “Mully” Williams wasn’t necessarily out to hurt anyone in the stolen Mazda either. Doesn’t mean this couldn’t end in disaster if this dude was to collide with a regular cyclist.

Wow I take my comments back; there is obviously a direct comparison between these two events. Obviously the AFP should now apprehend our cyclist friend and charge him with culpable driving resulting in death, evading police, illegal use of a bicycle; lucky they will get him before anyone gets hurt!

Has anyone ever considered that the instant negative reaction to an individual’s initiative results in a lack of innovation and positive development for your own society?

No doubt a lot of Darwin Award winners thought they were bold innovators too.

Morbid I admit, but the Darwin awards motto does support my point:”Contributing to human evolution by self-selecting themselves out of the gene pool” “

AAMC said :

Jungle Jim said :

AAMC said :

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

It’s quite possible that Justin “Mully” Williams wasn’t necessarily out to hurt anyone in the stolen Mazda either. Doesn’t mean this couldn’t end in disaster if this dude was to collide with a regular cyclist.

Wow I take my comments back; there is obviously a direct comparison between these two events. Obviously the AFP should now apprehend our cyclist friend and charge him with culpable driving resulting in death, evading police, illegal use of a bicycle; lucky they will get him before anyone gets hurt!

Has anyone ever considered that the instant negative reaction to an individual’s initiative results in a lack of innovation and positive development for your own society?

No doubt a lot of Darwin Award winners thought they were bold innovators too.

Jungle Jim said :

AAMC said :

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

It’s quite possible that Justin “Mully” Williams wasn’t necessarily out to hurt anyone in the stolen Mazda either. Doesn’t mean this couldn’t end in disaster if this dude was to collide with a regular cyclist.

Wow I take my comments back; there is obviously a direct comparison between these two events. Obviously the AFP should now apprehend our cyclist friend and charge him with culpable driving resulting in death, evading police, illegal use of a bicycle; lucky they will get him before anyone gets hurt!

Has anyone ever considered that the instant negative reaction to an individual’s initiative results in a lack of innovation and positive development for your own society?

Mike Bessenger12:42 pm 26 Apr 13

I don’t see a big issue in high powered electric bikes. The government see it as an issue as they are missing out on the revenue from rego.
I say good on him! Maybe take of your work vest though haha.

Interesting to convert what appears to be a ~3-4 year old DH bike into an e-bike, rather than some crappy ready-made-for-e-biking setup. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but then neither do most of the e-bikes that I overtake on my leg-powered bike.

Wonder if he takes it offroad? The 8 inches of travel and DH tyres seem wasted .. unless of course he likes to ride straight over the top of any beetle or MX-5 that cuts him off. At least he’s got the brakes / tyres suitable stopping from 60kmh..

This bike seems familiar .. has it not been shown here before?

Can we make up our minds what we expect police to do on the roads?

Every whiny thread about speed cameras has the usual carry on about more police being better and why dont they catch speeders. When the police do catch someone theres a big carry on about how they should be getting “real” criminals and not just “revenue raising”. Recently theres been another drone about all the offences that police dont seem to bother about , fog lights mobile phones blah blah blah. Now a thread about someone riding possibly illegaly, on a bike that may itself be illegal.The rider may be a potential hazard to others and yet theres a chorus of “leave him alone he does no harm kill joys!” Oddly even an attack on the Police as if they have already picked up this guy when their only involvement so far is a mention by the OP that they might be interested.

It seems no matter what all you want to do is complain with no real interest in practicalities or reality. Why should police respond to these sorts of complaints when its just an ever changing wish list?

AAMC said :

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

It’s quite possible that Justin “Mully” Williams wasn’t necessarily out to hurt anyone in the stolen Mazda either. Doesn’t mean this couldn’t end in disaster if this dude was to collide with a regular cyclist.

fromthecapital10:08 am 26 Apr 13

A bit off topic, but I saw a massive penny farthing on adelaide ave the other day. When I saw it I realised it’s a great way to be visible on the green line…

“Oh noes – the fun police strike again!
Thought a ‘paperboy’ would fully support fast electric bikes.”

Yet another thread with the usual crowd justifying why rules shouldn’t apply to cyclists.

If the guy was registered and had a motorbike license, power to him. If not, then despite the tears of those here he would be breaking the law

Do you really think that the Australian regulatory environment would be flexible enough to allow registration of such a vehicle? Additionally, if this vehicle could be registered he would only need a car licence to operate it, similar to low capacity scooters, and then he would be able to use the vehicle lanes…..I bet that would annoy the vocal minority more.

Really, who cares, he’s not out to hurt anyone; why not leave him be?

bundah said :

Must be fast coz he’s wearing a full face helmet so it won’t be long before the plod pull him over..

And he’ll get a huge shock when he realises the fines will total more than $1500…

FrankReynolds said :

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-26/motorised-bike-chase-through-darwin/4652430

Seems like it’s not only Belco riders.

That’s hilarious

Plod:why didn’t you pull over?
Goose:coz i was up for a chase!

‘Police are still deciding what to charges to lay’. One too many to’s in there ABC News

Must be fast coz he’s wearing a full face helmet so it won’t be long before the plod pull him over..

bundah said :

An electric bike disappearing into the distance? wow i’d like to see that!

Sounds like he’s converted the “Mr Fusion” unit from his Delorian to get that sort of speed.

bundah said :

An electric bike disappearing into the distance? wow i’d like to see that!

Any ordinary bike just disappearing would be a good start.

Felix the Cat3:17 pm 25 Apr 13

gooterz said :

Where can I get one?

I think Pushys in Fyshwick sell electric bikes and Uni Cycles at ANU definitely have a couple.

Saw a guy on a MTB today wizzing along the bike path near Lennox Gardens, he was going to fast to see if he had a motor but he was barely pedaling so I’d say he does have one. Not that I care either way really, good luck to him if he has.

Aeek @ #16 – You’re quite right of course. I should have typed 60 is too fast for an “electric” pushie. Anyone who can get up to that speed under their own steam will have more respect for their limitations and is probably riding a frame sturdy enough for that speed.

Where can I get one?

Aeek said :

Disagree that 60 is too fast for a bicycle but all I have to do is hit the brakes with BOTH hands. He has to kill the throttle as well and has the added momentum of the motor package.

Every ebike package I’ve seen automatically cuts the throttle when either brake is applied.

cranky said :

I have had occasion to visit Bunnings Belco, entering from Belco Way (heading east). What is it with cyclists, also heading east, crossing the Bunnings entry at 125 kph, and making a motorist the fall guy for any accident?

You’re entering a driveway? Path has right of way over driveway.

Innovation said :

60 is too fast for a pushie. I hope he slows down or he’ll ruin it for others who have illegally overpowered bicycles but ride sensibly.

Disagree that 60 is too fast for a bicycle but all I have to do is hit the brakes with BOTH hands. He has to kill the throttle as well and has the added momentum of the motor package.

I see a petrol bicycle around on and off. Obviously over powered, noisy and stinky, but the guy rides it responsibly so I’ll regretfully tolerate him. Likewise the students I saw riding Asian market electric bikes sensibly some years back. A disabled mate has a massively overpowered electric scooter but he needs it for his local hills. Really, who cares how powerful it is if its speed limited.

This idiot though, hope they do him quickly before he hurts himself or especially someone else.
Out of character for Canberra policing to bother though.

I have had occasion to visit Bunnings Belco, entering from Belco Way (heading east). What is it with cyclists, also heading east, crossing the Bunnings entry at 125 kph, and making a motorist the fall guy for any accident?

Kramer said :

Oh noes – the fun police strike again!
Thought a ‘paperboy’ would fully support fast electric bikes.

The OP does have a point, if its the same guy I have seen he is travelling with the traffic in the cycle lanes at road speed with little more than a stack hat & an orange vest. Pushbikes are not designed for this sort of sustained high speed use.

He is going too fast for the cycle lanes and if he happened to hit someone he would do some damage & doesn’t have TPI.

If he wants a high powered pushy, leave it off the road.

Any chance he was wearing a black cashmere jumper?

“As I approached the traffic lights near Bunnings, I caught a brief glimpse of a guy on a bike, but paid little attention.”

This was all I saw…

Dilandach said :

Kramer said :

Oh noes – the fun police strike again!
Thought a ‘paperboy’ would fully support fast electric bikes.

Yet another thread with the usual crowd justifying why rules shouldn’t apply to cyclists.

If the guy was registered and had a motorbike license, power to him. If not, then despite the tears of those here he would be breaking the law.

Nancy boy.

I have seen this guy a couple of times going like a bat out of hell, Coulter/Southern area. Looks like a home made electric bike. He will probably come a cropper one day.

Nah, it was a weather balloon.

Swamp gas.

60 is too fast for a pushie. I hope he slows down or he’ll ruin it for others who have illegally overpowered bicycles but ride sensibly.

Kramer said :

Oh noes – the fun police strike again!
Thought a ‘paperboy’ would fully support fast electric bikes.

Yet another thread with the usual crowd justifying why rules shouldn’t apply to cyclists.

If the guy was registered and had a motorbike license, power to him. If not, then despite the tears of those here he would be breaking the law.

Electric bikes? Doesn’t this defeat the objective of cycling (to keep fit)?

An electric bike disappearing into the distance? wow i’d like to see that!

Oh noes – the fun police strike again!
Thought a ‘paperboy’ would fully support fast electric bikes.

RandomPoster4:51 pm 24 Apr 13

This might be the one I saw on Belconnen way a few months back, looks like a home conversion. He was going about 60kph.

rar rar rego… rar… something…. rar… foot path…. rar…

Why can’t someone go about their business without the cops being involved?

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