16 August 2013

How (not) to share the road

| Publicserpent
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If the middle-aged brunette driver of the Nissan X-Trail (YDY 34C) that felt the need to blast their horn at me – while traveling through the roundabout between McCaughey and Masson Streets – would like to explain what point you were trying to make, I’d be much obliged.

Another shining example of tolerance on Canberra’s roads!

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CraigT said :

rigseismic67 said :

Being a road user you are meant to be tolerant of other road users, something you are obviously not. Regardless of her horn you should learn to share the road
You don’t own the road, only share it with the rest of us.

But being a cyclist means he delights in obstructing other people and holding them up.

So ‘sharing the roads’ = get out of my way I’m a motorist.

:golfclap:

rigseismic67 said :

Being a road user you are meant to be tolerant of other road users, something you are obviously not. Regardless of her horn you should learn to share the road
You don’t own the road, only share it with the rest of us.

But being a cyclist means he delights in obstructing other people and holding them up.

As an example of sharing, MacArthur Avenue is 2 lanes but often light traffic. When I notice the only vehicle behind me is signalling left I LOVE to shift to the right lane. It’s pure win win.

rigseismic67 said :

Being a road user you are meant to be tolerant of other road users, something you are obviously not. Regardless of her horn you should learn to share the road
You don’t own the road, only share it with the rest of us.

As a cyclist, I’m all about sharing the road. I just don’t get how being attacked with a horn or threatened with over 1 tonne of metal is sharing.

rigseismic679:40 pm 27 Aug 13

Being a road user you are meant to be tolerant of other road users, something you are obviously not. Regardless of her horn you should learn to share the road
You don’t own the road, only share it with the rest of us.

thebrownstreak6910:39 am 19 Aug 13

One thing I find interesting about threads like this is the impression that problems are widespread. I’ve walked, ridden and driven around Canberra for a couple of decades now, and never had any problem more serious than having to brake suddenly a few times (both bike and car) because someone did something silly, and that was the end of it. I’ve never once had a problem with either bikes or cars while I was a pedestrian. All in all, I’d say that was a pretty good outcome.

Holden Caulfield10:12 am 19 Aug 13

davecdp said :

I don’t understand why bike riders don’t use the paths? Its safer and more relaxing that trying to fit in with cars especially on these smaller streets. If this roundabout is where I think it is, i’m pretty sure there is one of the good larger bitumen bike paths on this route. If it makes your commute quicker to use the road your being a bit of a hypocrite because most of you are telling the cars they should slow down and don’t rush their commute…..

As a general rule I would agree with you. However, in this instance the cycle path you’re thinking of runs perpendicular to the route the OP is taking.

Weatherman said :

The cyclist was riding on the road, when there is a footpath nearby and it is also legal in the ACT to cycle on footpaths. The lane width on many roads were not designed for accommodating both a bike and a car, whilst there is oncoming traffic. That’s the actual situation, despite all the hoopla about how we should be sharing roads.

The Dutch solution to have cycle paths segregated is the most logical solution. No risk of collision.

I’ll get my quoting right this time :-/

Yes, segregated cycle paths would be the ideal solutions.

There are several problems with paths that lead to cyclists using parallel roads.

A major one is right-of-way. A footpath running parallel to a trunk road will be dissected by all side roads, and a cyclist will have to give way at every cross-over point, expending far more energy accelerating each time than they would if they cycled on the trunk road, where they would have right-of-way. No motorist would use a parallel side road with give ways at every single intersection if they had the option to use the trunk road, and they are expending far less energy than cyclists.

Cyclists leaving paths to crossing road are also very vulnerable to turning traffic, especially coming from behind. Head checks for cyclists are much trickier than for drivers as they can affect balance and line much more, and motorists, while they are expected to be situationally aware, are generally looking for other cars on the road. Being on the road in bright colours puts you in a more prominent position to negotiate these intersections, in theory.

Then there are the driveways and lane ways that dissect paths, and the myriad hedges, walls, and fences that conceal cyclists and reversing vehicles from one another. Not to mention all the obstructions in the form of overgrowth and vehicles parked across footpaths.

The pedestrian traffic on footpaths is anarchic and follows no hard and fast rules. At least cars have a set of rules that makes their actions more predictable, again in theory.

Paths also might also take rambling lines, diverge away, or there are limited access points, or the cyclist intends to turn right, or other indirections.

And then there’s path quality, which doesn’t matter much on some bikes, like MTBs, but can make it very unpleasant for someone riding on slimline road tyres running at 110+ psi.

Cyclists don’t want to mix with cars anymore than cars want to mix with cyclists, but until everyone gets what they want, the mixing will continue.

magiccar9 said :

Why is it always up to drivers to make the compromise?
Why can’t the cyclist be considerate and stay as close to the left as possible (or better yet use the paths build for them)?

Is it really that bad for everyone to make an effort? No, it’s common sense. So just use it.

I will ride as far over to the left as is safe, I’m not going to ride in the gutter just because it is possible, I’m not going to ride in an area where I can be hit by opening doors just to “keep as far left as possible”. If the bike paths go where I need to go I am happy to use them. If the video above is a car driver ‘making an effort’ then it is probably better if they didn’t

TheBusDriver said :

Common sense says you don’t suddenly dart right in front of a car behind you.

Where’s the darting? He’s riding a straight line through the apexes of the curves of the –>single lane<– roundabout like many drivers and motorcyclist would do, doing head checks and drifting away from the curb in the lead up to the roundabout to own the intersection before returning to the left after negotiating the roundabout.

The only person who would resent that and honk is an asshat intending to overtake in a single lane roundabout while breaking the three-second buffer rule and ignoring all indications of intent. The driver's not honking as a courtesy; I don't believe anyone is genuinely naive enough to believe that. The car doesn't even honk until he's half-way through the intersection.

Why is it always up to drivers to make the compromise?
Why can't the cyclist be considerate and stay as close to the left as possible (or better yet use the paths build for them)? Why can't parents keep their children (or pets) away from roads (like responsible parents should)?

Is it really that bad for everyone to make an effort? No, it’s common sense. So just use it.

Mainly because the majority of the time it’s drivers operating their heavy machinery at speed in urban areas who are at fault, and cause the overwhelming majority of carnage on the road overall, especially the ones who have an over-inflated opinion of their own driving skills.

Most other road users like cyclists and pedestrians already know this and compromise, staying left, waiting for you to pass, using pedestrian crossings instead stepping straight out in front of you. You’re just too blind to see it.

johnboy said :

Have you ridden on a footpath?

Between the gaps, cracks, pedestrians, and cars pulling out behind fences it’s not an option for anything but the shortest of trips

Yep i ride a few times a week to work, the majority is on the smoother bitumen bike paths and about 5 streets on the paths in front of houses. You just have to ride to the conditions when around pedestrians and fences etc. Still don’t think the condition of the paths and saving a bit of time is worth putting myself at risk on the road.

The cyclist was riding on the road, when there is a footpath nearby and it is also legal in the ACT to cycle on footpaths. The lane width on many roads were not designed for accommodating both a bike and a car, whilst there is oncoming traffic. That’s the actual situation, despite all the hoopla about how we should be sharing roads.

The Dutch solution to have cycle paths segregated is the most logical solution. No risk of collision.

BimboGeek said :

Ok here are the rules of intelligent driving.

If you see one kangaroo look out for her family.

If you come up behind a cyclist riding somewhere that it’s not brilliant to overtake or if there’s someone coming the other way, just wait a few moments or a hundred metres and then pull out.

Check gor cyclists when exiting a busy road. Again if you need to brake for a moment, big whoop.

Slow to a crawl if you see children playing near the road. Or dogs off leash.

Is it really so bad being in your car with your air con and your thoughts and your favourite music? No, it’s lovely. So just enjoy it.

Why is it always up to drivers to make the compromise?
Why can’t the cyclist be considerate and stay as close to the left as possible (or better yet use the paths build for them)? Why can’t parents keep their children (or pets) away from roads (like responsible parents should)?

Is it really that bad for everyone to make an effort? No, it’s common sense. So just use it.

TheBusDriver said :

Okay, let me clarify my post. I did not and do not advocate overtaking in round abouts. What I said was that with the bike on the left, the driver could safely overtake, I meant on a straight stretch of road. Even well before before and after a round about, the driver can safely overtake, because the cyclist is not in their line of travel. Suddenly, with no warning, the cyclist gets right in the car’s line of travel. It is kind of like when you are on double lane road and the car just in front of you in the left lane chnges to the lane right in front of you with no warning. If something goes wrong with that car you have the potential to have an accident. The same with the cyclist, they’re suddenly right in front of the car and if the shit hits the fan, they have the potential to be under the car.
Now all you trolls and egotists put away your crap and see reality for what it is. The cyclist did something stupid. The car driver was doing them a favor.

Last person anyone should take driving advice from is a bus driver frankly, though it’s probably a tie with taxi drivers.

johnboy said :

Have you ridden on a footpath? Between the gaps, cracks, pedestrians, and cars pulling out behind fences it’s not an option for anything but the shortest of trips

Have you ever driven on a road? Between the potholes and cyclists it’s not an option for anyth… stop me if you’ve heard this before.

So I get that bicycles are now fully legal road vehicles, with the same rights to the road as cars and motorbikes and trucks.

What other vehicles are allowed? Can I ride my skateboard on the road? How about rollerblades? A pedal-powered kart?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

What eucy said. If I’m riding where it’s not safe for you to overtake me, I won’t let you pass for a few seconds. Or if I’m riding along a busy road and there’s an exit I will be saying prayers because I’m scared.

You frighten us with your road rage. I take care not to be that guy when I’m driving (which is most of the time, lately).

TheBusDriver said :

I think if you stuck to the curb when there are vehicles right behind you,

The curb is death to an aware cyclist. You give away any chance of escape.

johnboy said :

Have you ridden on a footpath?

Between the gaps, cracks, pedestrians, and cars pulling out behind fences

Ironically, path has right of way over driveway but sadly too many drivers are oblivious to that.
(not many fences in Canberra but shrubbery blocks sight-lines well enough)

TheBusDriver6:39 pm 18 Aug 13

I didn’t say the rider was doing anything illegal, or that they didn’t have the right to “take ownership” of the road, I said ithey did something stupid. Sure, they might have every legal right to ride like that, but if there is a car following close behind, and the cyclist suddenly darts into the middle of the road like this rider did, that is obviously stupid.
Sure cars are not supposed to overtake on round abouts, but as I know, they do. This car obviously overtook just after the round about. Meaning it was pretty close behind the bike as they entered the round about. Suppose the cyclist slipped and fell? Would they then take ownership for the car running them over because they did something stupid?
Yes there is right, and wrong, but it it is all good and well thinking “wow, I’m in the right” as you get run over for doing something stupid.
I understand where the cyclists are coming from, but as a professional driver I see so many accidents caused by people ‘in the right’ pushing that to the point of it becoming dangerous driving and then an accident. There’s right and there’s common sense. Common sense says you don’t suddenly dart right in front of a car behind you. Personally I’d rather excercise caution than exercise ownership of the road because one day that ownership is going to get you run over where as the caution won’t.

jase! said :

TheBusDriver said :

The cyclist did something stupid. The car driver was doing them a favor.

no they didn’t. the rider took ownership of their part of the road before the roundabout to ensure their safety through it and no amount of name calling to those that disagree with you will change that fact

johnboy said :

Have you ridden on a footpath?

Between the gaps, cracks, pedestrians, and cars pulling out behind fences it’s not an option for anything but the shortest of trips

And you have to stop every time the footpath crosses a road (as the rider in video we’re discussing would’ve). If you’re otherwise riding at ~30km/h that adds a serious amount of time and effort to any bike commute.

So the Busdriver wants respect when driving his bus in roundabouts but doesn’t want to give the same. Fail!

TheBusDriver said :

The cyclist did something stupid. The car driver was doing them a favor.

no they didn’t. the rider took ownership of their part of the road before the roundabout to ensure their safety through it and no amount of name calling to those that disagree with you will change that fact

I don’t understand why bike riders don’t use the paths? Its safer and more relaxing that trying to fit in with cars especially on these smaller streets. If this roundabout is where I think it is, i’m pretty sure there is one of the good larger bitumen bike paths on this route. If it makes your commute quicker to use the road your being a bit of a hypocrite because most of you are telling the cars they should slow down and don’t rush their commute…..

Have you ridden on a footpath?

Between the gaps, cracks, pedestrians, and cars pulling out behind fences it’s not an option for anything but the shortest of trips

TheBusDriver12:45 pm 18 Aug 13

Okay, let me clarify my post. I did not and do not advocate overtaking in round abouts. What I said was that with the bike on the left, the driver could safely overtake, I meant on a straight stretch of road. Even well before before and after a round about, the driver can safely overtake, because the cyclist is not in their line of travel. Suddenly, with no warning, the cyclist gets right in the car’s line of travel. It is kind of like when you are on double lane road and the car just in front of you in the left lane chnges to the lane right in front of you with no warning. If something goes wrong with that car you have the potential to have an accident. The same with the cyclist, they’re suddenly right in front of the car and if the shit hits the fan, they have the potential to be under the car.
Now all you trolls and egotists put away your crap and see reality for what it is. The cyclist did something stupid. The car driver was doing them a favor.

When I commute by bike I too take the lane in a roundabout. I don’t just pull out, I look back to check that I can move right and then slot in with the traffic flow as necessary. Moreover, I find that cars often slow me down in roundabouts and some corners (such as going left from Athllon into Melrose around the bottom of the Marist playing fields) yet they continue to try to get past you. I’ve even been tooted when going around that corner, when I’m outpacing the car. But I digress.

OP was well within their right to navigate the road as they did and anyone who thinks otherwise should cut up their licence. If that woman couldn’t see that the OP was going to traverse the roundabout as they did her anticipation skills are so poor she doesn’t deserve the privilege of operating a horseless carriage.

A middle-aged woman driving an SUV in the suburbs who is an intolerant road user? I’m shocked.

Ok here are the rules of intelligent driving.

If you see one kangaroo look out for her family.

If you come up behind a cyclist riding somewhere that it’s not brilliant to overtake or if there’s someone coming the other way, just wait a few moments or a hundred metres and then pull out.

Check gor cyclists when exiting a busy road. Again if you need to brake for a moment, big whoop.

Slow to a crawl if you see children playing near the road. Or dogs off leash.

Is it really so bad being in your car with your air con and your thoughts and your favourite music? No, it’s lovely. So just enjoy it.

One of the most frightening things when I’m cycling is when a car tries to squeeze past, coming really close to me and pushing me off the side of the road. This is more likely to happen at roundabouts, when a car driver thinks they’ve got enough room to overtake (squeeze past) within a lane, but ends up too close, particularly if the road narrows again coming out of the roundabout.

One thing that many cyclists do to avoid this situation is to be confident in riding out from the gutter and ‘taking the lane’ at locations such as this, forcing the car driver to wait behind, rather than squeeze past when there’s not enough room. A few posters have suggested that this makes the cyclist more vulnerable to being run over but actually it doesn’t. It makes us very visible. What is more dangerous is getting squashed into the curb, forced off the road, or even clipped by a car squeezing past when there’s not enough room. All of these things have happened to me, and I now plan my commuting to avoid as many roundabouts and intersections as possible. I can see why, judging by a lot of the comments on this thread! But if I do go through a roundabout like this, I ‘take the lane’ as a very deliberate strategy to reduce the risk of getting hit by a car passing too close.

However, what would be even better is if all road users could be a bit more careful, understanding and patient.

The Amy Gillett Foundation have a campaign called ‘ a metre matters ‘ explaining why it’s important to give cyclists plenty of space.

http://www.amygillett.org.au/a-metre-matters

Just a further sign that human life is not of a high value on ACT roads

Holden Caulfield8:55 pm 17 Aug 13

Lederhosen said :

The bike rider in this clip has done the right thing by taking the lane entering the roundabout. Sticking to the left as suggested by busdriver is a much more dangerous position for riders to be in as drivers are encouraged to squeeze by on a diminishing amount of road, or worse still, turn left in front of the rider. A number of cyclists in London have been killed by lorries turning left.
There are many roundabouts in Canberra with bike lanes which end just before the roundabout, the best approach is to allow the rider to clear the roundabout before passing safely.

Yep, and it’s not difficult either.

I used to go through this roundabout daily and it’s no major hassle at all to give a cyclist the time and space to travel through using the full lane. It’s certainly not safe to try and go through two abreast.

Holden Caulfield8:52 pm 17 Aug 13

Minz said :

CraigT said :

Hang on – a cyclist, complaining about road sharing????

What a hoot.

Personally, I often honk at cyclists. They inconvenience me, clogging up the road with their childish hobby, they can put up with some noise.

Your choice mate – I can commute by bike (which doesn’t take your road-space, being entirely on bike paths) or I can commute in my clapped-out tiny-engined 70s car (very much in your road-space but travelling 10 km/h slower than you want to). As a bonus, you can toot at me when I’m doing the second one, and I’ll drop down a gear specially for ya! 🙂

It’s a shame two tossers don’t make a considerate road user.

Very Busy said :

Publicserpent said :

There was no safe place to pass until the other side of the intersection.

That would be an absolutely correct statement due to the very obvious arrogant and self centred way in which you navigated that piece of road. With competent drivers/riders involved it could be perfectly safe though.

Publicserpent said :

For those interested, I’m not upset or angry, but am getting tired of this sort of behavior on the roads. It seems that many people seem to feel that they can act in a manner behind the wheel that they would be embarrassed to in a restaurant or at their workplace.

Yes, I can see exactly why you would encounter this sort of thing on a regular basis. It seems that many people seem to feel that they can act in a manner behind the handlebars that they would be embarrassed to in a restaurant or at their workplace.

Just pause your video right on 14 seconds. You will note that there is room for at least one and a half more Commodores in that roundabout as well as the one that is there already.

At #29TheBusDriver sums it up in his first sentence. Even if the Xtrail driver wasn’t going to overtake you, she probably tooted you anyway to help you have a think about the fact that you are a danger to yourself.

It is a single lane road. The bike rider did the right thing. End of discussion.

IP

Publicserpent said :

There was no safe place to pass until the other side of the intersection.

That would be an absolutely correct statement due to the very obvious arrogant and self centred way in which you navigated that piece of road. With competent drivers/riders involved it could be perfectly safe though.

Publicserpent said :

For those interested, I’m not upset or angry, but am getting tired of this sort of behavior on the roads. It seems that many people seem to feel that they can act in a manner behind the wheel that they would be embarrassed to in a restaurant or at their workplace.

Yes, I can see exactly why you would encounter this sort of thing on a regular basis. It seems that many people seem to feel that they can act in a manner behind the handlebars that they would be embarrassed to in a restaurant or at their workplace.

Just pause your video right on 14 seconds. You will note that there is room for at least one and a half more Commodores in that roundabout as well as the one that is there already.

At #29TheBusDriver sums it up in his first sentence. Even if the Xtrail driver wasn’t going to overtake you, she probably tooted you anyway to help you have a think about the fact that you are a danger to yourself.

I went for a ride along the Federal Highway the other day since the shoulder is reasonably wide and smooth (except for where the ACT council chip-sealed it or left if covered in gravel after ruining the rest of the road surface with chip-seal). I had two cars honk me as they pass for no reason other than that they’re dickheads.

Before anyone suggests I just harden up, first consider that horns are a hell of a lot louder outside your car than in, and that it’s highly disconcerting when the blast comes unexpectedly from a car travelling at 110km/h+ a couple of metres beside you.

The bike rider in this clip has done the right thing by taking the lane entering the roundabout. Sticking to the left as suggested by busdriver is a much more dangerous position for riders to be in as drivers are encouraged to squeeze by on a diminishing amount of road, or worse still, turn left in front of the rider. A number of cyclists in London have been killed by lorries turning left.
There are many roundabouts in Canberra with bike lanes which end just before the roundabout, the best approach is to allow the rider to clear the roundabout before passing safely.

troll-sniffer3:49 pm 17 Aug 13

TheBusDriver said :

I think you were beeped at because you did something stupid and unexpected. As far as the driver was concerned, you were safely over on the left, where they could overtake you safely. Then with no warning you’re in the middle then the right side of the lane, probably right in front of them where there is a danger that they could run you over. They probably beeped their horn to let you know they were there. In other words, they beeped their horn for your safety.
I think if hyou stuck to the curb when there are vehicles right behind you, this would not be an issue, and you would be a lot safer. Your manouver is obviously not a problem when there are no vehicles behind you, but obviously dangerous when there are.
If you are not aware of the obvious danger you put yourself in, or why you were beeoed at, consider not riding on roads. Also, give uo the “I was in the right” attitude. That will be great when you end up under the front wheels of some car because you did something right but stupid.

The video shows absolutely that the cyclist was occupying the lane leading up to the roundabout. To even suggest that there was somehow an opportunity for even the most idiotic and incompetent driver to overtake the cyclist until well out the other side of the roundabout shows a breathtaking lack of commonsense and basic judgement. If your comments above are based on your ability to judge traffic, TheBusDriver, then I suggest you need to either re-qualify or hand in your licence to occupy a driver’s seat, car, bus or otherwise.

Publicserpent2:32 pm 17 Aug 13

There appears to be some confusion amongst some posters regarding the road rules governing overtaking in this territory. There are double solid white lines for 30m before and after the single lane intersection intersection. There was no safe place to pass until the other side of the intersection. Therefore there was no reason that the vehicle behind wasn’t keeping a safe distance during the intersection.

For those interested, I’m not upset or angry, but am getting tired of this sort of behavior on the roads. It seems that many people seem to feel that they can act in a manner behind the wheel that they would be embarrassed to in a restaurant or at their workplace. Perhaps the threat of their actions being broadcast will help some people keep their cool.

That is a small roundabout which would make it difficult for both the cyclist and the car to safely negotiate the roundabout side by side. Someone had to therefore give way and given the cyclist was ahead of the car travelling at approx. 30 to 40 km/h a competent, intelligent driver would have allowed the cyclist to go first and had no reason to honk.

TheBusDriver said :

I think you were beeped at because you did something stupid and unexpected. As far as the driver was concerned, you were safely over on the left, where they could overtake you safely. Then with no warning you’re in the middle then the right side of the lane, probably right in front of them where there is a danger that they could run you over. They probably beeped their horn to let you know they were there. In other words, they beeped their horn for your safety.
I think if hyou stuck to the curb when there are vehicles right behind you, this would not be an issue, and you would be a lot safer. Your manouver is obviously not a problem when there are no vehicles behind you, but obviously dangerous when there are.
If you are not aware of the obvious danger you put yourself in, or why you were beeoed at, consider not riding on roads. Also, give uo the “I was in the right” attitude. That will be great when you end up under the front wheels of some car because you did something right but stupid.

Wow. There you complaining about people trying to pass you on the inside lane of a double-lane roundabout, and then you’re criticising a cyclist for defensive riding to avoid being squeezed in a single lane roundabout. You’ll have to show me how you did that.

http://the-riotact.com/dual-lane-round-abouts-are-not-overtaking-lanes/112183

TheBusDriver10:20 am 17 Aug 13

I think you were beeped at because you did something stupid and unexpected. As far as the driver was concerned, you were safely over on the left, where they could overtake you safely. Then with no warning you’re in the middle then the right side of the lane, probably right in front of them where there is a danger that they could run you over. They probably beeped their horn to let you know they were there. In other words, they beeped their horn for your safety.
I think if hyou stuck to the curb when there are vehicles right behind you, this would not be an issue, and you would be a lot safer. Your manouver is obviously not a problem when there are no vehicles behind you, but obviously dangerous when there are.
If you are not aware of the obvious danger you put yourself in, or why you were beeoed at, consider not riding on roads. Also, give uo the “I was in the right” attitude. That will be great when you end up under the front wheels of some car because you did something right but stupid.

Perhaps she honked because she recognised and was trying to attract the attention of a lightpole or tree that she knows..

Drivers use their horn far too readily and I hope more of these posts encourage drivers to calm down, at least outwardly. This type of aggression is particularly dangerous when directed at more vulnerable road users.

I bet she wouldn’t have sounded her horn if she was doing her five yearly driving test or if there was a police car around.

Obviously beeping at someone is tantamount to attempted murder. A sentence of death should be passed, no middle ground here.

you need to read the previous post about use of round abouts – you took a straight line through the ROUNDabout – you didn’t follow the curve so essentially you travelled into the path of traffic behind you. sorry but you deserve the honk for being an idiot on the road. you want her to act responsibly and reasonably without extending her the same courtesy.

Is it possible she was honking at someone else or something else?

I like how she and the previous car apparently didn’t use their indicators when going around you.

IP

troll-sniffer10:08 pm 16 Aug 13

wildturkeycanoe said :

Okaaay, a lot of rage from being honked at here. A few issues maybe? People honk for various reasons, some have been mentioned here already. Yes, you were riding legally, no issue. Put yourself in the driver’s situation, if that isn’t too stressful for you.
I disagree with Aeek, cyclists are required to indicate but the poor driver behind didn’t know your intentions and thought you were turning right due to the fact you’d veered so far to the right in the roundabout. They continued on as they normally would expecting to see the cyclist veer off to the right. Then, when they had you turning back in front of them at the exit of the roundabout, what else could they do except hit the brakes and honk, wondering what the hell you are doing.
Here is the epitome of poorly designed traffic rules. Having a different set of rules for different types of vehicles is just crazy. Had you stuck to the left of the road as people like myself normally do, there wouldn’t have been an issue. All I can see here is another cyclist pushing their rights beyond what is acceptable to try and get compassion for their cause. Don’t be a moron and you won’t get run over.

The troll has little to do but antagonise in a juvenile fashion as usual. As a previous post said, your type of idiot wouldn’t last two minutes in Europe, lucky for you you live in a society that tolerates and often encourages your bogan attitudes.

I reckon it is because you almost got yourself killed, not really your fault but it almost happened. She was going to overtake you in the roundabout and was expecting you to follow the curb hence wrapping more to the left, but you cut a line right through and she braked very hard almost hitting you. Take care on roundabouts dude even if you are in the right.

She probably was of the misconception that cyclists must keep far to the left even in roundabouts to be overtaken at anytime. As DaveCDP says; it doesn’t matter if you were in the right when you and your bike are becoming a mangled mess, flying under her vehicle.

Also grow a pair regarding the honk, people in this city just can’t handle it – try visiting the States and even China, people honk each other there all the time without getting upset about it. So are you going to give her Rego to the Police because she honked you? What is the point, they will laugh at you. Sticks and stones.

elevendollars9:59 pm 16 Aug 13

feel for OP this happens to me all the time! I once had a lady beep at me for riding 1m out from parked cars on the side of the road, I caught up with her at lights and asked what her problem was, she blasted me for not having a registration and being part of a group of lawbreaking cyclists! don’t know what it is, some people (i.e. YDY 34C) are ignorant and impatient and don’t have the maturity on the road to manage other types of road users.

Depending on how far the car was behind you before you darted into the middle of the road without warning or apparently looking will determine whether the driver was wrong to beep you.

If they were close then I can understand why she would have sounded the horn as you would have pulled right in front of their car with no warning. If she was far enough behind and caught up after you had performed the move, then she is just another idiot. Add one to the list in each column.

Don’t worry it has nothing to do with being a cyclist, bloody cars and bus’s all fail to give way to anything else at that roundabout.

CraigT said :

Hang on – a cyclist, complaining about road sharing????

What a hoot.

Personally, I often honk at cyclists. They inconvenience me, clogging up the road with their childish hobby, they can put up with some noise.

Your choice mate – I can commute by bike (which doesn’t take your road-space, being entirely on bike paths) or I can commute in my clapped-out tiny-engined 70s car (very much in your road-space but travelling 10 km/h slower than you want to). As a bonus, you can toot at me when I’m doing the second one, and I’ll drop down a gear specially for ya! 🙂

wildturkeycanoe7:09 pm 16 Aug 13

Okaaay, a lot of rage from being honked at here. A few issues maybe? People honk for various reasons, some have been mentioned here already. Yes, you were riding legally, no issue. Put yourself in the driver’s situation, if that isn’t too stressful for you.
I disagree with Aeek, cyclists are required to indicate but the poor driver behind didn’t know your intentions and thought you were turning right due to the fact you’d veered so far to the right in the roundabout. They continued on as they normally would expecting to see the cyclist veer off to the right. Then, when they had you turning back in front of them at the exit of the roundabout, what else could they do except hit the brakes and honk, wondering what the hell you are doing.
Here is the epitome of poorly designed traffic rules. Having a different set of rules for different types of vehicles is just crazy. Had you stuck to the left of the road as people like myself normally do, there wouldn’t have been an issue. All I can see here is another cyclist pushing their rights beyond what is acceptable to try and get compassion for their cause. Don’t be a moron and you won’t get run over.

Step 1: E-mail or Call Grant of Wanniassa and asked him who bought his car.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:xLrtRzek9CUJ:www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-XTrail-2006/SSE-AD-2181219/%3FCr%3D3+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au

Step 2: ???

Step 3: Report Back

—–

Alternatively , do nothing.

Pork Hunt said :

c_c™ said :

Given that she feels that to navigate urban streets with her 2.4 kids and skinny soy latte requires an off road vehicle, I wouldn’t read anything more into her action than she’s an arrogant road hog.

Unfortunately there’s still a perception of road being the exclusive domain of cars. Driver wouldn’t last two minutes in Europe.

A Nissan N Trail is hardly an off road vehicle.

ha, well that’s a point. It’s amusing a lot of promo shots for the X-Trail don’t even show it going off road, but traversing rugged mountains on a sealed road. Lot of folks just see a 4×4 and think a certain way.

justin heywood said :

She may have honked because you failed to indicate on exiting the roundabout (what? you didn’t raise your left arm?)
She may have honked as a courtesy to let you know she was overtaking
She may have honked because she is entitled, impatient and rude

As we will probably never know, lets assume she was honking to let you know she nearby. In many other countries that’s the norm when a car is approaching a cyclist. Its similar to the requirement that a cyclist rings their bell when approaching pedestrians. It’s not to tell to tell them “get out of my way” but “careful, I’m coming up behind you”.

c_c™ said :

Given that she feels that to navigate urban streets with her 2.4 kids and skinny soy latte requires an off road vehicle, I wouldn’t read anything more into her action than she’s an arrogant road hog.

Unfortunately there’s still a perception of road being the exclusive domain of cars. Driver wouldn’t last two minutes in Europe.

A Nissan N Trail is hardly an off road vehicle.

Given that she feels that to navigate urban streets with her 2.4 kids and skinny soy latte requires an off road vehicle, I wouldn’t read anything more into her action than she’s an arrogant road hog.

Unfortunately there’s still a perception of road being the exclusive domain of cars. Driver wouldn’t last two minutes in Europe.

Hang on – a cyclist, complaining about road sharing????

What a hoot.

Personally, I often honk at cyclists. They inconvenience me, clogging up the road with their childish hobby, they can put up with some noise.

circusmonkey said :

As we learned earlier this week, a roundabout is the same as an overtaking lane.
Because you straight-lined the roundabout, you prevented the driver from getting past you at that point – thus adding 5 seconds to their journey.

That would be my guess too. I’d be surprised it if really cost her as much as 5 seconds though – more like 0.5 seconds.

Holden Caulfield4:37 pm 16 Aug 13

Storm meet teacup.

justin heywood said :

She may have honked because you failed to indicate on exiting the roundabout (what? you didn’t raise your left arm?)

Not required for cyclists because “the driver’s vehicle is not fitted with direction indicator
lights”. Its in the Road Rules under Part 9 Roundabouts.

Bring on the usual bike vs car argument. I ride my bike sometimes and drive my car the rest of the time. I see the benefits of each option, but when i ride my bike i prefer to use as many of the paths as possible to stay off the road. Both cars and bikes have the right to be on the road but if they ever come together it doesn’t matter who was in the right or who is the better road user the bike will always have the higher risk of injury. Why risk your life to prove your point?

Never argue with a middle aged brunette, they’re always right…

She honked because, being a suburban 4WD owner she was in an awful rush to pick up some milk. How dare you!

circusmonkey4:04 pm 16 Aug 13

As we learned earlier this week, a roundabout is the same as an overtaking lane.
Because you straight-lined the roundabout, you prevented the driver from getting past you at that point – thus adding 5 seconds to their journey.

She was confused by your going through the roundabout faster than she was and thus not holding her up at all ?

justin heywood3:55 pm 16 Aug 13

She may have honked because you failed to indicate on exiting the roundabout (what? you didn’t raise your left arm?)
She may have honked as a courtesy to let you know she was overtaking
She may have honked because she is entitled, impatient and rude

OK children repeat after me: out of my way I’m a motorist.

The only reasonable course of action is, obviously, to track her down and kill her.

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