2 October 2013

Science on why cyclist haters are basically nazis

2 October 2013 | johnboy

With all the dicussion of cyclists in Canberra it’s worth noting the ABC’s Catalyst program from last week which assigned the mindless rage of flabbies in death boxes (aka cars) on “out-group homogeneity bias”, something the Nazis were rather keen on (just to get Godwin out of the way).

Anyway Nazis may think they’re cool in their Hugo Boss suits hooning around in their tanks.

But it didn’t end well for them did it?

[Photo by News Oresund CC BY 2.0]

Join the conversation

All Comments

All Comments
Website Comments
Facebook Comments

LatestOldest

PBO1:55 pm 08 Oct 13

Aeek said :

farnarkler said :

Ellenborough St in North Lyneham and Kaleen is a prime example.

Its a prime a example of a path that doesn’t connect to the road where a cyclist may wish to switch.
For a cyclist heading west on Barton Highway, who exits to go to Kalleen, the path connects but its going in the WRONG direction!

Maybe you should petition the ACT guvmint to put out tenders to bring a Final Solution to this issue?

In fact…..

I herewith commission you to carry out all preparations with regard to a total solution of the Cyclist question in those territories of Canberra which are under Vehicular influence, I furthermore charge you to submit to me as soon as possible a draft showing the measures already taken for the execution of the intended Final Solution of the Cyclist question.

Aeek12:55 pm 08 Oct 13

farnarkler said :

Ellenborough St in North Lyneham and Kaleen is a prime example.

Its a prime a example of a path that doesn’t connect to the road where a cyclist may wish to switch.
For a cyclist heading west on Barton Highway, who exits to go to Kalleen, the path connects but its going in the WRONG direction!

Postalgeek8:27 am 08 Oct 13

farnarkler said :

I’d like to know why the lycra clad insist on riding on the road when there is a perfectly good bike path no more than 5 metres from the road. Ellenborough St in North Lyneham and Kaleen is a prime example. F*ckwits cycling on the road when a very nice bike path is only metres away.

Because it’s been stated over and over and

farnarkler said :

I’d like to know why the lycra clad insist on riding on the road when there is a perfectly good bike path no more than 5 metres from the road. Ellenborough St in North Lyneham and Kaleen is a prime example. F*ckwits cycling on the road when a very nice bike path is only metres away.

Calling them fckwits while expressing ignorance as to why they do it doesn’t reflect well on you.

The reasons have been repeated a number of times on this site but I’ll repeat them again for you:

1 – Right of way. Cyclists must give way at every single road if on a cycle path. This is not the case when riding on a trunk road.
2 – Directness. Paths may run parallel to a road for a while, but might then diverge. The cyclist might also be planning to turn a right further along. Also relates partly to #1. As a driver you don’t take the slower route through a suburb if you have a more direct trunk road, and you’re not exerting yourself. So don’t expect all cyclists to do something you’re not even prepared to do while sitting down.
3 – They’re legally allowed to.
4 – Quality. Some paths suffer significant degradation or present an unsuitable and uncomfortable riding surface for some bikes such as road bicycles running 110+ psi 700 tyres.

I try to use cycle paths whenever it’s practical because under-trained and inattentive people are allowed to operate heavy vehicles in public spaces and kill and maim a lot of other people each year.
Personally I think your focus is misdirected.

milkman6:48 am 08 Oct 13

Jono said :

milkman said :

Perhaps you could read my response again.

My problem is when I go to turn a corner on a green light, with no pedestrains about, only to have a cyclist using the footpath veer quickly onto the road to ‘use’ the green pedestrain light.

I’d previously posted that I was also unimpressed as to how some cyclists would ride quickly along a bike path then shoot out across the road without giving way (e.g. on Condamine St), or even ride quickly out onto a pedestrian crossing (e.g. corner Barry Drv and McCaughey St). It’s dangerous and it’s inevitably the car driver to has to slam on the brakes so the cyclist (who disobeyed the law) doesn’t get hit.

The original scenario was absolutely clear – .. “If there’s a red light and the motorist has been required to stop”..

But OK, since you’re responding to a completely different scenario, in what circumstances, can a cyclist be riding across a marked foot crossing, facing a green pedestrian walk signal, cause a car (apparently also facing a green signal) to slam on the brakes?

An intersection where this happens would be nice.

There are several intersections in the city, such as on Constitution Ave and Allara St, which is where I’ve had it happen to me. Pedestrian presses the button to get a green walk signal, changes their mind, lights are green for both motorist (travelling straight ahead) and pedestrian (walking same direction). Normal scenario any vehicle turning left gives way to pedestrian traffic. Go to turn left, no pedestrians, cyclist cycling along Allara St footpath swings out across pedestrian area.

Then it’s either brakes on hard or squashed cyclist.

Look, I believe cyclists have as much right to use the road as cars do, but some of them need to be a lot more careful and follow the road rules properly.

Jono7:56 pm 07 Oct 13

milkman said :

Perhaps you could read my response again.

My problem is when I go to turn a corner on a green light, with no pedestrains about, only to have a cyclist using the footpath veer quickly onto the road to ‘use’ the green pedestrain light.

I’d previously posted that I was also unimpressed as to how some cyclists would ride quickly along a bike path then shoot out across the road without giving way (e.g. on Condamine St), or even ride quickly out onto a pedestrian crossing (e.g. corner Barry Drv and McCaughey St). It’s dangerous and it’s inevitably the car driver to has to slam on the brakes so the cyclist (who disobeyed the law) doesn’t get hit.

The original scenario was absolutely clear – .. “If there’s a red light and the motorist has been required to stop”..

But OK, since you’re responding to a completely different scenario, in what circumstances, can a cyclist be riding across a marked foot crossing, facing a green pedestrian walk signal, cause a car (apparently also facing a green signal) to slam on the brakes? An intersection where this happens would be nice.

farnarkler7:32 pm 07 Oct 13

I’d like to know why the lycra clad insist on riding on the road when there is a perfectly good bike path no more than 5 metres from the road. Ellenborough St in North Lyneham and Kaleen is a prime example. F*ckwits cycling on the road when a very nice bike path is only metres away.

milkman6:36 pm 07 Oct 13

Jono said :

milkman said :

Jono said :

milkman said :

Jono said :

Masquara said :

I think cyclists are allowed to cycle across signalised crossings in Canberra too aren’t they? If there’s a red light and the motorist has been required to stop, it’s safe for a cyclist to pedal across.

Unfortunately not. The road rules require cyclists to dismount when crossing at any marked foot crossing, except where there are bicycle crossing lights.

And this makes sense, especially in the context of how some cyclists shoot from bike paths onto crossings at certain locations and any car has to slam on the brakes.

The question that was asked was about cyclists riding across a “signalised” crossing when the pedestrian signal is green, and the vehicle lights are red. If you’re having to slam on the brakes in those circumstances, then do us all a favour and stop driving your car.

You mean like when I slow down to take a corner with a green traffic light, and there’s no pedestrians so you start to turn, and then a cyclist shoots out from the footpath at 25km/h onto the pedstrian area?

Maybe you are the one who needs to hand in whatever passes for a license in your very little world.

I’m sorry that’s it’s so confusing for you. When it was said that the “vehicle lights are red”, it means that, well, the vehicle lights are red. I’m not sure how to simplify it further for you. The scenario was absolutely clear, and if you have to slam on the brakes when a cyclist appears and you’re facing a red light, then the problem is entirely with you.

The question wasn’t about cyclists on pedestrian crossings, it was about cyclists riding across “signalised” lights when the pedestrians had a green walk signal.

Perhaps you could read my response again.

My problem is when I go to turn a corner on a green light, with no pedestrains about, only to have a cyclist using the footpath veer quickly onto the road to ‘use’ the green pedestrain light.

I’d previously posted that I was also unimpressed as to how some cyclists would ride quickly along a bike path then shoot out across the road without giving way (e.g. on Condamine St), or even ride quickly out onto a pedestrian crossing (e.g. corner Barry Drv and McCaughey St). It’s dangerous and it’s inevitably the car driver to has to slam on the brakes so the cyclist (who disobeyed the law) doesn’t get hit.

Jono5:55 pm 07 Oct 13

milkman said :

Jono said :

milkman said :

Jono said :

Masquara said :

I think cyclists are allowed to cycle across signalised crossings in Canberra too aren’t they? If there’s a red light and the motorist has been required to stop, it’s safe for a cyclist to pedal across.

Unfortunately not. The road rules require cyclists to dismount when crossing at any marked foot crossing, except where there are bicycle crossing lights.

And this makes sense, especially in the context of how some cyclists shoot from bike paths onto crossings at certain locations and any car has to slam on the brakes.

The question that was asked was about cyclists riding across a “signalised” crossing when the pedestrian signal is green, and the vehicle lights are red. If you’re having to slam on the brakes in those circumstances, then do us all a favour and stop driving your car.

You mean like when I slow down to take a corner with a green traffic light, and there’s no pedestrians so you start to turn, and then a cyclist shoots out from the footpath at 25km/h onto the pedstrian area?

Maybe you are the one who needs to hand in whatever passes for a license in your very little world.

I’m sorry that’s it’s so confusing for you. When it was said that the “vehicle lights are red”, it means that, well, the vehicle lights are red. I’m not sure how to simplify it further for you. The scenario was absolutely clear, and if you have to slam on the brakes when a cyclist appears and you’re facing a red light, then the problem is entirely with you.

The question wasn’t about cyclists on pedestrian crossings, it was about cyclists riding across “signalised” lights when the pedestrians had a green walk signal.

milkman5:27 pm 07 Oct 13

Jono said :

milkman said :

Jono said :

Masquara said :

I think cyclists are allowed to cycle across signalised crossings in Canberra too aren’t they? If there’s a red light and the motorist has been required to stop, it’s safe for a cyclist to pedal across.

Unfortunately not. The road rules require cyclists to dismount when crossing at any marked foot crossing, except where there are bicycle crossing lights.

And this makes sense, especially in the context of how some cyclists shoot from bike paths onto crossings at certain locations and any car has to slam on the brakes.

The question that was asked was about cyclists riding across a “signalised” crossing when the pedestrian signal is green, and the vehicle lights are red. If you’re having to slam on the brakes in those circumstances, then do us all a favour and stop driving your car.

You mean like when I slow down to take a corner with a green traffic light, and there’s no pedestrians so you start to turn, and then a cyclist shoots out from the footpath at 25km/h onto the pedstrian area?

Maybe you are the one who needs to hand in whatever passes for a license in your very little world.

Aeek3:52 pm 07 Oct 13

milkman said :

Jono said :

Unfortunately not. The road rules require cyclists to dismount when crossing at any marked foot crossing, except where there are bicycle crossing lights.

And this makes sense, especially in the context of how some cyclists shoot from bike paths onto crossings at certain locations and any car has to slam on the brakes.

Equally a problem with runners intent on their PB, or rollerbladers, etc. The problem is anyone who enters too fast.

View more conversations

Featured Businesses

Mortgage Brokers

Clarity Home Loans

A passionate team of Canberrans helping other Canberrans secure their home loans. No frills, no commissions, no brainer.

Find out more

Professional Services

RSM

We share skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that's based on a deep understanding of your business.

Find out more

Electricians

True Connection Electrical

Since 2014, True Connection Electrical have been servicing residential and small commercial clients with reliable, trustworthy and top-quality electrical work.

Find out more

Lawyers

MV Law

Through a spirit of entrepreneurialism, collaboration, and future-forward thinking, MV Law have earned an industry-leading reputation.

Find out more

Lawyers

BDN Lawyers

BDN has provided legal services to to Canberra, Queanbeyan and the region for over 160 years.

Find out more

Lawyers

Kamy Saeedi Law

When you need a criminal or commercial lawyer, you don’t want to take any chances. You want someone in your corner that you can trust like your life depends on it - because it does.

Find out more