27 June 2011

Suicidal cyclists

| LSWCHP
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Last week around 6pm I turned left off Clunies Ross St onto Barry Drive. It was dark and damp, with poor visibility and as I turned I almost creamed a cyclist who was pumping his way up the hill while occupying a large part of the left hand lane. He was wearing dark clothing with no reflective gear, and his only illumination was a ridiculous little light that appeared to be dimmer than a cigarette butt. He was almost invisible until he was right inside the arc of my lights. Luckily there was nobody in the lane to my right, so I was able to swerve around him, but it was bloody close. At the time I wondered why he wasn’t travelling on the nearby bike path.

The next night I saw two cyclists entering the Anzac Parade roundabout on Parkes Way at about the same time in heavy traffic. They were also clad in dark clothes with no reflective gear and with ineffective lights on their bikes. One of them was almost hit by a a motorist on the roundabout. I was sure I was going to witness a fatality, but luckily the driver was alert and managed to brake and swerve to avoid the cyclist at the last minute.

After those two frightening experiences in quick succession, I would like to urge ACT cyclists who wish to commit suicide to do so using more conventional and less messy techniques such as a noose, or pills and whiskey. This will be less painful for you, and far less traumatic for those who have to witness the results of your actions and clean up your remains.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to commit suicide by bike on these dark winter nights, then please consider wearing lots of reflective clothing, have powerful and effective front and rear lights and reflectors, keep well to the left on busy roads, and consider riding on bike paths when they are available.

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These blokes need loud pipes. They’ll be noticeable then!

Road using cyclists should be made to get a cyclists license, and be fined for stupidity.

Theory only like the car ‘Learners’ license would suffice.

cranky said :

Whilst many cyclists do seem to prefer to not stand out, can the bicycling defence guy in his camouflage gear at Duntroon understand that this clothing really #$@^%& WORKS!

Meandering across Morshead Drive in the late afternoon (shadows), made you almost impossible to see.

And who would be the bad guy if you were smacked?

Yah, I wonder about my bretheren sometimes. People call me a wanker because I wear bright coloured lycra (among other reasons 🙂 ) & I am a Tour de France wannabe but I stand out & that is the plan. Same with lights, you can never have too many or they be too bright (except for pedestrians…..).

Whilst many cyclists do seem to prefer to not stand out, can the bicycling defence guy in his camouflage gear at Duntroon understand that this clothing really #$@^%& WORKS!

Meandering across Morshead Drive in the late afternoon (shadows), made you almost impossible to see.

And who would be the bad guy if you were smacked?

JTACT said :

If the pedal pusher was displaying a registration number/ id then he and his/ her fellow pedal pushers could be reported and made aware of the fault and get it fixed and possibly save a life.

Think of that one all by yourself did you?

If the pedal pusher was displaying a registration number/ id then he and his/ her fellow pedal pushers could be reported and made aware of the fault and get it fixed and possibly save a life.

Cyclists don’t hold up traffic – they are traffic. Just like bulldozers and busses and other things that might not get from 0-80 kmph in 20 metres

TC said :

I have given up on bike riders and so have fitted my vehicle with a motor vehicle video digital camera that fits to the windscreen with a suction cap. It feeds to a USB and runs while the ignition is on. Hopefully it will show my actions in any accident including those with bike riders. Wonderful colour and audio. It also has time/date and location and it is fitted with a GPS. Ahhhhhh piece of mind.

How many have you hit to have to do this?

I have given up on bike riders and so have fitted my vehicle with a motor vehicle video digital camera that fits to the windscreen with a suction cap. It feeds to a USB and runs while the ignition is on. Hopefully it will show my actions in any accident including those with bike riders. Wonderful colour and audio. It also has time/date and location and it is fitted with a GPS. Ahhhhhh piece of mind.

some very valid comments and observations. Having “rights” doesn’t mean you will live any longer if hit by a fast moving piece of steel. Also, one of the rights is not to impede the flow of traffic thus if a cyclist is legally occupying their lane impedes traffic flow they are committing an offence. But under the previous CM’s rule cyclists are Koala’s (i.e. protected species) in the eyes of the law.

Black bags and bad statistics may change government attitudes, but I doubt it.

Gungahlin Al said :

Saved my head multiple times while learning snowboarding including when the board hit me in the back of the head during a major faceplant (yes feet were still attached – think about it!).

Ah, the scorpion faceplant, the most spectacular of faceplants, well done!

My snowboarding helmet also saved me from serious head injuries many times while learning. I smacked my head hard catching a back edge on my first day without a helmet, and that was enough to convince me to buy a helmet as soon as I got to the bottom of the run, now I’d never board without one. I also had a guy ski over my head once, took a nice chunk out of the helmet, I was pretty glad I was wearing it that day as well.

On the pushy I make sure I am visible at all times, good bright lights on the front (ay ups) and a couple of lights on the rear (helmet and seatpost). I also wear lights (front and rear) if I’m running in low light conditions because I know how difficult it is to see pedestrians in the dark. Lights aren’t expensive these days, so there’s no real excuse for not having them.

Gungahlin Al9:42 am 30 Jun 11

scorpio63 said :

+100% Luther_ Bendross, my sentiments exactly, particularly after coming off a newer bike, flying along in top gear several years ago, flew through the air landing on bitumen, broke my jaw, blacked out for two days afterwards and required many stitches. The Helmut saved my head. Similarly riding trail bikes, it can be the difference between life and death.

Yep. Helmet for everything. Saved my noggin rock climbing when taking a zinger off a high face, smacking head first into the wall, and while being bombarded from above by some moron. Saved me again in a serious motorbike accident when run down by a car. Saved my head multiple times while learning snowboarding including when the board hit me in the back of the head during a major faceplant (yes feet were still attached – think about it!).

Haven’t had a nasty on a cycle since before helmets came in (when I was knocked out), but have had enough close calls from crazy drivers to know that I’ll be glad I have a lid on when it does happen.

The thing to remember is that your head has about the consistency of a watermelon. So if you seriously think you could drop a melon on the deck from 2m up without it cracking open then go for it.

puggy said :

KB1971 said :

Yup, my frosty boy is bright red…………

You too huh? Lucky you’re down south and I’m up north! It’s technically “Burnt Orange” but I’ll agree it’s a damn bright red. I can’t bring myself to get the lime stuff though. I in no way need gear of such quality, but I got really keen.

Yup, they are the shit. I also have a pair of their gloves but they are too hot over 0 degrees………….

+100% Luther_ Bendross, my sentiments exactly, particularly after coming off a newer bike, flying along in top gear several years ago, flew through the air landing on bitumen, broke my jaw, blacked out for two days afterwards and required many stitches. The Helmut saved my head. Similarly riding trail bikes, it can be the difference between life and death.

Gungahlin Al said :

I have enough layers on already, so I’ll settle for having decent lights thanks. Unless you are coming with me to buy some big reflective stripes for your black car too?

I’ve got a white car with reflective stripes – never know when a tail light will go, and the built-in reflectors are pretty crap. So off you go then.

puggy said :

I can’t bring myself to get the lime stuff though.

My froggy boy is lime – it’s awesome! I can’t wear it unless it’s below zero – too damn hot!

KB1971 said :

Yup, my frosty boy is bright red…………

You too huh? Lucky you’re down south and I’m up north! It’s technically “Burnt Orange” but I’ll agree it’s a damn bright red. I can’t bring myself to get the lime stuff though. I in no way need gear of such quality, but I got really keen.

dtc said :

McDoctor said :

i often wondered what the ACT govt were thinking when they built a bike path that only goes halfway up the hill on barry drive!

There are any number of bizarre bike path on road decisions – London Circuit, for example, has 3 areas where the bike path just ends, not near an intersection or anything. One part ends just as the road narrows and there is no ramp up to the footpath; so cars suddenly discover that you are sharing the same road as them and there is no where for either of you to go.

I think there was some sort of legislation/rule change in ACT that said all new road works were to include on-road bike lanes? That means any time they do roadworks, to upgrade an intersection for example, they have to add a bike lane. However, it means that as soon as the ‘roadworked’ section ends and the ‘old’ road restarts, the bike lane usually ends! There’s examples of this all over Canberra. At least they usually put up a ‘bicycle lane ends’ sign in these places! 🙂
I suppose the theory is that one day, when all the sections of each road is redone, all the little bits of bike lane will join!

McDoctor said :

i often wondered what the ACT govt were thinking when they built a bike path that only goes halfway up the hill on barry drive!

There are any number of bizarre bike path on road decisions – London Circuit, for example, has 3 areas where the bike path just ends, not near an intersection or anything. One part ends just as the road narrows and there is no ramp up to the footpath; so cars suddenly discover that you are sharing the same road as them and there is no where for either of you to go.

Gungahlin Al3:41 pm 29 Jun 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Gungahlin Al said :

I agree about the problem people have with the colour of a cyclist’s clothing – assuming they have lights on. Is anyone here calling for an end to black cars? Or and end to black motorcyclist jackets?

Well, I’m sure a study could be found to tell us that black is a less safe colour for cars than white or yellow, for instance.

However, cars have to pass rego checks (sometimes, haha) to ensure they have headlights in working order. Similarly, AFAIK, motorcycles are required by law to have their low beam headlight on at all times, y’know, to improve visibility and all.

(Not having a go at you Al per se, just the notion.)

Understand about the black wardrobe thing, so get on down to Seears Workwear or the like and pick up a high-vis vest or whatever for the cost of a couple of movie tickets. Could probably get some nifty things for your legs as previously suggested as well.

I have enough layers on already, so I’ll settle for having decent lights thanks. Unless you are coming with me to buy some big reflective stripes for your black car too?

niftydog said :

cobberas63 said :

Ever tried to find bike clothing that’s not black? Go into a bike store or outdoor shop and have a look – black black and black…

In terms of lycra, yes I’d agree. Not much choice unless you are a TDF wannabe.
However, for regular people who want to wear loose fitting stuff, there’s PLENTY of colourful options.

cobberas63 said :

What we really need are light coloured clothes in solid colours.

Ask and ye shall receive! Ground Effect FTW!

Yup, my frosty boy is bright red…………

cobberas63 said :

Ever tried to find bike clothing that’s not black? Go into a bike store or outdoor shop and have a look – black black and black…

In terms of lycra, yes I’d agree. Not much choice unless you are a TDF wannabe.
However, for regular people who want to wear loose fitting stuff, there’s PLENTY of colourful options.

cobberas63 said :

What we really need are light coloured clothes in solid colours.

Ask and ye shall receive! Ground Effect FTW!

Holden Caulfield said :

Well, I’m sure a study could be found to tell us that black is a less safe colour for cars than white or yellow, for instance..

summary: http://www.bmj.com/content/328/7444/0.3.full
Full: http://www.bmj.com/content/328/7444/857.full

Its about the colour of motorcycle helmets, if its white or fluro you have a 24% – 37% (respectively) less chance of having an accident

Gungahlin Al said :

Felix the Cat said :

Black does not reflect light, doesn’t matter how good the lights are on the bike. For some reason black seems the colour of choice for a lot of these people.

Perhaps because black is the colour of choice for most people’s wardrobe in Canberra, and therefore a somewhat limiting factor in the selections available from shops?

I agree about the problem people have with the colour of a cyclist’s clothing – assuming they have lights on. Is anyone here calling for an end to black cars? Or and end to black motorcyclist jackets?

This is a chicken-&-egg thing. Ever tried to find bike clothing that’s not black? Go into a bike store or outdoor shop and have a look – black black and black, and perhaps the odd super-dark brown, blue or green. Drives me nuts. The only colourful bike clothes you’ll find are those fluoro jackets that (a) don’t preserve your body warmth and (b) keep your sweat trapped within them so you soon end up in a sauna.

Multi-coloured tops, as it turns out, are equally difficult for non-cyclists to see. What we really need are light coloured clothes in solid colours.

ConanOfCooma1:39 pm 29 Jun 11

Bad cyclists.
Bad drivers.
Bad kids.
Bad food.
Bad places.
Bad Justices.

Is anything in Canberra good? Even the drugs suck, these days…

being a part-time driver, i totally agree with drivers here on the issue of visibility. it’s so difficult to see cyclists, especially in winter. an investment of a few bucks can go a very long way, particularly if it saves your life!

being a part-time cyclist (and belconnen resident) myself, i often wondered what the ACT govt were thinking when they built a bike path that only goes halfway up the hill on barry drive! i figured, perhaps we’re supposed to ride halfway up then try to cross to continue our journey. perhaps it’s to encourage cyclists to use the parallel side street, which adjoins macarthur avenue and from there to encourage people to get back onto belconnen way using that route….

but unfortunately none of these are safe routes, because both require you to cross a very busy road where there is no mechanism to get traffic to stop for you.

so cyclists like myself who are trying to do the right thing and use bike infrastructure are faced with trying to cross barry drive by running and weaving in between traffic roaring in both directions. or, if one decides to take the parallel street and follow macarthur ave up to belconnen way at the top of the hill, you still have run and weave in traffic doing between 80-100 kms/hr as it comes around the big sweeping bend from civic.

it’s either that, or risk that one intersection with clunies ross dr before you get to the painted bike lane 50m up…

either way, i hope the ACT govt are not patting themselves on the back for a job well done, because i think they’ve endangered more lives since changing the road conditions on barry drive…

Holden Caulfield said :

BicycleCanberra said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Your theory on motorists driving closer to cyclists because they are wearing a helmet is about as sound as your apparent understanding of the obligations cyclists have if they want to ride on the road.

Its not a theory it has been proven in several studies, here and overseas!

Haha, you’ve sucked me in twice, I’m not falling for a loopy comment a third time.

A quick google check would’ve confirmed such a study did actually take place in the UK in 2006. On average, motor vehicle drivers drove closest to males wearing helmets.

Motorists gave person not wearing a helmet on average 8cm more room when passing, and gave women 14cm more room.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/vehicles-drive-closer-to-cyclists-wearing-helmets-415656.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article635439.ece

Holden Caulfield12:34 pm 29 Jun 11

Gungahlin Al said :

I agree about the problem people have with the colour of a cyclist’s clothing – assuming they have lights on. Is anyone here calling for an end to black cars? Or and end to black motorcyclist jackets?

Well, I’m sure a study could be found to tell us that black is a less safe colour for cars than white or yellow, for instance.

However, cars have to pass rego checks (sometimes, haha) to ensure they have headlights in working order. Similarly, AFAIK, motorcycles are required by law to have their low beam headlight on at all times, y’know, to improve visibility and all.

(Not having a go at you Al per se, just the notion.)

Understand about the black wardrobe thing, so get on down to Seears Workwear or the like and pick up a high-vis vest or whatever for the cost of a couple of movie tickets. Could probably get some nifty things for your legs as previously suggested as well.

Gungahlin Al12:11 pm 29 Jun 11

Felix the Cat said :

Black does not reflect light, doesn’t matter how good the lights are on the bike. For some reason black seems the colour of choice for a lot of these people.

Perhaps because black is the colour of choice for most people’s wardrobe in Canberra, and therefore a somewhat limiting factor in the selections available from shops?

I agree about the problem people have with the colour of a cyclist’s clothing – assuming they have lights on. Is anyone here calling for an end to black cars? Or and end to black motorcyclist jackets?

luther_bendross11:51 am 29 Jun 11

Felix the Cat said :

I’ve seen some people attach a blinky bike light to the dog collar which is really helpful (can be quite amusing too if the dog is off the lead, looks like a very drunk cyclist until you get closer and work out that it’s actually a dog!).

My dog has a $20 flashing light that I clip to its collar and holy crap it’s funny. It get about 20m into a sprint then realises “WTF?! There’s something on my neck chasing me!” then spends 30 sec trying to chase it. Same dog is also the best keeper/bat pad/long-on in cul-de-sac cricket.

Felix the Cat said :

Black does not reflect light, doesn’t matter how good the lights are on the bike./quote]

Or the headlights on a car for that matter.

Felix the Cat10:00 am 29 Jun 11

LSWCHP said :

Bugger me.

I was just out walking the dog in an unlit area a few minutes ago when I heard an odd noise in front of me, so I stopped, and tried to see what was ahead of me. With no warning a guy on a bike, totally clad in black with no lights zipped past me at speed. He was totally invisible in the dark. A few inches either way and he would have smashed me or my dog.

In response to my startled “CHRIST!!!! SOME F$CKING LIGHTS WOULD BE USEFUL MATE” I received a sarcastic “Yeah yeah….” in reply.

I almost chased the mongrel on foot, but he was rolling faster than I could run. If he’d actually hit me or my dog, and I was capable of moving afterwards, he would’ve found his bike pump inserted where bike pumps only go in porn movies, and his precious pushie would look like one of the abstract pieces at the gallery.

These people are bloody deranged. Have they no thought for themselves or other people in the community?

So what lights did you or your dog have and what colour was your clothing? I quite often ride at night or early morning on bike paths (with bright lights on front and at least two flashing rear red lights) and have close calls with pedestrians/dog walkers wearing dark coloured clothing that I don’t see until the a few seconds before near impact. Black does not reflect light, doesn’t matter how good the lights are on the bike.

For some reason black seems the colour of choice for a lot of these people. I’ve seen some people attach a blinky bike light to the dog collar which is really helpful (can be quite amusing too if the dog is off the lead, looks like a very drunk cyclist until you get closer and work out that it’s actually a dog!).

Just because there isn’t a law or regulation saying pedestrians/dogs require lights doesn’t mean people shouldn’t do it, at least for their own self-preservation, even if not for any cyclist that may happen to be riding close by. You can buy very cheap lights like this from places like the Reject Shop or other cheap Asian import junk type shop.

“These people are bloody deranged. Have they no thought for themselves or other people in the community?”

You mean – that idiot was. I and plenty others of responsible cyclists look like christmas trees. People can be duckheads whether they are on a bike, in a car or on a skateboard. Doesn’t make “all of them” deranged. He was an idiot.

la mente torbida8:37 am 29 Jun 11

@LSWCHP

You said: “These people are bloody deranged. Have they no thought for themselves or other people in the community?”

It’s not “these people” it’s “that person” …don’t generalise when your talking a specific.

Holden Caulfield said :

I mean, what is the path to do? It’s pretty much defenceless really; it sees you wearing a helmet and thinks to itself, awesome I can hit that bastard as hard as I damn well please, he’s wearing a helmet after all.

Dammit, you’re right. I’ll make sure that I behave less provocatively towards the bike paths from now on.

Holden Caulfield11:30 pm 28 Jun 11

Jono said :

And therein lies.the rub – it costs you virtually nothing to wear a helmet. If you end up under the wheels of a truck it’s not going to save you; but there are accidents where it will make a difference, and maybe a huge difference. Maybe the difference between walking away and having a brain injury; or needing plastic surgery.

You do realise there are studies that prove the path only made impact with you because you were wearing a helmet.

I mean, what is the path to do? It’s pretty much defenceless really; it sees you wearing a helmet and thinks to itself, awesome I can hit that bastard as hard as I damn well please, he’s wearing a helmet after all.

Bugger me.

I was just out walking the dog in an unlit area a few minutes ago when I heard an odd noise in front of me, so I stopped, and tried to see what was ahead of me. With no warning a guy on a bike, totally clad in black with no lights zipped past me at speed. He was totally invisible in the dark. A few inches either way and he would have smashed me or my dog.

In response to my startled “CHRIST!!!! SOME F$CKING LIGHTS WOULD BE USEFUL MATE” I received a sarcastic “Yeah yeah….” in reply.

I almost chased the mongrel on foot, but he was rolling faster than I could run. If he’d actually hit me or my dog, and I was capable of moving afterwards, he would’ve found his bike pump inserted where bike pumps only go in porn movies, and his precious pushie would look like one of the abstract pieces at the gallery.

These people are bloody deranged. Have they no thought for themselves or other people in the community?

FD10 said :

But seriously, if I had an accident which was serious enough to warrant taxpayer funded medical costs and/or continuing support, I don’t think me wearing a simple bicycle helmet would dramatically reduce those costs. They’d be high costs anyway.

Probably. The reality is you don’t know, neither do I.

I’ve done 30000+ kms in Canberra on my bike, I’m very conservative when riding, and extremely defensive. In that time I’ve had one moderately serious accident – in a moment of inattention at a fairly high speed on a shared path (and no, there were no pedestrians around to be mindful of – it’s an area with low pedestrians and good vision) I managed to lock up the front wheel and go over the handlebars. My only memory is going crashing forehead first into the bike path. After a minute or so lying on the ground feeling sorry for myself, I got up with one cracked rib and one smashed bike helmet. I hate to think of what condition I might have been in had I not had a helmet on, but there’s no doubt that it saved me from a serious injury.

And therein lies.the rub – it costs you virtually nothing to wear a helmet. If you end up under the wheels of a truck it’s not going to save you; but there are accidents where it will make a difference, and maybe a huge difference. Maybe the difference between walking away and having a brain injury; or needing plastic surgery.

PrinceOfAles7:04 pm 28 Jun 11

I always have my bicycle fog lights on high beam. Even on clear sunny days.

Postalgeek said :

And kangaroos. No reflectors, no lights. Nothing. Someone should shoot them for their own sake.

Hahaha! Nice one. 🙂

FD10 said :

But seriously, if I had an accident which was serious enough to warrant taxpayer funded medical costs and/or continuing support, I don’t think me wearing a simple bicycle helmet would dramatically reduce those costs. They’d be high costs anyway.

Probably. The reality is you don’t know, neither do I.

You’re right, neither of us knows. However, we expect certain things of society and society expects certain things of us, obeying the law being one of them. I’m not proposing that all lawbreakers be outlawed from society, as I don’t think I’d like to live in a society that did that. But people need to take reasonable steps ensure their own safety, and need to consider that the consequences of their actions may be more extensive than first thoughts might indicate.

luther_bendross10:15 am 28 Jun 11

Seems like there’s a few cyclists on here concerned that it’s the responsibility of the driver to dodge them; likewise there’s a few drivers who think it’s the responsibility of the cyclists to make themselves visible. As a keen user of both modes of transport, I don’t give a crap what laws apply to me when I’m on a bike, I’m more concerned with my own safety. I wear a helmet to be safe, not because it’s legal. I use lights and reflectors because it makes me visible & therefore increases my safety just a little. I don’t ride on the road in 80km/h zones because I want to live: that car next to you has a lot more momentum than your bike, and if I’m ever stuck in hospital with miscellaneous broken things, sure as shit my primary concern won’t be whose responsibility it was, I’ll be more concerned with being alive.

And kangaroos. No reflectors, no lights. Nothing. Someone should shoot them for their own sake.

Personally I’ve found mobile speed vans to be very poorly lit at night. More than once I’ve almost swerved into one, being totally incapable of driving between two lines ( an affliction it seems I share with a sizable percentage of riot respondents. God knows what they look for in driving tests).
Someone should do something about it, and make them far more visible at night.

Holden Caulfield9:29 am 28 Jun 11

BicycleCanberra said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Haha, you’ve sucked me in twice, I’m not falling for a loopy comment a third time.

Believe what you want to believe, just don’t run me down, or anyone else on a bike…

FFS.

Yeah, because that’s what I said: that I want to run down cyclists.

Oh, just for your own special benefit, that last comment was sarcasm.

alaninoz said :

FD10 said :

However, not wearing a helmet has adverse effects for me (and only me) so sometimes I’m willing to make that trade if it means my head won’t freeze into an head-shaped ice sculpture. But that’s a risk I’m willing to take, ignorance isn’t an excuse and if I get fined by the plod I’ll accept it.

It affects only you so long as you also accept that society should have no responsibility for your medical costs or continuing support if you have an accident while not wearing a helmet. Do what you like, just don’t expect me to pay for it.

No, actually I think I’ll go out and purposely have an accident just to spite you. But seriously, if I had an accident which was serious enough to warrant taxpayer funded medical costs and/or continuing support, I don’t think me wearing a simple bicycle helmet would dramatically reduce those costs. They’d be high costs anyway.

Probably. The reality is you don’t know, neither do I.

“…but luckily the driver was alert and managed to brake and swerve to avoid the cyclist at the last minute.”

Are you sure you don’t want to re think your conclusion here?

You’ve obviously seen the cyclists in time to become concerned that they might be involved in a collision with another approaching motorist. What excuse did the person driving the motor vehicle have for not seeing the cyclist at the same time as you did? Why is it fortunate that they had to take evasive and sudden action? Why did you label this driver as being “alert”, when they cliearly weren’t? What have you got against cyclists?

I saw far more suicidal and complacent motor vehicle drivers today than I saw cyclists… 80km/h in 40km/h road work zones… no headlights on at dusk… countless tailgating offences… several traffic light offences…

I would like to urge ACT motorists who wish to commit suicide to do so using more conventional and less messy techniques such as a noose, or pills and whiskey. This will be less painful for you, and far less traumatic for those who have to witness the results of your actions and clean up your remains.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to commit suicide by motor vehicle on these dark winter nights, then please consider ensuring your head and tail lights are in good working order, watch for people on bicycles and on foot, slow down, back off, and cool off. Remember that people on push bikes or on foot are legitimate road users, and that you’re just a typical, average, self-righteous motor vehicle driver who probably ranks their own driving skillz far higher than he or she should.

On the way home from Fyshwick to Belco this evening I counted 6 cyclists on the roads, including 3 on Barry Drive. One had very effective lighting and reflective gear, one was totally dressed in black with no lights, reflectors or anything, and the rest were somewhere in between.

Regardless of the ability or otherwise of motorists, I still don’t understand what if anything is going through the mind of someone riding on a busy arterial road at peak hour while wearing dark clothing and with no lights. It really is insane, in my view.

Gungahlin Al9:15 pm 27 Jun 11

BicycleCanberra said :

Its not a theory it has been proven in several studies, here and overseas!

A theory IS something that has been proven through repeated testing. Perhaps you are thinking of “hypothesis”?

On using a bell, I find that most people using paths commonly used by cyclists will on hearing my bell just edge closer to the left. Some don’t know what to do and go all over, but they are few, and if you ring it far enough back you have time to evade such behaviour, and even have a quick word about the correct way to behave when they hear a bell.

On “just slipping by” – rot – you have no idea whether they were about to turn and look, dodge a bump or whatever, and you can scare the willies out of them.

On having earphones in – don’t always assume people are listening to music that is drowning out everything around them. I listen to podcasts during my hour on a bike each day – at double speed so I get two hours science etc listening in. Only voices are a little hard to hear around me – almost everything else – and especially bells – come through no problem.

So in summary: helmet, lights, bell – get them and use them. No excuses or rationalisations – it’s the law, and it’s the right thing to do.

alaninoz said :

It affects only you so long as you also accept that society should have no responsibility for your medical costs or continuing support if you have an accident while not wearing a helmet. Do what you like, just don’t expect me to pay for it.

Regarding the increased safety, or otherwise, of wearing helmets:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/23/3251272.htm?site=sydney

That’s OK. Cyclists who are injured when not wearing helmets can still use *my* tax dollars. Just like people who don’t slip-slop-slap who eventually get skin cancer can still have subsidised Medicare treatment, whether or not mandatory sunscreen laws come in effect.

This is the study people are referring to.

http://drianwalker.com/overtaking/overtakingprobrief.pdf

Basically, if you wear a helmet, are male, or ride in the center of the lane, people are more likely to drive closer to you.

Rollersk8r said :

As a cyclist my personal favourite is uni students of Fenner Hall using the Northbourne Ave bike lanes at night. Often all black clothing, no lights, helmet dangling on the handlebars, riding about 20kmh slower than a properly equipped cyclist. Bonus points if they’re also lugging shopping bags – and choose to ignore the traffic lights.

Best one was when I experienced all of the above – coming at me the wrong way up Northbourne!

I saw similar except it was dusk, no helmet on the handlebars, no lights, or in fact any safety equipment of any kind, backpack slung over one shoulder, going against the flow of traffic and talking on a mobile. I wonder if he is still alive?

BicycleCanberra6:04 pm 27 Jun 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Haha, you’ve sucked me in twice, I’m not falling for a loopy comment a third time.

Believe what you want to believe, just don’t run me down, or anyone else on a bike. They are doing you a favour by taking a car off the road and as a taxpayer reducing the burden on the health system by being physical active or is that just another theory.

FD10 said :

However, not wearing a helmet has adverse effects for me (and only me) so sometimes I’m willing to make that trade if it means my head won’t freeze into an head-shaped ice sculpture. But that’s a risk I’m willing to take, ignorance isn’t an excuse and if I get fined by the plod I’ll accept it.

It affects only you so long as you also accept that society should have no responsibility for your medical costs or continuing support if you have an accident while not wearing a helmet. Do what you like, just don’t expect me to pay for it.

Regarding the increased safety, or otherwise, of wearing helmets:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/23/3251272.htm?site=sydney

To drag the conversation back to something useful, if anyone reading this needs lights and thinks they are too expensive, you can get lights that allow people to see you (although they arent good enough for you to see where you are going in the absence of street lights) for under $10 each for front and back – Kmart has them and so does the internet (under $3 for a rear light delivered from China) and plenty of other places stock cheap lights. Kathmandu has some slightly better quality lights – on sale at the moment – for a bit more.

Set them on flash and you will be seen (if the batteries are kept up to date) for under $20 total. Inexcusable not to have them.

For those people looking for a light they can see with and keep coming across the $400 sets and giving up – search out the Cygolite Expilion 250; you can find it for about $A120 (or less) fairly easily from Aust stores online. I use it and its fine for the inner north bike path from Civic to Dickson, which is pretty dark in places (I also have a second cheap flashing front light plus 2 flashing rear lights plus reflective tape all over my bike frame and on my back pack and helmet and an ocassionally working flashing LED tyre valve cap. Hopefully I am noticeable). There may be better/brighter/cheaper lights around but this is a good lightweight option (USB charging as well, so you can charge from your computer).

I’m one of those idiots who more often than not rides without a helmet. 27 years living in a country where millions of people ride without helmets daily will turn you into such an idiot, I’m afraid. It’s not as bad if you’re an idiot amongst millions of idiots though. It’s all relative…

I have passed police when riding without a helmet and all I got was a friendly g’day.

carnardly said :

Culture is often “blame the cyclist”.

Using a hypothetical example – car runs a stop sign and creams a cyclist who didn’t have a helmet on. Cyclist dies of internal or crush injuries on his chest. ”Oh but he wasn’t wearing a helmet”. Well, a helmet had nothing to do with the event or the outcome or the reason of his death – but its still the cyclist’s fault.

With scare-mongering such as this you should be a federal politician. If you really think that a cyclist dying because a car ran a stop sign will be at fault because they weren’t wearing a helmet, perhaps you need to get checked out because that is a laughable. The car running the stop sign will ALWAYS be at fault, because they ran a stop sign FFS! I’m sure even the incompetant ACT judiciary would come to the same conclusion (before delivering a piss-weak sentence, but that’s another thread!).

With regards to lights and helmets – I always put my lights on if riding in the dark, however if I’m riding at night in winter I’ll gladly swap my helmet for a super warm beanie (it doesn’t fit under my helmet unfortunetly). I figure that it is my responsibility to other road users to be seen, and not having lights means that they can’t see me. However, not wearing a helmet has adverse effects for me (and only me) so sometimes I’m willing to make that trade if it means my head won’t freeze into an head-shaped ice sculpture. But that’s a risk I’m willing to take, ignorance isn’t an excuse and if I get fined by the plod I’ll accept it.

Holden Caulfield5:21 pm 27 Jun 11

BicycleCanberra said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Your theory on motorists driving closer to cyclists because they are wearing a helmet is about as sound as your apparent understanding of the obligations cyclists have if they want to ride on the road.

Its not a theory it has been proven in several studies, here and overseas!

Haha, you’ve sucked me in twice, I’m not falling for a loopy comment a third time.

BicycleCanberra5:16 pm 27 Jun 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Your theory on motorists driving closer to cyclists because they are wearing a helmet is about as sound as your apparent understanding of the obligations cyclists have if they want to ride on the road.[/quote>

Its not a theory it has been proven here( Australia) and overseas (America) two of the lowest modal share use for cycling, and no wonder.

BicycleCanberra5:02 pm 27 Jun 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Your theory on motorists driving closer to cyclists because they are wearing a helmet is about as sound as your apparent understanding of the obligations cyclists have if they want to ride on the road.

Its not a theory it has been proven in several studies, here and overseas!

Holden Caulfield4:51 pm 27 Jun 11

BicycleCanberra said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Competency. I agree.

Perhaps you should spend a minute using some appropriate terms in google and seeing how long it takes you to find the words, “Bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet in the ACT.”

How does it affect a vehicle driver if a cyclist doesn’t wear a helmet? maybe vehicle drivers wouldn’t drive so close or that other excuse he/she has got a helmet on, they be OK if I just clip them.

It doesn’t.

You’re missing the point. It’s not a choice.

Your theory on motorists driving closer to cyclists because they are wearing a helmet is about as sound as your apparent understanding of the obligations cyclists have if they want to ride on the road.

Culture is often “blame the cyclist”.

Using a hypothetical example – car runs a stop sign and creams a cyclist who didn’t have a helmet on. Cyclist dies of internal or crush injuries on his chest. ”Oh but he wasn’t wearing a helmet”. Well, a helmet had nothing to do with the event or the outcome or the reason of his death – but its still the cyclist’s fault.

For 20 years Australians have been told that riding a bicycle without a helmet is inherently dangerous and most Australians have bought in to that. Never mind the objective statistics that show that riding a bicycle’s about the same risk level as walking, Australians believe it’s much more dangerous than walking because that’s how cycling’s been marketed.

Queen_of_the_Bun4:21 pm 27 Jun 11

puggy said :

zippyzippy said :

niftydog said :

If everyone acted rationally and consistently when they heard a bike bell, then I’d be more than happy to use mine all the time…

That is absolutely my experience as well…

I’ll third that. There are also some that interpret the bell as “get out of my way” and get a bit narky. I only ring the bell if I’m confident the person knows what it means. They’re usually runners or regular walkers who keep well left anyway.

On topic, I don’t know why they spent all that money on that bike path on Barry Drive and not bother properly connecting the Belconnen-bound bit.

Not so sure about that. I’ll have to ask my cyclist friend who tried to overtake a slower cyclist in Barry Drive just as the other rider swerved around a pot hole and sent my friend into the side of a truck. He was very lucky to bounce off towards the footpath and not under the truck. Still had a long time off work but he can still walk and talk.

Strangely enough, he has since bought a motorbike.

BicycleCanberra4:02 pm 27 Jun 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Competency. I agree.

Perhaps you should spend a minute using some appropriate terms in google and seeing how long it takes you to find the words, “Bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet in the ACT.”

How does it affect a vehicle driver if a cyclist doesn’t wear a helmet? maybe vehicle drivers wouldn’t drive so close or that other excuse he/she has got a helmet on, they be OK if I just clip them.

Holden Caulfield3:51 pm 27 Jun 11

BicycleCanberra said :

Nothing wrong with not wearing helmets and it doesn’t give people riding bikes a bad name. A helmet will not save your life in a collision with a car and were not designed to. Unless were forced to wear motorcycle helmets, rather than building safer infrastructure. Safe cycling is about competency on a bike and that goes for driving a car as well.
If there was more people riding bikes then it would be much safer.www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJ-d86pKsw

Competency. I agree.

Perhaps you should spend a minute using some appropriate terms in google and seeing how long it takes you to find the words, “Bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet in the ACT.”

zippyzippy said :

niftydog said :

If everyone acted rationally and consistently when they heard a bike bell, then I’d be more than happy to use mine all the time…

That is absolutely my experience as well…

I’ll third that. There are also some that interpret the bell as “get out of my way” and get a bit narky. I only ring the bell if I’m confident the person knows what it means. They’re usually runners or regular walkers who keep well left anyway.

On topic, I don’t know why they spent all that money on that bike path on Barry Drive and not bother properly connecting the Belconnen-bound bit.

Aren’t you expecting a bit much, cyclists to be seen AND obey road rules.

Classified said :

Suicycle?

+1

la mente torbida said :

Nothing like a Riot-Act headline containing ‘cyclist’ to bring out the ‘frustrated motorist’ and the ‘holier than thou’ cyclist.

+eleventy1. Better bait than corn for carp.

Also, something few people know, is that you are required to have a bell on your bike.

That is actually incorrect. ACT Traffic Rules say you are required to have a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in working order.

That means you I could use one of those little mexican hat dance horns if I wanted. Not necessarily a bell. It may include a bell, but it doesn’t HAVE to.

niftydog said :

If everyone acted rationally and consistently when they heard a bike bell, then I’d be more than happy to use mine all the time. However all small children, dogs and a good percentage of adults behave extremely unpredictably upon hearing a bike bell (or NOT hearing in the case of iPod users). This frequently turns a simple, well-meaning ‘ding’ into a complete cluster-f#@k.

That is absolutely my experience as well. Don’t ring the bell and you can slip by smoothly. Ring the bell and people start jumping in front of you! Also, I’ve rung the bell many-a-time only for the zoned out ipod wearer just to keep on wandering across in front of me.

If everyone acted rationally and consistently when they heard a bike bell, then I’d be more than happy to use mine all the time. However all small children, dogs and a good percentage of adults behave extremely unpredictably upon hearing a bike bell (or NOT hearing in the case of iPod users). This frequently turns a simple, well-meaning ‘ding’ into a complete cluster-f#@k.

BicycleCanberra2:51 pm 27 Jun 11

I think if we had laws like in Holland of Strict liability, (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Bq1vxCUvo&feature=channel_video_title) meaning that the ‘Car driver is always at fault’ then I’m sure many vehicle drivers would take more care with cyclists on the road. Yet if we had better infrastructure then maybe we wouldn’t have these problems.

Holden Caulfield said :

Cyclists with no lights, and often no helmets, are seen daily/nightly in the inner north. I assume elsewhere as well.

Nothing wrong with not wearing helmets and it doesn’t give people riding bikes a bad name. A helmet will not save your life in a collision with a car and were not designed to. Unless were forced to wear motorcycle helmets, rather than building safer infrastructure. Safe cycling is about competency on a bike and that goes for driving a car as well.
If there was more people riding bikes then it would be much safer.www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJ-d86pKsw

borizuka said :

I am a cyclists, and I use lights and all. Sometimes I also wonder what people are thinking.

Since we use the road, there should be road rules put in place for having proper functioning lights with fines in place when riding at night without them.

Same as you can be fined for not wearing a helmet.

There are those laws already.

Also, something few people know, is that you are required to have a bell on your bike.

la mente torbida2:23 pm 27 Jun 11

Nothing like a Riot-Act headline containing ‘cyclist’ to bring out the ‘frustrated motorist’ and the ‘holier than thou’ cyclist.

cobberas63 said :

Nothing wrong with using your on-board “bell” and calling out “on your right” before you pass another cyclist … or pedestrian.

The problem is with inexperienced riders or pedestrians, is they tend to ‘jump’ to the side when they hear you, and most of the time, thats the right hand side. While i will ring my bell for an ‘experienced cyclist’, i definitely wont ring for a pedestrians if i can get around

@OP yeah i sympathize with you. I nearly took out an ANU college girl (on a vintage style bike) who was riding around at 8pm without any lights. Scared the crap out of me when she came into view.

Gungahlin Al said :

While on the subject of morons, what is with cyclists who flash past other cyclists without the decency of giving the bell a ding? One wobble and pothole dodge and we both go down in a big way. The bell is for general use – not just for pedestrians.

+1

Seems to be particularly the case with roadies. OK so a bell is going to add maybe 50g to your overall weight and – say- 1% drag to your aerodynamics. Nothing wrong with using your on-board “bell” and calling out “on your right” before you pass another cyclist … or pedestrian.

Gungahlin Al said :

While on the subject of morons, what is with cyclists who flash past other cyclists without the decency of giving the bell a ding? One wobble and pothole dodge and we both go down in a big way. The bell is for general use – not just for pedestrians.

Bell? What bell? Doesn’t look good when you think you are Alberto Contador.

I am a cyclists, and I use lights and all. Sometimes I also wonder what people are thinking.

Since we use the road, there should be road rules put in place for having proper functioning lights with fines in place when riding at night without them.

Same as you can be fined for not wearing a helmet.

As a cyclist my personal favourite is uni students of Fenner Hall using the Northbourne Ave bike lanes at night. Often all black clothing, no lights, helmet dangling on the handlebars, riding about 20kmh slower than a properly equipped cyclist. Bonus points if they’re also lugging shopping bags – and choose to ignore the traffic lights.

Best one was when I experienced all of the above – coming at me the wrong way up Northbourne!

Gungahlin Al1:05 pm 27 Jun 11

I regularly ride past cyclists who give the rest of us a bad name. Sometimes I will mention that a rear light is near invisible – sometimes ignored, sometimes real dawning.

But for morons with no lights, helmet or anything else – they are clearly putting their fate in the hands of Darwin’s law of evolution – so be it if such types are culled out from the herd.

While on the subject of morons, what is with cyclists who flash past other cyclists without the decency of giving the bell a ding? One wobble and pothole dodge and we both go down in a big way. The bell is for general use – not just for pedestrians.

“At the time I wondered why he wasn’t travelling on the nearby bike path.”

The nearby bike path on the other side of the road only goes halfway up the hill, where it turns into an onroad bike path for cyclists coming down the hill.

To go up Barry drive on that path you have to exit illegally at the Dryandra street turnoff (or exit early and ride up a very dark Nicholson street) before using the underpass to come back onto Barry drive behind CSIRO. Bit of a pain, but a lot safer than that Clunies Ross/Barry Drive corner.

“Keeping well to the left” is also suicidal – it encourages motorists to share lanes with cyclists instead of changing lanes to pass. Worse still on roundabouts.

Suicycle?

Holden Caulfield11:12 am 27 Jun 11

Grail said :

Of course, this assumes that the cyclist is aware of their invisibility. The paper suggests that many people do not realise how hard it is to see them in the first place…

To be fair, that’s probably inline with the large number of numpty motorists unable to decide when it is appropriate to use lights, especially at dusk and in foggy conditions.

Holden Caulfield said :

Cyclists with no lights, and often no helmets, are seen daily/nightly in the inner north.

I saw police pull one over in O’Connor a couple of days ago. Black clothes. Black hood. No lights. Madness.

Holden Caulfield10:52 am 27 Jun 11

At least he had a piss-weak light.

Cyclists with no lights, and often no helmets, are seen daily/nightly in the inner north. I assume elsewhere as well.

I’m happy to share the road and try to do the right thing for cyclists, but riding at night with day-glo black clothing no lights is just taking the piss.

his only illumination was a ridiculous little light that appeared to be dimmer than a cigarette butt.

niftydog said :

I’ve noticed a lot of very dim lights too

You guys are luck that there are at least some dim lights. I have to deal with DIM-WITS on Northbourne who have NO LIGHTS. They are virtually invisible against the backdrop of headlights from motor vehicles if you are paused at the exit of a driveway wanting to enter traffic. The only reason they were visible was by the reflection of streetlights off the shiny metallic parts on their bikes.

There will be a time when I (or another motorist) will completely fail to see these DIM-WITS, and someone is going to get hurt real bad.

The simplest thing that cyclists can do to improve their visibility is add a reflective tape band to their leg. The Cyclist visibility at night: Perceptions of visibility do not necessarily match reality study published through Australian College of Road Safety indicates that a reflective vest provides a 50% confidence level of identification of a cyclist, adding the tape to a moving body part increases that to 90%.

Of course, this assumes that the cyclist is aware of their invisibility. The paper suggests that many people do not realise how hard it is to see them in the first place. I guess that’s a measured way of stating that many people suffer under the illusion, “it won’t happen to me.”

I agree with you LSWCHP, be visible people. My rear light on my roadie is that bright you cannot look into it & it has a flash that is inconsistent to attract attention. Same with my front lights, I have one on my helmet & one on the bars. I dont care if pedestrians abuse me because they are bright, it beats running into them………

I also have reflectors all over & on bits that move to attract attention.

The bright rear lights are a different story on the MTB though (off road), nothing worse than following your mate & being blinded by the light.

…his only illumination was a ridiculous little light that appeared to be dimmer than a cigarette butt.

I’ve noticed a lot of very dim lights too – and it’s just as annoying and dangerous to other cyclists. Just because the light glows doesn’t mean it’s working effectively, folks – check your batteries!

At the time I wondered why he wasn’t travelling on the nearby bike path.

Probably because that bike path is useless if you wish to reach Belconnen Way; it dumps you out onto the wrong side of the road a few hundred metres up Barry Drive. It’s really only intended for city-bound traffic.

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