6 February 2013

Van clocks recumbent cyclist on Anzac Parade

| johnboy
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ACT Policing’s Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team are investigating a collision between a recumbent cyclist and a van earlier this morning (Wednesday, February 5).

Around 7.30am, the recumbent cyclist was struck by a van at the intersection of Anzac Parade and Blamey Crescent, Campbell.

The cyclist, a 47 year-old man from Pearce, was conveyed by ACT Ambulance to The Canberra Hospital suffering rib and abrasion injuries. Police diverted traffic during the incident.

ACT Policing’s Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team are currently investigating the incident.

Any witnesses to the collision who have not yet spoken to police are urged to contact ACT Policing Operations on 131-444. Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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melon1234 said :

Wouldn’t surprise me if it was this guy

http://youtu.be/ZufNmJIlVsE?t=25s

I’ve seen that guy fly across in front of my handlebars just like he did to you – except it was at the other end of the day, and the other end of Kingston.

I don’t know why people think encumbrance bicycles are better – I’ve yet to be overtaken by someone using one, and I’ve overtaken plenty myself. And I ride a mountainbike and wear normal (ie. non-lycra) clothing!

bundah said :

I have to say that apart from the recumbents i find it amazing and bloody irresponsible that the odd parent or two are prepared to take the risk of riding on busy roads with a bike trailer occupied by a child barely a year old.Absolute lunacy!

A year or two ago, there was a moron who used to ride on Yarra Glen/Adelaide Avenue towards Civic, with a very young child attached to his back. Apart from the fact that it was illegal, it doesn’t take much to work out what would have happened if he’d had any sort of accident.

I have to say that apart from the recumbents i find it amazing and bloody irresponsible that the odd parent or two are prepared to take the risk of riding on busy roads with a bike trailer occupied by a child barely a year old.Absolute lunacy!

Solidarity said :

johnboy said :

I’m not so sure about the visibility argument.

In almost every circumstance the car will overtake the cyclist on the right, giving plenty of time to see them if, frankly, in any sort of state to be driving.

Coming full tilt down a mad hill I’d agree the cyclist should, like anyone, not go sitting in blind spots.

Anzac Parade is a tricky one though, it’s possible the cyclist really was undertaking if coming down the hill there. If so they really should have been anticipating left hand turning traffic.

I’m not talking about who is at fault in any situation.

If you’re the venerable one, you need to take every step you can to ensure you stand out and are noticed. Why would you put your life in somebody elses hands?

Now that I’ve hit the big 50, I must be venerable too…

I’ve often wondered when I see recumbents in traffic, how much vision of the traffic they lose from being down so low. On a normal bike, the rider can see over the cars, or at least through their windows to be aware of what’s going on around them – presumably you lose a lot of that capacity on a recumbent.

I understand why some people need to ride them, and I’m a dedicated bike rider. And I’d certainly give one a go, but only on the shared paths.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd11:11 pm 07 Feb 13

Brandi said :

Much as I hate defending them, mainly on the basis of their beards and 1960s eyewear, recumbent cyclists are no less visible than a child on a BMX or a person in a wheelchair crossing the road.

All too often I hear this nonsense about “such and such is a deathtrap, these people must be suicidal”. It’s actually motorists, and the dynamic of driving inside a big metal box at high speed. “Sorry, I didn’t see you mate” is code for “S***, I wasn’t looking”. Slow down and use your eyes.

Not real bright, huh? Or just got a grudge against motorists?

Using your same logic, how about I just go and lie down across hindmarsh drive, wearing all black in the midddle of night except for a orange flag on my tummy then say its your fault for running me over dead.

Halfwit..l

Brandi said :

It’s actually motorists, and the dynamic of driving inside a big metal box at high speed. “Sorry, I didn’t see you mate” is code for “S***, I wasn’t looking”. Slow down and use your eyes.

Generally I think you’re right. But not in the case of recumbent bicycles.

Sorry to hear the bloke was hurt – but as a cyclist I don’t think recumbents should be on the road. Too low to be seen by cars, too slow for other cyclists and near impossible to safely overtake.

thebrownstreak6912:07 pm 07 Feb 13

Brandi said :

Much as I hate defending them, mainly on the basis of their beards and 1960s eyewear, recumbent cyclists are no less visible than a child on a BMX or a person in a wheelchair crossing the road.

All too often I hear this nonsense about “such and such is a deathtrap, these people must be suicidal”. It’s actually motorists, and the dynamic of driving inside a big metal box at high speed. “Sorry, I didn’t see you mate” is code for “S***, I wasn’t looking”. Slow down and use your eyes.

I like people riding bikes.

It’s a win win situation. Less cars, less congestion, more car parks, cleaner air, etc.

However, riding a recumbent in traffic is one of the more stupider things I can think of. A tiny orange flag in a sea of movement, colour and noise just doesn’t cut it. Sky diving seems safe in comparison.

Great post.

Holden Caulfield12:01 pm 07 Feb 13

Kim F said :

I used to ride a 3 wheeler recumbent – loved it on the bike paths, avoided the road like the plague – never felt safe. I was once waiting to cross the road at a crossing when a big friendly dog ambled up and was looking down at me and dribbling 🙂

Was going to say a Mitsubishi Mirage driver, but you said she was friendly.

It’s a rule for newer bikes but not illegal to ride an older bike without that system in place.

Kind of like how it’s legal to drive a car without seatbelts if it’s never had them fitted.

I used to ride a 3 wheeler recumbent – loved it on the bike paths, avoided the road like the plague – never felt safe. I was once waiting to cross the road at a crossing when a big friendly dog ambled up and was looking down at me and dribbling 🙂

Recumbent bike = donorcycle,

(aka c**t bikes.)

Seriously, cyclists are bad enough, but these things take t**tishness to a new level.

Just saw one shoot across a PEDESTRIAN crossing by Woden library, with nary a care if there were any cars approaching, or, if there were, their ability to see him.

Mind you, he did have a little yellow flag on an arial, so that’s his safety assured.

Solidarity said :

YOU are responsible for YOUR personal safety. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure YOU are visible. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.

How do you leave your house everyday?

gooterz said :

Its a god damn road rule the motorbikes ride with lights on during the day for visibilty

This is not a road rule, it is a suggestion.

johnboy said :

I’m not so sure about the visibility argument.

In almost every circumstance the car will overtake the cyclist on the right, giving plenty of time to see them if, frankly, in any sort of state to be driving.

Coming full tilt down a mad hill I’d agree the cyclist should, like anyone, not go sitting in blind spots.

Anzac Parade is a tricky one though, it’s possible the cyclist really was undertaking if coming down the hill there. If so they really should have been anticipating left hand turning traffic.

I’m not talking about who is at fault in any situation.

If you’re the venerable one, you need to take every step you can to ensure you stand out and are noticed. Why would you put your life in somebody elses hands?

YOU are responsible for YOUR personal safety. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure YOU are visible. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT. This has nothing to do with who is at fault in the event of a collision.

I’m not so sure about the visibility argument.

In almost every circumstance the car will overtake the cyclist on the right, giving plenty of time to see them if, frankly, in any sort of state to be driving.

Coming full tilt down a mad hill I’d agree the cyclist should, like anyone, not go sitting in blind spots.

Anzac Parade is a tricky one though, it’s possible the cyclist really was undertaking if coming down the hill there. If so they really should have been anticipating left hand turning traffic.

Brandi said :

Much as I hate defending them, mainly on the basis of their beards and 1960s eyewear, recumbent cyclists are no less visible than a child on a BMX or a person in a wheelchair crossing the road.

Except that kids on BMXs and people in wheelchairs don’t tend to ride alongside you in traffic. Obviously they’re visible when crossing the road, it’s when they’re beside and behind you that it’s a problem.

Much as I hate defending them, mainly on the basis of their beards and 1960s eyewear, recumbent cyclists are no less visible than a child on a BMX or a person in a wheelchair crossing the road.

All too often I hear this nonsense about “such and such is a deathtrap, these people must be suicidal”. It’s actually motorists, and the dynamic of driving inside a big metal box at high speed. “Sorry, I didn’t see you mate” is code for “S***, I wasn’t looking”. Slow down and use your eyes.

Recumbent bikes are an accident looking for somewhere to happen.

I understand that recumbents are more efficient, but I can’t understand why anybody would choose to ride one on the roads in traffic.

I almost cleaned up a guy on a recumbent while driving home from work in Fyshwick a year or so ago. The sun was going down, visibility wasn’t great and there was moderately heavy traffic at the time. He had a flag on his ride, but was otherwise entirely obscured below the window line of my car. I was looking for cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles but I completely failed to visually process his pitiful little orange triangle in my peripheral vision as he went past me. It was one of the closest shaves I’ve ever had, and I don’t want to repeat it.

melon1234 said :

Wouldn’t surprise me if it was this guy

http://youtu.be/ZufNmJIlVsE?t=25s

I’ve seen that guy fly across in front of traffic against the lights twice at the very same intersection.

There should be visibility restrictions for cyclists

Its a god damn road rule the motorbikes ride with lights on during the day for visibility they’re much bigger than a recum-bent.

Its crazy you can’t ride a Segway on a road but you can a bike where your lying down with head pointed at the car

Wouldn’t surprise me if it was this guy

http://youtu.be/ZufNmJIlVsE?t=25s

smee said :

Here I was thinking they caught a cyclist speeding. Nice misleading header johnboy…

Did the cyclist run a red light?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd4:30 pm 06 Feb 13

Yeah I think you have to have no brain or a death wish to use one of those.
If something bad happens you are even more dead than on a bicycle.

Holden Caulfield4:06 pm 06 Feb 13

KB1971 said :

While I like the idea of the comfort of a recumbent, I think about their visibility in traffic. Quite often you will see a cyclists head above a cars roof so yo know he is there, a recumbent not so much.

Yep, as a motorist I’m not a big fan of them either for the same reasons you mention.

At this time of year it’s not as bad, but in winter when it gets darker sooner they can be nigh on impossible to see at times.

To be fair many recumbent cyclists will have orange flags to increase their visibility, but I’d still rather they weren’t on the road.

While I like the idea of the comfort of a recumbent, I think about their visibility in traffic. Quite often you will see a cyclists head above a cars roof so yo know he is there, a recumbent not so much.

Here I was thinking they caught a cyclist speeding. Nice misleading header johnboy…

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