Cyclists V Cars

[FTe342]

Originally Posted by Craiginmackay

Cyclists do have to follow the road rules, just like truck drivers, car drivers, scooter drivers and motorcyclists. Whether or not they do is up to them, but they face the same thing as you do in your car if caught.

I don't believe that cyclists should be registered, because I cant see a point in it. Most people who cycle do so because of the health benefits, something which should be encouraged in this lard ****, couch potato world that we now live in.

1st paragraph - Really? How many points will they lose?

2nd paragraph - last time I thought about it, you are a long time dead in a box! What's healthy about that?

Cyclists need to use some common sense and pick where they ride (to stay healthy).

Consider me driving a 26 metre B double tanker on the Pacific Hwy between Wahroonga and Artarmon. There are sections of the road, some 2 lane but mostly 3 lane, where the lanes are not even as wide as the wheelbase of the truck, travelling in a straight line. So you can imagine the truck needs more than two lanes when negotiating bends in the road. Empty @ 18 ton, loaded @ 68.5 ton. It won't stop on a dime.
So its a Sunday, traffic is lighter than usual but its still one of the busiest roads in the country ffs, clearway does not apply and parked cars on corners are being missed by inches by the tri axle on the rear of the B trailer. I can't move over, there are cars in the lane next to me, who can't even see the parked cars, cyclists etc in the left lane.

With or without the B double (and I am not the only truck on the road) its potentially death alley for cyclists. Yet they insist on riding this hwy, singly and in groups, in the quest to stay healthy?

Personally I think they have an ego problem. Look at me, riding my expensive pushy. Go somewhere where its safe! Like a park or a velodrome. Why do you need to be on the busiest hwy in the country flirting with death. If you feel the need for your feet to go round and round, go to the gym or put an exercise bike in the loungeroom.

So when I blow the horn to let you know there is 26m of truck coming by, don't look at me with the death stare because I am not giving you room. Wake up and cycle somewhere else

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by shonkymofo

There is a difference between being legal and being courteous though.

If someone on the road is going 1/3 to 1/2 of the speed limit I think it is very selfish to prevent people from being able to pass you safely because of your road position, regardless of whether you are on a bike, car, truck, whatever.

Agreed. Last time I checked, driving too slowly and generally impeding traffic flow is a bookable traffic offence. Cyclists should keep up with the flow of traffic or get back in the cycle lane.

Originally Posted by Craiginmackay

Mate, you seem to forget cyclists ARE taxpayers. They probably already own a couple of registerable vehicles. Buy houses and pay stamp duty, rates, etc,etc. Own businesses and pay company tax,etc.

So?

Just because cyclists already pay taxes and rego, they should be exempt from paying rego on their second vehicle (bike)? Why doesn't that apply to motorists who also pay taxes AND rego? If I choose to buy a second car I'll have to pay rego for that too.

[ltd_on20s]

Originally Posted by XR8_ash

Up in the Adelaide Hills, there are ******** parasites......
They ride 2 or 3 abreast therefore making you either jump on the brakes to 20km/r or overtake. Now when I do the speed limit going around a blind corner just to be faced with a wall of these c**ks and I have no where to go its only a matter of time when they will cause a serious accident. Now we all know the ...... yeah but car/truck/motor bike rider are ...... blah, blah blah, just remember that we have to to pay rego and tax. A cyclist that causes an acident can just peddle of with no rego, no I.D, no insurance etc....

By SA law, if there is no bike lane, they are allowed to ride in the middle of the lane if they want.

[gtxb67]

i can understand the frustration motorists have with cyclists. for example, it can be very annoying driving through the mountains with a group of them in front and nowhere to pass. it can very annoying putting up with them at any time
however, it is just as annoying putting up with registration paying motorists that don't care about anyone else

it is the attitude of the road user that is the problem, not the mode of transport they use

[reinman]

Originally Posted by FTe342

Consider me driving a 26 metre B double tanker on the Pacific Hwy between Wahroonga and Artarmon. There are sections of the road, some 2 lane but mostly 3 lane.....................So when I blow the horn to let you know there is 26m of truck coming by, don't look at me with the death stare because I am not giving you room. Wake up and cycle somewhere else

Absoluetly right, when I'm in a semi trailer with 40 000L of Unleaded or Diesel onboard, I'm not stopping in a hurry, and I'm certainly not moving into the oncoming lane.....some cyclist (not all of them) need a little more common sense.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by ratter

many times cycle lanes have broken glass, nails etc in them from idiotic minded people or just general road debris, they are normally cleaner towards to traffic side of the lane.

Yes I have came across glass many times while riding. All you have to do is slow down, check your surroundings and go around the glass, then get bake into the bike lane. You only have to leave the bike lane for a few metres at a time.
Some guys claim to be avoid glass and other debris for 10kms straight while riding in the main traffic lane next to the bike lane. It's just unnecessary.

Some people make out that bike lanes are as filthy as the local dump. It's far from the truth.

[Rockape]

I started to hate cyclist's when i started to drive Trucks. They should'nt be on a road if they cant do the limit.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by Rockape

I started to hate cyclist's when i started to drive Trucks. They should'nt be on a road if they cant do the limit.

but trucks take too long to get to the limit - should they be off the road too

. . . and i drive trucks and don't ride bikes

[mik]

there`s probably plenty of ***** heads driving/riding all forms of transport, but some are just infuriating, one circumstance comes to mind a couple of weeks ago , a single lane road with zero overtaking opportunities, very heavily used road with a dedicated bike lane, yet the two ***** heads on push bikes ride side by side like hell angels, i might add these where`nt dumb kids that` did`nt know any better, these where adults and they where having a good time holding up traffic for a considerable distance, laughing and talking riding at a slow pace.
I might add half of these ***** heads on bicycles ride at night no reflective clothing ,no lights, no responsibility.

[blackf6]

To add fuel to the fire- I am a tanker driver too, and i like to be aware of my surroundings be it cyclists parked cars slow drivers or kangaroos. Whatever the case I drive accordingly. Regardless of the fact we all have to share the roads, even with the wildlife. And I will admit not all cyclists obey the rules, probably ****ing many a motorist off in the process. All that is needed is sharing of the goat tracks we call roads at times.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by FTe342

1st paragraph - Really? How many points will they lose?

Because having points taken off your licence is the main deterrent to not breaking the toad rules, yeah right!

Cyclists can lose points off their drivers licence, that is if they aren't 5 years old and actually have a car licence, which most adults in Aus do. They even give morons a drivers licence.

They can also be done for DUI and speeding just like anyone else on the roads.

[blueoval]

The reason I believe some don't ride within the bike lane is due to level of debris that slashes your tires. its pretty bad sometimes but I avoid it as best as possible IF ITS SAFE TO DO SO. but lingering in the middle of the road obstructions traffic I avoid because its inconsiderate and somewhat antagonistic for other road users.

[pottery beige]

few tough guys in this thread.. try having a family member out for a ride, minding their own business, obeying all road rules and cleaned up by a car.....

not a good place to be in.. and you do re assess your outlook on cyclists....

[Franco Cozzo]

Cyclists clogging up the road, tourists driving slow, trucks in the right hand lane, pedestrians jay walking, etc.

You know what I do? Relax and take it easy, I don't really care if I have to slow down for a cyclist, stick behind a truck/tourist, I give way to jay walking pedestrians, if I see some pedestrians on the footpath going to cross the driveway I want to turn into, at the shops or what ever, I always stop and let them go by, even if they aren't waiting and haven't reached the driveway to cross.

They probably appreciate me not being an ******* by cutting them off, nasty overtaking maneuver etc. What time is it going to save me in the long run? I might get to work 30 seconds earlier when everything has been added up. Who cares? I'm happy, they're happy, everyone is happy.

I just leave 15-30 minutes early for everything and drive a bit slower, hang in the left lane taking it easy while others drive like maniacs and get angry over nothing.

[pottery beige]

stop talking sense in this thread damo...

[flooded one]

cyclist that obey the rules i dont mind!!! its the ones who think they own the road who give the rest a bad name!!!

[XD 351 Ute]

Cyclists V cars, what a topic.

First thing I got taught when riding my pushbike to school as a youngster (and we had to ride the Bruce Highway for about 2km - enough said) - was "Stay off the bloody road, and watch out for cars, trucks, etc. etc."

Funnily enough, that has stuck in my scone for over 30 years, and still rings true today, even more-so with the extra traffic on our roads.
Yes, cyclists have the right to use the roads, but as far as I'm concerned, my built-in life preserving desire is greater than that of my desire to go cycling up the road playing dodge the everything.

So I don't.


Ed

[pottery beige]

there are no winners in this car v cyclists v truck bs...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/s...-1226389943067

[flooded one]

I have seen bad on both sides of the argument. you'll get ya idiots in cars that will try and mow them down and you get the smart assed cyclist who thinks because he rides a bike he owns the road!!! I had a cyclist make out he was going to fight me about a year ago. he took off running with out his bike when i flew out of my car!!! he ran a stop sign and i had too brake hard too avoid plowing into him. i blew the horn and he flipped me off!!! so i drove up next too him and said. "didnt you see the stop sign??" he mouthed off something at me. then got off his bike and shapped up!! so i slammed my brakes on in the old AU and pretty much flew out of my car and as soon as i got too him he ****ed bolted down the street!!! without his bike!! I yelled "its idiots like you that give the rest a bad name!!" everyone reckons i should of taken his bike. i'm not like that thou. I have seen people in cars do stupid stuff towards cyclist too!! like the poor bloke i seen pelleted with cans by a bunch of teenages in a commodore while riding his bike!!!. I also know of a truck driver who oneday at about 3 set of lights had a cyclist punch his door while waiting at the lights!!! the excuse was from the cyclist when the truckie had enough of it was. "I dont like trucks!!"

[FTe342]

Originally Posted by Craiginmackay

Because having points taken off your licence is the main deterrent to not breaking the toad rules, yeah right!

Cyclists can lose points off their drivers licence, that is if they aren't 5 years old and actually have a car licence, which most adults in Aus do. They even give morons a drivers licence.

They can also be done for DUI and speeding just like anyone else on the roads.

That's right - when your license is your living you have a different perspective. You think the fines are the main deterrent. What else is there?

Cyclists can lose points off their driving license? New one on me. Bet its never happened!

Have heard of cyclist getting done for DUI. Saw a young guy getting "booked" by HWP for no helmut in Singleton in the early hours a few weeks ago

[FTe342]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

there are no winners in this car v cyclists v truck bs...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/s...-1226389943067

that's why its smart to stay away from the danger - common sense. Your not too healthy dead in a box and some poor bar$tard has to live with it

[mash again]

I used to cycle when i was younger, but it looks way too dangerous now, im happy to put on my helmet and hans device and go racing because its **** loads safer than being on a road on a bike with no protection. Hell you have to wear a seat belt in your car to prevent injury, if that logic was applied you wouldnt even be allowed to ride a bike/motorbike on a public road. I think there are alot of cyclists behaveing/riding in a manner that will get themselves hurt whether there fault or not the results of being a hood ornament still hurt even if your not in the wrong. There are also alot or car drivers that need to use more common sense with cyclists around (i know, nothing common about sense). But the fact remains that in many places cyclists are dicing with death. Lycra clad organ donors! Pick your route carefully to stay out of harms way.

PS. think they should stay off of two lane 100km plus highways.

[DJM83]

I must admit i do get a little cranky with some riders on the road, mainly the groups that take up entire lanes.

That said in my younger days i raced MTB bikes and i could only imagine the thoughts of drivers then when i rode my bike.

[ratter]

Originally Posted by Rockape

I started to hate cyclist's when i started to drive Trucks. They should'nt be on a road if they cant do the limit.

and if trucks can't maintain their speed up a hill or take off as quick as other vehicle. then should they also be banned?

[CFOUR]

as i said in a motorcycle thread, two wheels and four wheels shouldnt mix, neither should 18 wheels and 4. its like leaving a hungry Rottweiler in a room with a kitten.

[mik]

Originally Posted by CFOUR

as i said in a motorcycle thread, two wheels and four wheels shouldnt mix, neither should 18 wheels and 4. its like leaving a hungry Rottweiler in a room with a kitten.

i think it more so that people need to have a bit of patience and consideration for other road users and to occasionally use their brains, my cousin a while ago reported to me a truck driver yelled at her and called her a blonde haired bimbo.............. she tried to overtaking him while he was turning.
fair dinkum some people just have tunnel vision and not a clue, and i`ve had a dumb kid about 12 year old without looking walk out from between cars and tumble across the bonnet of the car i was a passenger in, the lady driving the car doing about 40 kph crash stopped probably doing 15 kph when they connected , she got the fright of her life and was just about in shock, the kid was fine with a couple of bruises after brushing himself off strolling away. this sort of stuff happens too often and most of the time there`s no need for it.

[HLC]

I'm not wasting my time reading the whole of this thread. It's all crap. But,

I spend just as much money on cycling as I do on cars, and I would more than happily pay rego on my 3 bikes if it meant that all the idiots in society, not just this thread, that tailgate me, cut me off, hurl abuse, throw things, and lastly nearly run me over (I was hit by a car 6 weeks ago, it was his fault entirely), would give up and start showing other road users the respect that they deserve.

Let's face it, Australia is a car orientated place. That will NEVER change. Whilst the scenery may not change, our ATTITUDE'S can.

More education is the key, and show some patientce and respect for other road users.. Learn the road rules too. I only have to cycle within 1m from the curb, and you need to give me 1.5m when passing me.

Not all cyclists obey the rules and do the right thing either, and I am in no way justifying their actions, and if they do something silly and get hurt, well as far as I go, that's their problem.

In summation, cyclists have a right to use the road, show them the respect they deserve as vulnerable road users, and all cyclists should use some common sense about when/where they are riding as well. Ride to the conditions, and show some courtesy to road users hidden in their metal cages as well (when and where possible).

[HLC]

Originally Posted by XR8_ash

Fair and true call. All I think about when reading this is;

Scenario - Out of the way hills area.
Action - I'm on a pushie and cause an acident with a motor bike and the bike rider goes down.
Outcome- (If I'm okay) I can just give heaps of fake info as there is no rego plate on my $2000 Carbon Fiber pushie for the other member (or any one else for that matter) to take down for later on. The motor bike rider can't even use the cyclists insurance details as 1. he has no insurance on the push bike and 2 you don't even have any real details of who he is.........

Wrong.

My Contents insurance covers my bike, and gives me Liability up to $20 million if I cause an accident on the roads.

Any cyclist worth his/her salt would have his '$2000 carbon fibre pushie' listed on their insurance (contents or bike specific) which will include some kind of public liability while in use.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by FTe342

That's right - when your license is your living you have a different perspective. You think the fines are the main deterrent. What else is there?

Well I need my licence for my living and the bitter taste of handing money over for doing SFA because I have technically broken some dragonian law hurts a lot more than losing a few points.

Of course a serial offender ( such as yourself maybe) may hurt more due to points lost. For me though ( and 99% of the population), I never accumulate enough in a 3 year period to concern me.

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by HLC

I'm not wasting my time reading the whole of this thread. It's all crap. But,

I spend just as much money on cycling as I do on cars, and I would more than happily pay rego on my 3 bikes if it meant that all the idiots in society, not just this thread, that tailgate me, cut me off, hurl abuse, throw things, and lastly nearly run me over (I was hit by a car 6 weeks ago, it was his fault entirely), would give up and start showing other road users the respect that they deserve.

Let's face it, Australia is a car orientated place. That will NEVER change. Whilst the scenery may not change, our ATTITUDE'S can.

More education is the key, and show some patientce and respect for other road users.. Learn the road rules too. I only have to cycle within 1m from the curb, and you need to give me 1.5m when passing me.

Not all cyclists obey the rules and do the right thing either, and I am in no way justifying their actions, and if they do something silly and get hurt, well as far as I go, that's their problem.

In summation, cyclists have a right to use the road, show them the respect they deserve as vulnerable road users, and all cyclists should use some common sense about when/where they are riding as well. Ride to the conditions, and show some courtesy to road users hidden in their metal cages as well (when and where possible).

I wasn't going to bother replying to this thread either, but this post sums it up perfectly.

I'd pay rego if it meant bogans would all of a sudden have the ability to use their hands and feet and brain at the same time.. but it wouldn't.