176 replies to this topic

[Zammo]

As a regular commuter and weekend rider, I simply want to get home safely to my family. Riding within the law and being as courteous as I can unfortunately is not enough. My only recourse is to ride defensively, and even then I have been hit once (unintentionally from a van not paying attention). There is one section of my commute particularly prone to dooring - in addition the road is uneven with loose gravel thoughout the bike lane - in the wet or wind, I simply pull onto the footpath, as in peak hour it's just too risky.

Surprisingly, I rarely get abused - the odd insult has been from morons I have not even slowed down. Considering part of my commute is through an industrial estate that is dedicated to car detailing and panel beating, I'm amazed I haven't copped it much yet. I did have a big souped up V8 commodore pull along side once and wind his window down. Instead of abuse, he simply said "Hey mate, that bike looks bloody fast!", to which I replied the bike was no faster than my legs - he chuckled and planted his foot. Another commodore comment was to challenge me to a burn off at the lights. Wish all hoons could take their driving and attitude to cyclists so light heartedly.

[proftournesol]

Actually I did have a helmet cam, here's a video i took from a typical drive anywhere on the Mornington Peninsula (ignore the bit where it says Belgium)
http://youtube.googl...utoplay=1&rel=0

[Makka]

That was absolutely brilliant.
I haven't laughed so much for years.

[krebetman]

Loved it (except for the dooring incident of course )

Edited by krebetman, 04 June 2012 - 08:14 PM.

[Jake]

Beach Rd? Bring it on!

[davidsss]

Tony, I think you misunderstood, I was largely agreeing with you but also providing the cyclists' perspective. Especially when riding a bit of a distance, uphill or into the wind, a lot of cycling is about preserving energy.

Inconsiderate cyclists really piss me off. My bike is a commuter vehicle, that's basically what it gets used for. If we all behave better then the roads are safer for all of us. There are some idiot commuter cyclists but I think common sense and the willingness to share the road is something you really need as a commuter (and a bloody thick skin on a night like this, why did I ride in today?).

I actually do ride Beach Rd, to work most days. On the way in I ride on the bike path because there is no bike lane going North from Elwood to Albert Park. I prefer the road but there just isn't space. I would just get held up by, and hold up, the motorised traffic. I don't mind Beach Rd but it ain't perfect.

I actually did a bike tour in Bangkok. Everyone thinks your crazy when you tell them that. Most of the tour was around the south where a lot of people live on canals, We didn't go into the centre of town but we did go to some high traffic areas and it wasn't that hard. Don't know if I'd do it in the centre of Delhi though.

I don't think registration is the answer, it doesn't stop the cars from breaking road laws. I don't think mandatory helmet laws are the answer either but that's a whole different can of worms.

DS

[L J T]

The only time I have had a close encounter with a cyclist, was on a Saturday morning and they were listening to their music via earbuds. This certain cyclist had no regard for safety and was in the mindstate of "owning the road". This was a one off case and I understand there are many others that are safe and considerate cyclists.

99% of the time I never have a problem with them.

[proftournesol]

there are a lot of 'kidney-donors-in-waiting' out there L J T

[LogicprObe]

I've nearly wiped out a few pedestrians and joggers that were wearing earbuds.

[Grumpy]

Actually I did have a helmet cam, here's a video i took from a typical drive anywhere on the Mornington Peninsula (ignore the bit where it says Belgium)
http://youtube.googl...y%3d1%26rel%3d0

Gave me and the Missus a good laugh thanks prof. - nice motorbike!

[proftournesol]

Gave me and the Missus a good laugh thanks prof. - nice motorbike!

strange thing, with everything that's going on in that clip, all I could do was watch that motorbike

[MultiplexMan]

[davidsss]

Pedestrians constantly run out into traffic and never look for bikes. It takes some concentration to avoid them all.

DS

[Super Mustud]

Pedestrians constantly run out into traffic and never look for bikes. It takes some concentration to avoid them all.

DS

The swine. Pedestrians should wear flouro vests.

[davidsss]

It would help if they look before dashing across the road. No need for flouro vests, or mandatory helmet laws

DS

[proftournesol]

The swine. Pedestrians should wear flouro vests.

no, they should be made to pay registration fees.

[Super Mustud]

no, they should be made to pay registration fees.

Absolutely. They should have a yearly footpath levy and pay extra Medicare for dropped arches. User pays is an important principle.

[LogicprObe]

Yes...........ratepayers, like mortgage holders are always the ones getting slugged.
Government wants to tweak something..............give them a whack!

[Super Mustud]

Yes...........ratepayers, like mortgage holders are always the ones getting slugged.
Government wants to tweak something..............give them a whack!

No footpath levy for boatpeople.

[LogicprObe]

No footpath levy for boatpeople.

Public Housing doesn't pay them.

[proftournesol]

'user pays' Lp, it's one of the central planks for the corporatised state, no cross subsidies, no 'commonwealth', if you use it you get charged what the market will bear. Don't forget to increase the cost to include the profit margin and return to shareholders.

[Super Mustud]

'user pays' Lp, it's one of the central planks for the corporatised state, no cross subsidies, no 'commonwealth', if you use it you get charged what the market will bear. Don't forget to increase the cost to include the profit margin and return to shareholders.

Privatisation of footpaths is an obvious way to balance the Greek debt. Some people do not think sufficiently laterally.

Edit: Oh yeah, dont't forget to add the carbon tax or the aboriginal tent embassy social security levy.

Edited by Super Mustud, 05 June 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[Dustin]

One way to help drivers notice bikes is for riders to adopt the Naked Bike Ride philosophy every single day.
Makes obvious sense, really.

[Super Mustud]

One way to help drivers notice bikes is for riders to adopt the Naked Bike Ride philosophy every single day.
Makes obvious sense, really.

I knew SNA would come up with a solution.

Davidsss, are you listening?

[GregWormald]

One way to help drivers notice bikes is for riders to adopt the Naked Bike Ride philosophy every single day.
Makes obvious sense, really.

I'm sure I'd notice them.
I'm not sure I'd remember to drive.

Greg

[Jake]

One way to help drivers notice bikes is for riders to adopt the Naked Bike Ride philosophy every single day.
Makes obvious sense, really.

Must be a really old pic. That woman has no arse antlers.

[LogicprObe]

How could you forget this one?

[Super Mustud]

How could you forget this one?

It did beg that clip, didn't it.

[ayou2]

Must be a really old pic. That woman has no arse antlers.

There is a pair in that photo though.

[proftournesol]

I'm really finding a use for my helmet cam now, I followed this girl on my bike today. Would you risk dorring a cyclist and interrupting this?

[LogicprObe]

Must be a really old pic. That woman has no arse antlers.

You mean, 'Tramp Stamp', don't you?

[Zammo]

I'm really finding a use for my helmet cam now, I followed this girl on my bike today. Would you risk dorring a cyclist and interrupting this?

Just not fair. With my seat post that high, I'd just get sore nuts and a numb knob.

[proftournesol]

As she doesn't seem to be a ladyboy, that's not a problem for her!

[barelythere]

I was going to say something...
I forgot....

[proftournesol]

This is what it's like being a cyclist

[Arg]

Taking a nanny state view -

• mandatory hi-viz vests on bicycles.
  
• mandatory daytime running lights on bicycles.
  
• making checking of mirrors before exiting the vehicle a criteria of new licensee driving tests.
  
• bicycle speed limits in high density (traffic) areas.
  
• changes to ADR's regarding motor vehicle mirror sizes.
  
• Increased fines has/will be mentioned, but I would assume that no one willingly injures a cyclist.

MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO EXIT OR ENTER A CAR EXCEPT ON THE FOOTPATH SIDE!

Now That's Nanny State!

[captainclive]

As a motorcycle rider I can assure you that unless you are a danger to the motorist, you are invisible.

A friend whose second bike is an ex-police bike with much of the original gear remaining says that he gets much more attention when on it rather than on his 'civilian' bike.

The first rule of the road is "Look after yourself.", 'cause nobody else cares as much about you as you do.

Greg

Large hairy bikies on Harleys are also a threat and seen

[barelythere]

If you don't ride like your invisible and take action to avoid being hit then you will be run down eventually,
and YES people do intentionally try and run down cyclists, its a sport to some people....

[davidsss]

This is what it's like being a cyclist

I ride that stretch of road every day on the way to work, it's insane and that cyclist was trying to do the right thing and keep away from the truck and taxi drivers' doors on his left and then a passenger does that. It's insane.

DS

[Super Mustud]

I ride that stretch of road every day on the way to work, it's insane and that cyclist was trying to do the right thing and keep away from the truck and taxi drivers' doors on his left and then a passenger does that. It's insane.

DS

David, was that correct speed? It seemed fast to me. If the cyclist was really travelling that fast then I am not sure that the car passenger would have seen him even if reasonable care was taken.

I am prepared to be corrected on this.

[emesbee]

Large hairy bikies on Harleys are also a threat and seen

...and heard. (Why is it that Harley's seem to be exempt from being defected for excessive noise?)

[Super Mustud]

...and heard. (Why is it that Harley's seem to be exempt from being defected for excessive noise?)

Its not excessive noise, just excessive sex.

[barelythere]

Its not excessive noise, just excessive sex.

That's just wrong, wrong, wrong!
The ONLY sexy twin pot on the road is a big Duke.
Seek counseling Super.

[emesbee]

Its not excessive noise, just excessive sex.

There is no such thing!

[Super Mustud]

That's just wrong, wrong, wrong!
The ONLY sexy twin pot on the road is a big Duke.
Seek counseling Super.

Have booked into sex counselling.

SNA is very helpful. Have informed Mrs Mustud.