karmann54 wrote:I have read all the above comments with some interest. I am in my early 40’s now, and have cycled probably over 100 000 kms on mostly Brisbane/SEQ roads, as well as held a car licence since I was 17.
My cycling has covered the gamut of BMX etc as a kid, to broke uni student cycling, a few triathlons (when Noosa Tri had 2-300 participants, not 2-3000) eventually leading to road racing through my 20’s. Kids stopped all that by 30, and now I just commute 2-3 times a week (about 12k each way) and do some weekend rides/charity rides, typically around the 50-100k mark.
As above, I’ve held a car licence since 17 so I see it from both sides. I live near the esplanade at Wynnum/Manly, which is a common destination for cyclists of all persuasions in Brisbane.
My general observations from my experiences, in a general rambling order of no significance;
• Most complaints about ‘other road-users’ seem to stem from the largest group ie car drivers. There is a basic human trait to pick on minority groups, so therefore to a greater or lesser extent all cyclists/truck drivers/4WD owners/non car-drivers are a mob of lunatics who should be banned and locked up for life. Most people think this way to a certain extent, only a few actually talk or act on it.
• I have never had a problem with truck drivers, despite their size. My work is in an industrial area near Brisbanes port, so I do see a lot of trucks.
• I have had relatively few cases of abuse/ things being thrown at me etc. Most common is some 18 yo bunch of yobs showing off yelling out a window. Whatever you say to them won’t actually make them mature, they are just young d**kheads – ignore them. They can’t help it, they are just young and stupid. Time, about 7+ years, is the only healer. NB, most 18 year olds are not young d**kheads, so don’t shout me down.
• I have had one orange thrown at me, which hit my front wheel at speed. It threw me off line, and could have easily chucked me off the bike. This falls into the area of assault, and is about as intelligent as throwing bricks at cars from overpasses.
• Apart from the above isolated cases, most issues I’ve had with other road-users are not to do with deliberate intent, but simply that a large proportion of people on the road at any one time are only partly concentrating on driving – how many times have you got home and can’t remember anything about the drive home?
• Most of the ‘large group’ ie car drivers do not think about the differences of other road-users, like trucks needing more time to stop, bikes basically just need to not be squeezed off the side of the road. They have just as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle, and an overtaking vehicle must give way.
• Registration of bikes would be an administrative nightmare. It would present a pile of issues with fairly limited benefits. Where do you stop? Are ALL bikes registered? Does little juniors bike with training wheels require registration? Is it just adults bikes? Why? Why not? Just seems to be a bit of a nanny-state knee-jerk.
• I do not condone cyclists dis-obeying road rules such as going through red lights. There are times when I have done it though, as early in the morning with no traffic about, bikes do not trigger the road sensors to regulate traffic signals. You could sit there as long as you like, but until a car comes nothing will happen. See the note above about recognising differences.
• Bikes travel at different speeds, mum dad and the kids would be lucky to get to 20 km/h, a bunch of racers can easily sit on 45-50 km/h. If turning and cyclist are approaching, make sure you recognise relative speeds.
• When I ride, I try to be as clear as possible as to what I am doing. You keep steady lines, indicate when turning. Although it is not actually the case, I assume all other motorists on the road will do the wrong thing. As a cyclist, it doesn’t matter who is right or wrong, you will come off worse in an accident – avoid it in the first place. This may mean conceding your equal rights at times. Big deal, get over it.
• When it comes to turns, roundabouts etc, as a cyclist I get off the edge of the road and ‘own the lane’. It is safer for me to sit in the middle of the lane as it can create confusion for myself and others if there are essentially multiple vehicles in a roundabout lane. I am an ex-racing cyclist so can get around probably quicker than the cars – this may not be the best approach for everyone.
• I believe there is a slightly higher percentage of bad/inconsiderate cyclists compared with the percentage of bad motorists. Primarily the racing fraternity, I don’t know if this is the human pack mentality or if this is just something athletes tend to do eg footballers tend to be more aggressive. Bit of both maybe.
As with most disputes between humans from cars V cyclists to war, most people involved are not fundamentally bad. They have just not taken the time to consider another point of view or perspective.
Def some very good statements.
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As a motorcyclist, it is amazing the things you learn in roadcraft and hazard avoidance that you would probably not even think of (Definately something that wasn't taught by a driving instructor). I think that our licencing system is well below par for the power of todays cars.
I will always endeavour to give cyclists and other road users as much space as safely possible. Easy to do when on the motorbike as I only take up a 1/3 of the lane anyway.
One thing that I don't understand is the two riders abreast rule. If 2 motorbikes are riding in this style (generally staggered formation is safer in case a rider needs to swerve to avoid a road hazard) but they are travelling at the same speed as the traffic and generally not impeeding the flow. From a cyclist's perspective, I wouldn't want to be the rider on the outer edge as this presents numerous safety risks. Also if doing this on a single lane road with double lines (which I believe is legal for cyclists to do this) this presents zero overtaking opportunity for other motorists and so puts the cyclists at risk also. I think this situation is where common sense and courtesy should kick in and allow motorists to pass safely. At the end of the day, as a cyclist/motorcyclist you may be in the right from a legal perspective but it makes F.A. difference when you are in hospital for 6 months, paying off a mortgage, have a family to support and may have long term injuries limiting your employment. Def a ballsy way to make a legal point.
Safe cycling/riding/motoring Y'all
😏
- Adam
