Cyclists

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Most people seem to have a fairly strong opinion on them either way, so do you love them or hate them?

[bayman]

most are very good however as you do with all things you get the idiots out, especially those on saturday mornings riding up anzac highway & cross roads riding 5-8 a breast & some as fat as mal & me wearing the 'lycra cycling outfits'

[Dog_ger]

Voted "Love Them"

Treat them with "Full Respect"

If we all could throw the car keys away and ride bikes.....

Impossible I know,.......

[auto]

Some of them suck. Why oh why do they travel 3 abreast on an 80k zone? Thats just asking for trouble.

[aceman]

Why some insist on riding 3-4 abreast along Military Road is beyond belief.
Some of them must actually believe they are Lance Armstrong or Robbie McEwen and have the "God given right" to do it..

[Dog_ger]

Why some insist on riding 3-4 abreast along Military Road is beyond belief.
Some of them must actually believe they are Lance Armstrong or Robbie McEwen and have the "God given right" to do it..

Isn't that human nature my friend.

Give em some space...

In my "Stupid Years" I thought I was "Peter Brock & Dennis Lillee"

[JK]

The law supports cyclists using an entire lane as road users (as I've always understood it), so I've never had a problem with them doing so.

However, my pet hate with some cyclists is that they are all very vociferous about their right to use the road in such a manner, yet when at stoplights they won't remain in position as the cars have to do, they will inside ride single file along the inside, thus taking off from the lights in pole position and making the cars have to dawdle behind them again.

[aceman]

Why some insist on riding 3-4 abreast along Military Road is beyond belief.
Some of them must actually believe they are Lance Armstrong or Robbie McEwen and have the "God given right" to do it..

Isn't that human nature my friend.

Give em some space...

In my "Stupid Years" I thought I was "Peter Brock & Dennis Lillee"

It may well be, but when they get skittled by a vehicle, isn't the blame normally put on the driver of the vehicle. My teaching said no more than 2 abreast and stay as near as practical to the left hand side of the road.
When did that law change?

[Pseudo]

The law supports cyclists using an entire lane as road users (as I've always understood it), so I've never had a problem with them doing so.

Being legal and being a good idea are different concepts. It will be small consolation to a cyclist to know that he was in the right while his corpse is being scraped off the road.

However, my pet hate with some cyclists is that they are all very vociferous about their right to use the road in such a manner, yet when at stoplights they won't remain in position as the cars have to do, they will inside ride single file along the inside, thus taking off from the lights in pole position and making the cars have to dawdle behind them again.

Could. Not. Agree. More.

I particularly loathe the @r$eholes who treat their velocipedes as an all-terrain assault vehicle, ignoring red lights, turning onto a pedestrian crossing and riding across it while pedestrians are crossing, mounting the kerb at will and swerving around foot traffic at high speed.

It is possible that the majority of cyclists is composed of well-mannered folk who ride their steeds wisely and treat vehicular traffic with the proper respect. Unfortunately such cyclists are rarely noticed, which is as it should be. Only those who openly flout road laws, disrespect pedestrians, obstruct vehicular traffic and park their gaudy contraptions three-deep outside cafes are the ones who are noticed. This leads to the belief that ALL cyclists are DHes.

[CK]

There is certainly a mutual obligation on the part of both parties to share the road, and there is no doubt there are a number of motorists who don't pay cyclists their due respect.

I'm mystified, however, by the percentage of cyclists that do the following (regularly observed):

- Sail straight through traffic lights in the city, nearly knocking over people on the crossing, and then deliver torrents of abuse at them for daring to be on the crossing. This is NOT just couriers either.

- Ride in packs and when they hear a car approaching, fan out as far as five abreast to prevent the car from passing. A percentage that travel on Sunday mornings between Kangarilla and McLaren Vale are offenders at this. As soon as a straight section of road appears to allow a car to overtake, out they swing to make it impossible - and then deliver torrents of abuse at the drivers, who are attempting to follow accepted road protocols. This is by no means restricted to that area, I see it a fair bit in the Southern suburbs.

- Cyclists who, with a bike lane available, choose to ride down the centre of main roads - and again, deliver torrents of abuse at drivers who, rightly, ask them to move aside. When a bike lane is present and available, the cyclist has the obligation to use it - not block vehicle use.

Again, no doubt there are bad egg drivers out there who don't pay due respect - but some cyclists conveniently use the "Share The Road" mantra to rewrite the rules to suit themselves. I'll leave aside that they don't pay any form of registration etc that vehicle users do, but some appear to want a number of additional rights, as well as the right to abuse drivers, hit their cars, spit on them etc (and yes, I've seen this and in one case, experienced it from a cyclist who I dared to try and overtake on a road in the fully correct manner). Unfortunately, this small percentage can tarnish the majority of ones who do it all correctly.

[RoosterMarty]

The law supports cyclists using an entire lane as road users (as I've always understood it), so I've never had a problem with them doing so.

However, my pet hate with some cyclists is that they are all very vociferous about their right to use the road in such a manner, yet when at stoplights they won't remain in position as the cars have to do, they will inside ride single file along the inside, thus taking off from the lights in pole position and making the cars have to dawdle behind them again.

That is if they stop at the lights, quite often I will see cyclists ride straight through a red light as if they think that is one particular rule they don't have to obey.

[mighty_tiger_79]

There is certainly a mutual obligation on the part of both parties to share the road, and there is no doubt there are a number of motorists who don't pay cyclists their due respect.

I'm mystified, however, by the percentage of cyclists that do the following (regularly observed):

- Sail straight through traffic lights in the city, nearly knocking over people on the crossing, and then deliver torrents of abuse at them for daring to be on the crossing. This is NOT just couriers either.

- Ride in packs and when they hear a car approaching, fan out as far as five abreast to prevent the car from passing. A percentage that travel on Sunday mornings between Kangarilla and McLaren Vale are offenders at this. As soon as a straight section of road appears to allow a car to overtake, out they swing to make it impossible - and then deliver torrents of abuse at the drivers, who are attempting to follow accepted road protocols. This is by no means restricted to that area, I see it a fair bit in the Southern suburbs.

- Cyclists who, with a bike lane available, choose to ride down the centre of main roads - and again, deliver torrents of abuse at drivers who, rightly, ask them to move aside. When a bike lane is present and available, the cyclist has the obligation to use it - not block vehicle use.

Again, no doubt there are bad egg drivers out there who don't pay due respect - but some cyclists conveniently use the "Share The Road" mantra to rewrite the rules to suit themselves. I'll leave aside that they don't pay any form of registration etc that vehicle users do, but some appear to want a number of additional rights, as well as the right to abuse drivers, hit their cars, spit on them etc (and yes, I've seen this and in one case, experienced it from a cyclist who I dared to try and overtake on a road in the fully correct manner). Unfortunately, this small percentage can tarnish the majority of ones who do it all correctly.

perhaps an idea would be is to sit in passenger seat, take some photos of them and as you slowly pass them by just let them know you will be passing that onto the police...

[JK]

The law supports cyclists using an entire lane as road users (as I've always understood it), so I've never had a problem with them doing so.

However, my pet hate with some cyclists is that they are all very vociferous about their right to use the road in such a manner, yet when at stoplights they won't remain in position as the cars have to do, they will inside ride single file along the inside, thus taking off from the lights in pole position and making the cars have to dawdle behind them again.

That is if they stop at the lights, quite often I will see cyclists ride straight through a red light as if they think that is one particular rule they don't have to obey.

Yeah fair call, begs the question that if they are allowed to share the road by law, why aren't their vehicles fitted with license plates of some description ... Perhaps if they were they would then be as fearful/respectful of Red light camera's as many other motorists are?

[JK]

With the buses always having right of way (which makes sense, despite how dangerous it can be at times) and support for cyclists on the road, it seems that the majority of users (motor vehicles) are the ones with the least rights.

[Interceptor]

Bikes tend to be the 4WDs of the footpaths as well.

I often go for a run where I currently live and have often encountered cyclists who insist on making their way through in a care-free fashion, despite the walkways being quite busy with tourists/locals and a 15 km/h signed limit.

Everyone needs to keep a eye on what's going on, but there's a "couldn't give a crap" attitude by some cyclists as well.

[mighty_tiger_79]

i can see - REVENGE on the CYCLISTS

[Bully]

Ummmmm Motorcyclists???? this is off the topic but...

Had an argument with one the other day where i was sitting a little close to the other car in the lane next to me, i had the window down and the trafic was slow, i saw him driving up in the middle of both lanes, illegaly of course , he stopped behind me and then we started to move and he had enough room to drive in between both cars. He then, once the traffic had stopped, pulled upto my window, lifted his viser up and yelled abuse at me. I then reminded him that he was doing something against the law. And if he wanted to take a little trip to the police station we could find out whom was in the wrong. But he didnt like that so took off. All the talk about watching the motorcyclists and make sure you give them the room where ALL of them use the shoulder, take off like crease lightning when lights go green,drive up the middle of two,three lanes of traffic and yet we (car,truck,bus) drivers are told "we" should look out for them and we are doing thins wrong.

[Psyber]

My current mild dislike of cyclists is dictated by the behaviour of the small new breed of militant cyclists who seem to think they have a moral superiority that makes them exempt from the road rules.
Most cyclists I've known have quite nice, and years ago I was one myself.
I have a cousin who was a state women's champion years ago and still runs a bicycle manufacturing business.
Unfortunately, she admits regretfully, they now assemble Chinese kits rather than making them locally.

[fish]

I am always amazed by how much scrutiny and negative press is heaped onto cyclists when it is clear that errant motorists are clearly the biggest and most prolific danger on the roads. On my short drive today I was tailgated twice (while doing 50 in a 50 zone), saw several cars speeding and one driver texting (or dialling) on their mobile while making a right hand turn across traffic. Surely this behaviour deserves more disdain than the odd cyclist who runs a red light only when they know the road is clear.

[Hondo]

I used to ride regularly and will get back to it one day so am sympathetic to both POV's. Note that I would avoid certain main roads and spent most of my time on linear park.

Personally, I never rode in a group and never saw myself as a car and so would be careful at lights, wait for the cars to go, etc. These guys in the groups are going to times and speed averages both of which I think are unrealistic when sharing roads with cars. I understand all the frustrations that drivers have with some cyclists.

However, even being as respectful as possible of cars I had a handful of "run ins" with idiot drivers who would swerve in or yell out to scare/startle me and make it downright dangerous for both of us. Remember that you are in a 1 tonne car and they are completely exposed. However, to those cyclists who take too many liberties I say remember that they are in a 1 tonne car and you are completely exposed!

Share the roads carefully everyone!