Cyclists

[Iron Fist]

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

if they were lance or robbie woudnt be as big a problem
cause those blokes probably rde close to 50-60km an hour?!

[Barto]

People keeping fit and using no fuel.. MUST RAGE AGAINST THEM.

I gave up riding a long time ago because there's people out there who drive deliberately at you and think it's funny. Yeah sure let's kill/cripple someone that'd be a laugh.

I've never understood the argument "they dont pay rego! why should they use the roads?" ignoring the fact that the vast majority of adult cyclist would also own a vehicle, also ignoring the logic that taking the bike every now and again reduces damage to the road/environment etc.

[Barto]

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.

Nothing enrages people more than seeing someone else get away with breaking a rule that they're obeying. It's a theory I have that explains the cyclist hate and FWIW, I used to always obey the traffic lights.

[JK]

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.

Very fair post mate

[westozfalcon]

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.

That's right. They treat pathways around lakes and parks as private training tracks.

[zipzap]

I like the idea if not the reality

[The Yetti]

The Tour Down Under is a fantastic event. Surely we can put up with a couple of weeks of excess cyclists. The same as the V8's, causing problems for the eastern Suberbs for a few days.
The Christmas pagaent blocking off the city once a year. The residents of west Lakes with AFL Footy. Victor Harbor with Schoolies week. Residents around the Guv complaining about the music

FFS We all know it is going to happen....have some patience ....next thing we will be grizzling about the Church Bells ringing on Sunday Morning and waking you up.
Surely we don't want to become a backwater

[Psyber]

I had to drive around the blocked off roads at Stirling today to get to Stirling Hospital for something, which was a minor nuisance.
Yesterday, if I hadn't expected the behaviour, I could have been mown down twice at the pedestrian crossing opposite Stirling Mall.
First, were two cyclists who charged through against the red light, and 20 minutes later a group of 5 did the same, nearly getting an elderly lady who had stepped of the footpath when she got the green WALK sign.
She hadn't anticipated cyclist aggression..

[Wedgie]

If they wear lycra and they're not pushing for the Olympics they're complete tools. Some of the people riding bikes out of necessity are the better riders and use similar road sense to what I did as a kid.
I love it when I drive to work everyday when there's a safe bicycle land built away from the road but they continue to use the road, usually taking up a whole lane and complain at any buses who go close to them trying to get around these peanuts. (Anzac Hwy onto West Tce)
As a kid and a teenager I rode a bike everywhere and I showed more respect for others and common sense than any of these lycra crad peanuts ever do, I'd ride virtually in the gutter if on a main road, if I approached a park car I'd look behind me and see what was coming and sometimes slow down to wait for traffic to go past, I'd use bicycle lanes if they were there, I'd use alternate routes to main roads if no significant delays would be incurred, I'd abide by traffic lights and whenever I rode with mates I'd ride either behind them or in front of them so motorists could share the lane with us comfortably.

[Thiele]

The Cyclist that i saw today were in a bunch and had police at the front and at the back.

[Psyber]

The Cyclist that i saw today were in a bunch and had police at the front and at the back.

Seems appropriate for the Lycra set - all such should be treated thus, with constant surveillance..
Like Wedgie, in my cycling days I behaved with more caution, courtesy, and constraint.
Perhaps Lycra should be banned for its antisocial effects...

[Pseudo]

The Cyclist that i saw today were in a bunch and had police at the front and at the back.

Hopefully being escorted to the station...

[dedja]

I hope everyone is enjoying the bike bashing

Reality shows that dicks on the road aren't confined to lycra ... Yes there are some idiots out there but the odds are stacked against the cyclist on the road. When I'm on my road bike ( yes, Lycra and all) it can be Russian Roulette sometimes.

Cyclists should be treated no better or worse than any other road user, but they will always come off far worse for wear in any collision ... because of this I am careful of when and where I ride. I don't go up the Gorge because it's just too unsafe on the narrow and tight road.

It's a great way to keep fit with low impact to chronic knees like I have.

So please be nice to me in your metal battle rams!

[tipper]

i just find it funny that whenever this topic comes up (and i am in no way implying anything about the good posters of this site) that both "sides" of the arguement (cars and bikes) admit that there are individuals within both groups that do the wrong\stupid\dangerous thing, and yet "i always do the right thing\obey traffic signals\give cyclists room etc. no one is willing to admit that they run the red on their bike, or cut cyclists off in their car. it is obviously only the car drivers and bike riders that dont comment on the net that are doing the wrong thing is the key to good manners on the road an internet connection??

[dedja]

i just find it funny that whenever this topic comes up (and i am in no way implying anything about the good posters of this site) that both "sides" of the arguement (cars and bikes) admit that there are individuals within both groups that do the wrong\stupid\dangerous thing, and yet "i always do the right thing\obey traffic signals\give cyclists room etc. no one is willing to admit that they run the red on their bike, or cut cyclists off in their car. it is obviously only the car drivers and bike riders that dont comment on the net that are doing the wrong thing is the key to good manners on the road an internet connection??

LOL, the true answer at last!

[Psyber]

All joking aside, I agree that most cyclists behave appropriately and with consideration on the road, as do most motorists.
It is the militant few that cause the problems, and the transgressors from both groups should be dealt with by the law, not allowed to go on doing it.
But I do think ignoring red lights is more common among cyclists...

[dedja]

But I do think ignoring red lights is more common among cyclists...

Yes it is because it's easier to do ... just like pedestrians.

[Psyber]

But I do think ignoring red lights is more common among cyclists...

Yes it is because it's easier to do ... just like pedestrians.

Fair point - it's even more common among pedestrians!

[Cambridge Clarrie]

If they wear lycra and they're not pushing for the Olympics they're complete tools. Some of the people riding bikes out of necessity are the better riders and use similar road sense to what I did as a kid.
I love it when I drive to work everyday when there's a safe bicycle land built away from the road but they continue to use the road, usually taking up a whole lane and complain at any buses who go close to them trying to get around these peanuts. (Anzac Hwy onto West Tce)
As a kid and a teenager I rode a bike everywhere and I showed more respect for others and common sense than any of these lycra crad peanuts ever do, I'd ride virtually in the gutter if on a main road, if I approached a park car I'd look behind me and see what was coming and sometimes slow down to wait for traffic to go past, I'd use bicycle lanes if they were there, I'd use alternate routes to main roads if no significant delays would be incurred, I'd abide by traffic lights and whenever I rode with mates I'd ride either behind them or in front of them so motorists could share the lane with us comfortably.

I'm with you on this one...

I know it's a generalisation, but cyclists of the lycra wearing variety really do believe that road rules don't apply to them. Not only are they dangerous, they're also visually offensive... Nothing worse than some overweight 40 year old in lycra. The words peanuts and condom spring to mind...

[fish]

But I do think ignoring red lights is more common among cyclists...

Yes it is because it's easier to do ... just like pedestrians.

A motor vehicle running a red light has far greater potential for a serious collision than a cyclist or a pedestrian.