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Seemingly, in some of our deaths...

Have a read of some of the comments (warning to those easily fired up : wait till you get home).

http://www.news.com.au/comments/0,23600,26067250-421,00.html

Truckie lights fuse on bike rage escalation

September 14, 2009 12:01am

Article from:

• Firecracker thrown into pack of bikes
• None hurt but attack shocks cyclists
• Fears drivers are planning attacks

A TRUCK driver threw a firecracker that exploded into a group of cyclists in the latest case of "bike rage".

The attack has sparked warnings among the cycling community that some motorists are plotting premeditated attacks on cyclists that could cause serious injury or death.

"LOL, these comments are so entertaining. Many car drivers need some education when it comes to cyclists. However the cyclists are mostly to blame. I think they should have rego, and yes, get a discounted car rego because of it. I also think they should do a driving course, as most of them can't drive. Keep out of my way or it's your risk." - Posted by: Driver of Melbourne 9:09am today - Comment 116 of 142"

Quote: Ky

Many car drivers need some education when it comes to cyclists. However the cyclists are mostly to blame. I think they should have rego, and yes, get a discounted car rego because of it. I also think they should do a driving course, as most of them can't drive. Keep out of my way or it's your risk." - Posted by: Driver of Melbourne 9:09am today - Comment 116 of 142"

I noticed today that Hawaii has mandatory bike rego - http://www.honolulu.gov/DTS/bikereg.htm.

Seems to be more about funding bikeways than any sort of visible accountability though.

Quote: X

Quote: OzCableguy

Quote: Ky

Many car drivers need some education when it comes to cyclists. However the cyclists are mostly to blame. I think they should have rego, and yes, get a discounted car rego because of it. I also think they should do a driving course, as most of them can't drive. Keep out of my way or it's your risk." - Posted by: Driver of Melbourne 9:09am today - Comment 116 of 142"

I noticed today that Hawaii has mandatory bike rego - http://www.honolulu.gov/DTS/bikereg.htm.

Seems to be more about funding bikeways than any sort of visible accountability though.

if that meant that I could use the argument "I pay rego so STFU" to a driver, I would happily pay rego on all 7 bikes (adding that I pay rego 7 times over just sweetens the whole argument). I don't care what it funds, since car rego doesn't fund the roads, its about muffling the uneducated moronic arguments.

Ditto. Would be very happy to pay bike rego, even though 90% of my cycling isn't on the road at all. If this in turns buys us a bit more cycling infrastructure, and more importantly, more driver education about how to deal with bikes on the road when they are driving, would be money well spent.

It scares me how many drivers are ignorant, and even moreso - defiant of the road rules when it comes to cyclists.

"they run red lights, so I'll run them off the road" is just such a neandethal mentality.

Im still considering the police badge on the backpack idea. Spoke to a couple of the constabulatory at the QPS Games yesterday, and they agreed Id probably be safer - and depending on the officer who approaches me, they said most would understand and ask you to remove it... till theyre gone.

Motorists just need to pull their heads in and realise that they need to give way to cyclists at all time, and get over it. Stop having a cry about have to slow down and wait to safely pass for 10 seconds, delaying their world record beating time to the next red light.

The attitude that "I pay, Im bigger and I can kill you" will only end up with someone injured/handicapped/dead and someone elses life worth less.

Its amazing riding to work, and getting literally buzzed by cars who dont want to wait that extra moment to get past me - then watch them give 2 coppers on hybrids a lepper-like avoidance...

Its not about safety, or rego, or money, or taxes, or accountability - its just about bad attitudes.

Quote: ozynigma

Do you reckon blue and white checkering on a blue or white helmet would have the same effect and be perfectly legal?

Probs not. Ive seen bike cops cut off in town. People see a bike and aim for it, pure and simple.

HA.. you just lurrve policy real estate Ox.. I admit when I first saw the signs I thought WTF?? then laughed as it was so good. Tags won't do squat for us.. Car drivers still hate motorbikes as well. PLUS, if we / they can't get people to take their helmets off the handle bars and stick em on their heads, how the hell will they enforce this more hated rego debate?? Last wek I had a bloke on a really nice white hybrid catch me up just after storey bridge heading outbound. Caught my wheel at the bottom of that hill up to Shaftston college area. He didn't have it for long as I powered up it. There is some new road works there near the college, it's one way and narrow now. I went down to shaftston footpath and along, he came down the narrow one way, they wrong way, long wavy hair flowing in the breeze, sans helmet and common sense. What can we do? Rego will only make the responsible MORE responsible for the nongs.. /rant

The amazing thing is that by cycling to work you have actually taken a car off the road and reduced traffic for the rest of the car driving public. If 500 blokes do it that's 500 less cars on the road. I'm surprised that this point isn't brought up more often.

My standard reply to these peanuts is 'I'm doing you a favour by riding my bike."

I could be wrong but I think I heard there was a law(s) prohibiting the use of any police like paraphernalia (for want of a better word) by those not in the police force. This is why we can't use blue lights on our cars or walk around in police uniforms for obvious reasons.

I, personally, would love lay onus on the Dept of transport and force them to provide constant education to motorists and road users of ALL types ... including cyclists.

In my mind there should be a constant campaign on TV at least that tells people what the rules are for motorists and cyclists when pertaining to cyclists in particular.

Most of us are rather ignorant of the real facts. Last time I looked it was NOT completely legal to ride 2 abreast as many of you assume. But it IS legal in some circumstances. Same goes for commanding a lane (taking over the lane so no other traffic can pass you), last I looked it was only when you are certain it is in the best interest of your own safety and the safety of those around you that is allowed.

We'll have to go dig through the rules again and remind ourselves. I'll try to find time for that this morning if I can.

I feel that if motorists knew that 2 abreast was legal sometime they would not immediately see red when they see 2 riders riding in this manner. If they understood exactly what the rule stated it might make a difference.

For instance I believe it says something like riders that are riding 2 breast should have the inside rider as close to the left side of the carriageway (road) as safely practical and the second rider must be within a metre of the other rider. Something like. WIll have to check.

Drivers are so against 2 abreast that I often get honked even when I'm out of the lane on the verge. Next to my right is the white line for the side of the road and then a rider in the lane almost on that white line. In others words ... if I wasn't there at all, the other rider would still be riding where they are ... as far left as practical in the lane. Yet the driver sees 2 riders side by side, sees red, and hits the horn! Or worse, cuts across us in some pathetic statement of wrongdoing.

And I blame the lack of education for motorists.

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/General_information/Cycling/Bike_user_guide/Road_rules_for_cyclists/

Some exerpts...

"Under the road rules, bicycles are considered vehicles and as such, people riding bicycles must obey all the general road rules. As a legitimate road user, you have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles."

"Your bicycle must:

• have at least one effective brake
• have a bell in working order."

When riding at night, or in weather conditions with reduced visibility, you must display on your bike or yourself:

• a flashing or steady white light on the front of the bicycle that can be seen for at least 200 m
• a flashing or steady red light on the rear of the bicycle that can be seen for at least 200 m
• a reflector on the rear of the bicycle that can be seen for at least 50 m when a vehicle's headlights shine on it."

"You can:

• ride in bicycle, tram, bus and transit lanes."

"You must:

• maintain a distance of at least 2 m between you and the rear of a motor vehicle when following the motor vehicle for over 200 m."

"You must:

• ride as near as is safely possible to the far left side of the road—on a multi-lane road or a road with two or more lines of traffic travelling in the same direction as you, you can occupy a lane and travel in the right hand lane when necessary (for example, to make a right turn)
• ride to the left of any oncoming vehicle
• not overtake another vehicle on the left if that vehicle is turning left and giving a left change of direction signal
• not ride more than two abreast unless overtaking
• ride within 1.5 m of the other rider if riding two abreast."