Om, just a point to note, I was never in the bike lane, the bike lane was occupied by parked cars as it is almost every day riding along that section.
Whilst some riders may think its OK to ride in the very limited space left, this is also the "Door Zone" and having been doored albeit a very long time ago, its not something I wish to ever have happen to me again. So I always ride away from the Door Zone.
In this case on turning onto Herston Rd the bike lane is a bike lane, you know the type, about as wide as a bike. As it opens up past the next street, the parking of cars begins. Usually there is a Commodore Station Wagon parked first, followed by more cars, at this point there is no room for a bike and car in the bike lane, so you need to go into the "road" lane to avoid the Door Zone. At this point you can choose to stay in the lane outside the Door Zone or take your chances in the Door Zone.
Typically there are hospital staff/visitors parking in these spaces, they may have arrived before you've seen them park and not yet alighted from their vehicle, you can never assume a door is not going to open. I've seen a few people nearly doored or if not when taking evasive action nealy hit from behind along here.
So going up that section of road I am already positioned in the "road" lane when this car was at least 200 metres away. Car drivers can clearly see that and in my case with so many flashing lights and fluoro bits even blind Freddy would see me. Anything else is an just a poor excuse. Not only that, it is a blind crest of sorts, you cannot see if there is approaching traffic, so even if say there was a car reverse parking, you would not just go around without at least slowing to assess the situation.
To assert that bikes should not ride in front of cars because you will get hit is just nonsense. That's just making excuses for poor driving habits/skills. Its akin to saying that it is OK for drivers to do whatever they want without consequence. Hey why not just turn left across a rider, its OK.
The biggest issue out there is the ego issue of drivers. Even tonight whilst approaching Days Rd on KB Rd, I had a driver who obviously just saw a bike and didn't look past the bike to see the stopped traffic. So in trying to accelerate past me and then wanting to cut left across me to turn left (behind 3 or 4m stationary vehicles), he suddenly sees the stopped traffic and realises that if he continues he will rear end a stopped vehicle. So he stops only when I sound my Airhorn and then has the temerity to beep at me as if I was to blame because he tried to do something stupid. If he had just opened his eyes and looked beyond the bike to see the stopped traffic, he would have realised that just sitting behind the bike would get him to a place behind the stopped traffic without issue, but his ego would not allow that.
Ky, I do not post the videos for validation, honestly I do not give a rats what anyone thinks, that why you'll notice I disable comments on Youtube, I'm not interested in what people have to say there or what they think. I post them up here for members to see, for discussion, as far as I am concerned, they make good discussion material. If you're looking to use them as a way of attacking me, don't waste your time. If you or anyone asks a question for clarification, I will as much as I can provide any information requested.
Sometimes I do make a mistake when riding, in fact I had one of those moments earlier this week which if I get around to it I will post up as it will be going in my Powerpoint presentation. I made an assumption which nearly ended up with me under a van, it was only because I was riding the brakes that I slowed down to avoid an incident. It would have been mostly my fault, but the driver was also inattentive to his surroundings as well. So I will try to post it up as it will make good discussion material.
Aaronwray, wise words and my sentiments exactly.
