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So just in time for Friday... This morning heading to work from Dunkeld to Bryanston on Willam Nicol, I notice all the roadies out doing their morning ride. At many of the red robots I see many of them either do slow-n-go (slow down slightly, quickly check the intersection, then sprint across), or just a plain out sailing through without a care in the world. But this thread isn't about that. We've had many before about the red light lemmings. THIS thread is particularly about the couple on the TANDEM I saw going through the red lights (mostly using the slow-n-go) method. Wipe yourself out on your own bike... fine (not actually fine, you get what I'm saying though), but dragging someone (probably your wife/girfriend) along for the ride?! Not cool. Here are some major flaws I see with a tandem trying this already foolish practice... Bigger target! You're bigger than a bike. In fact side-on a tandem is nearly the same size as a small hatch. I wouldn't dare skip red lights in a polo.Braking. You can't brake as well as a normal bike. So if a car does enter that intersection that you deemed safe in your 1/2 sec expert assesment... you're pretty much commited to ride it out.Acceleration. During your slow-n-go crossing method, if you need to suddenly speed up to clear the intersection, once again, you won't be able to do so as well as a normal bike.Assisted Suicide... and finally, my biggest issue is that you (the conductor) are taking a passenger on this runaway train to potential disaster. Whether the stoker is running reds against their will or not, it's up to the frontman to think of the safety of both riders.So fire-away-friday! http://oi39.tinypic.com/3130ht4.jpg

I saw a tweet this morning re BMW connected drive and the fact that you can check Twitter and Facebook from the screen.. Not sure of the details, or if you need to be stationary to be able to open and update via the system, but it just seems crazy.. motorist on their cellphones are causing more and more accidents, now they are bringing the tech into cars, which is a bigger distraction..?

Laserlight, the bright idea of a student behind a lifesaver for cyclists Emily Brooke has created a virtual cyclist, seen by drivers if there is a rider in their blind spot – with 3,000 sold at £125 each The Guardian, Sunday 24 August 2014 14.52 BST http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2014/8/24/1408886739524/Blaze-Laserlight-in-actio-008.jpg Blaze's Laserlight projects a green image of a bike on to the ground 5 metres in front of the cyclist, alerting drivers and pedestrians to their presence The moment of clarity for cyclist Emily Brooke was less like an apple falling on her head and more like the prospect of a white van slamming into her. Like many bicycle users before her, she realised that if the vehicle beside her on the road turned left, she would be squashed as she was in the driver's blind spot. "I thought that if I was just 5 metres ahead, I would be safe – I wished I had a virtual me just 5 metres ahead, if I could just project myself there," the 28-year-old said. About three years later, the designer has sold more than 3,000 Laserlight units from her company Blaze. Aimed at nighttime cyclists – 50% of urban bicycle commuting is during the evening or night – the aluminium device combines a light and a laser which projects a green image of a bike onto the ground 5 metres in front of the cyclist. It attempts to make drivers, who may not see the bike in their blind spot, aware of their presence, especially at night. It also alerts pedestrians about to cross the road. Brooke got the idea while studying product design in her final year at the University of Brighton and looking at what the challenges were for urban cyclists. "There is one statistic which stuck in my mind and that is that 79% of bikes that are hit are going straight ahead and a vehicle turns into them," she said. Another common collision, dubbed a Smidsy for "sorry mate I didn't see you", is when a driver comes out of a junction. Brooke wanted to tackle what she saw as being the biggest challenge for city cyclists. After dismissing other ideas, like creating a full hologram of herself, came upon the idea of projecting an image on to the ground to alert drivers. Having left university, she created a prototype and was among the first tranche of companies to get the benefit of the wave of publicity that came with the advent of Kickstarter, gathering £25,000 in investment in five days and proving there was demand for the product. "Naysayers are people who have not seen it. I completely agree with them, it sounds completely wacky. But when you see it in practice, it is a passive green bike, passively travelling on the road in front of you," she said. "It is the symbol of a bike clearly attached to a moving object moving along the ground in one direction, you see it and you orientate to 'where is the bike'. If it doesn't make sense when you first see it, you see it once [more] and then it makes sense." Laserlights were shipped to preorders in January this year. Priced at £125, the light comes with a bracket to attach it to handlebars, is waterproof and the internally sealed battery is charged via a USB cable. The laser, assembled in Shenzhen in China, can only be used when attached to the bike. Both laser and light can be used at the same time, either flashing or in a constant beam. The green light is visible during the day but not effective, says Brooke, and is really aimed for night use when "you can't miss it". The bicycle symbol - instead of branding or writing - was chosen to ensure it was universally recognised. Although her first use of the new device resulted in protests from a van driver, she claims reactions from drivers have been positive since and rejects suggestions that the device may be seen as a gimmick or unnecessary. "This started from a problem first. It started from six months of a problem before I even had an idea. I looked at tracking devices – a light that lights up the rider, that you have a head torch in your face – all sorts of concepts, but it was six months of understanding the problem before I came to the solution," she said. The relatively high price is as a result of the quality of the parts used, she says. The company has just completed preorders and will now sell Laserlights through Evans Cycles shops in the UK as well as through its own website. Demand from the US – especially in cities such as San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Chicago – now accounts for half of sales, surpassing the UK. Purchases from renowned cycle-friendly cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam have highlighted different concerns for cyclists, said Brooke. "For us it is personal safety and large vehicles. For them it is pedestrians stepping out in front of a bike and the Laserlight tackles that really well. Someone will see that symbol coming before they see me. It is enough for them to go 'Whoa, what is that' and hesitate on the pavement," she said. The company has raised £500,000 in investment so far from, among others, Richard Branson's family and Index Ventures. Another round of investment, for £1m, is being finalised. Blaze now has six employees, including Brooke, and would be in profit but for investment in future products, she says, one of which will be a new type of rear light, expanding on her vision to become the company that caters for the urban cyclist. http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/aug/24/laserlight-lifesaver-cyclists-emily-brooke

New radar device makes cycling safer August 6 2014 at 09:15am By Murray Williams Comment on this story http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/iol-mot-cycling-radar-1.1731165!/image/1781875817.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_300/1781875817.jpg Independent Newspapers Vulnerable position: Reporter Murray Williams negotiates the chaos of Malta Road between Salt River and Observatory. Picture: Henk Kruger. Cape Town - A revolutionary new bicycle safety device has been launched, which uses radar to warn cyclists about cars approaching from behind. Backtracker improves cyclists’ visibility and awareness of what’s happening behind them on the road. South African specialists in radar and computer-vision and cycling enthusiasts Ikubu have been creating prototypes for Backtracker since 2010. “We believe our device will bring much-needed confidence back to a sport too frequently compromised by fear of unaware motorists. Backtracker is a type of sixth sense that helps cyclists to see what they ordinarily cannot,” iKubu managing director Franz Struwig said. “Backtracker consists of two small, lightweight units which detect and interpret the speed and acceleration of rear-approaching vehicles at a distance of up to 140m,” he said. “The handlebar-mounted front unit indicates your potential safety risk using a simple peripheral vision range indicator. The intelligent backlight alerts motorists to your position via increasingly frequent light pulses.” Backtracker’s radar technology is particularly valuable when cycling in low-visibility conditions such as fog and rain, dusk and dawn. http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/copy-of-ca-p6-franz-struwig-done-1.1731166!/image/1012812187.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_300/1012812187.jpg Sixth sense: Radar expert Franz Struwig demonstrates the innovative, potentially lifesaving radar for bicycles. Picture: Murray Williams. Independent Newspapers “Also, it’s functionality is not affected by the proximity of other cyclists, which is useful when training in pelotons or on family cycling excursions,” Struwig said. The Cape Argus visited the company with Ernst van Dyk, winner of multiple Paralympics and World Championship medals and major international marathons, including a record 10 wheelchair-racing titles at the prestigious Boston Marathon. Van Dyk happily endorsed the life-saving product, testing it on the back of his racing wheelchair. Struwig said: “The idea for Backtracker was born through a chance meeting with an elderly cyclist, who had resorted to riding in the face of oncoming traffic, for fear of motorists behind him. It inspired us to create a safety product that could bring confidence back into every ride.” From there, the idea started taking shape through many hours of discussion and preliminary sketches, followed by a hand-built prototype which put the thinking to the test. High- frequency antennas were developed several months later before a more refined second prototype was built. This was, then miniaturised to ensure the components were as lightweight and small as possible, making it ideal for even serious cyclists. Safety-conscious road cyclists will be able to order the device via Dragon Innovation, a platform that has helped to launch other crowd-funded success stories such as the Pebble smartwatch and Hammerhead navigation system. Backtracker’s success relies on about 1000 supporters financially backing the product before it can make it past prototyping and on to handlebars. The device will be available in variously priced packages, including an early-bird special of about R1590, while the standard Backtracker price will be around R2125. SAFETY TIPS FOR CYCLISTS - Use pedal cycle lanes where these are available. - Keep as close as possible to the left edge of the roadway. - Obey traffic signs and signals. - Ride with, not against traffic. - Watch out for car doors opening in your path. - Wear brightly coloured clothing in the daytime, and reflective clothing at night. - Fit and use effective front and rear lights when riding in hours of darkness and when visibility is limited. - Use hand signals when turning or changing lanes. - Be aware of hazardous road conditions. - Be aware of other road users, especially at intersections. - Ride in a straight line. - Wear a helmet that fits properly. - Never ride with headphones. FOR DRIVERS - Yield to cyclists, especially at intersections. - Leave a distance between the motor vehicle and the cyclist of at least 1m. - Check your blind spots and look before opening the car door. - Do not drive, stop or park in a bicycle lane. Source: Safely Home Campaign http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/bikes-quads-karts/new-radar-device-makes-cycling-safer-1.1731167#.U-Hfl_oaKUk

With the growing epidemic of bike-jackings and assaults on cyclist the consensus seems to be to ride in groups to deter these happenings. Other than the hub and friends how does one know of rides in your particular area? I have been looking into some social event sharing apps like Meetup or Joinin where one can list their cycle routine/event and others can find it by location, but these don't seem to work terribly well, or they need to be paid for. Are there other alternatives out there? Some sort of community forum/location based app/site that will work? Where one can list their preferred cycling days, times, distance and area and it will hook them up with other cyclists with similar criteria in the area. As stated I have tested the Joinin website and app and it works, but requires some tweaking as it isn't really designed for this application, and the map/address section is not very accurate, but at this stage it is the best that I can find.

OK so Sunday was just absolutely beautiful weather in Stellenbosch, so I decided to take a morning ride out to Betties. This most scenic route past Rooiels is awe inspiring. I've cycled here for many years, and it always takes my breath away. So there I was, enjoying the ride, when out of nowhere a car screamed past me! The mirror literally touched my slieve - almost took my head off! WTF!! I wanted to chase it down and bite on its tires! But alas...the steep ascent onto the hill before Betties quickly killed my resolve. But truth be told, I didn't hear it coming. It is a frightful experience. That road is so narrow, that if you lose your concentration for a second it can be tickets. I also think motorists are sight seeing on this route, so they aren't so aware of cyclists. What can we do to proactively address this problem? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Hi everybody I'm looking to lengthen my commute some days from Sea Point to the city and go on the mtb via table mountain. Ideally i'm thinking of cycling thru clifton to camps bay and then climbing up to signal hill/lions head via kloof (unless there is an offroad trail?) and then up to table mountain to do part of the goat and entering the city via vredehoek. On the way home i was hoping to do the reverse with perhaps a way down into sea point thru a trail on lions head. Although i cant find this on any of the maps just the bo kaap trails. I can't make the newbie rides on the tablemountainbikers website so i was hoping to get some advice here. Firstly is it relatively safe? I'll be riding between 6am-7am / 6pm-7pm when its currently dark. I have a light but i'm more concerned about crime. I know there is always a risk but am what i doing high risk or medium/low risk as there'll be others on the route at this time. Does anyone else do this or a similar commute that i can join? Secondly i'm happy to get a permit. Seems to be a debatable issue on here and i'm guessing sanparks wont be policing at these times (or else i wouldn't have to worry about crime) but i'm happy to get one. I'm assuming its just a lvl 3 activity card? Lastly any tips about learning which way to go or anything i've missed? I was planning on doing a dry run this sunday mid morning with a printed map to find my way. thanks

Hi There This morning I cycled the Engen Classic loop in Randburg, the loop the most of the jozy guys do in the mornings. So, this guy was standing in the middle of the road, trying to make me stop by showing his reflective vest underneath his jacket. I managed to get around him but should have turned around. He was either drunk or high but did not stick around to find out. It happened in front of the Caltex garage on Bram Fischer Dr., 300 meters before the DSTV offices. There is also a used car dealership on the other side. Anybody else ran into this guy ? Just be aware guys and girls Narra

I'm a cyclist who joined this site with a confession to make. I run red robots. Not just at night, not just when I'm in a hurry, but as a matter of course. Today a friend cycling behind me commented at how upset a carful of people got when I crossed halfway across Buitengracht over a red (as if I was a pedestrian) because there was a left arrow and therefore I was not crossing anyone's legitimate path. This gave me some food for thought, so I've decided to consciously re-evaluate my attitude and spent a couple of hours on the net. Mostly I'm not a culprit of the other cycling bugbears - I always ride single file, with traffic not against, and I don't ride on pavements. But red light jumping by cyclists is a topic that evokes extremely passionate feelings in people, even here in this country where babies are raped regularly. Why is this? I've asked a lot of people, both motorists and law-abiding cyclists, why they get so upset and the most common reply is along the lines of "it's the law", "cyclists must respect the rules if we are to respect them", "red light jumpers give cyclists a bad name" and "cyclists are arrogant and think they're above the law". But strangely, people don't argue that what the red-light-jumper is doing is dangerous. The consensus seems to be that these cyclists are very careful to cross only when it's safe. That would make sense as most cyclists are aware of their vulnerability and are conscious that a bump from cross-traffic at that intersection would probably be fatal. But almost never could a cyclist cause an accident that would hurt anyone other than him or herself. Strangely also, people don't argue that what the cyclist is doing is inconveniencing anyone. When the cyclist jumps the robot, no one has to wait for them or move out of their way. So why does everyone care so deeply about this issue? My guess is that drivers get annoyed at having to share the road with slower-moving vehicles and point fingers at the law-breaking to justify their indignation. But daily I see drivers on their cellphones, cutting people off, drunk driving, speeding, joking about unpaid fines and even warning others about speed traps and roadblocks on Facebook as if speeding and drunken driving, which kills thousands, is a completely legitimate behaviour. Cyclists are almost incapable of speeding or killing anyone other than themselves. They are doing their bit to reduce congestion and pollution. What reason do drivers have to hate them other than their own impatience and self-righteousness? I would argue, in fact, that red light jumping by cyclists promotes both safety AND the convenience of other road users. France has recently passed a law that allows cyclists to turn right on red (the equivalent of turning left in South Africa). A study done in London showed that female cyclists are more likely to be killed than male cyclists, and states that this may be because they are also more likely to obey red lights, and then collide with vehicles pulling away from the lights: http://www.rudi.net/node/16395 It's rather obvious when you think about it - a stable, moving cyclist behaving in a predictable way in front of you is safer than a cyclist taking off in their wobbly way, amongst three or four lanes of cars doing the same thing. Besides, what driver really wants to share that "go" moment at the robots with cyclists? Do they not realise that having the queue by the robot free from cyclists can only make it more convenient for them? I would really like someone to give me a sensible reason for stopping at the red light. I'm not one who follows the law blindly. If a law is stupid I relish in breaking it. So simply saying that it is against the law is not enough to persuade me to do something. However I'm well aware of the passionate hatred towards cyclists because of this - as irresponsible, unreasonable, misplaced, exaggerated, and downright spiteful as it may be. I still intend to turn left on red. I still intend to go straight at a red with a side street to the right. But as a result of my mini-research mission, I've decided to show some willing and start to stop at red lights whenever my path crosses a lane of traffic that has a green. I'd like to hear some rational debate, or what everyone thinks about my attitude. For once I'd really like to hear people avoid suggesting running the offending cyclist down, opening the car door as he passes or slamming on brakes when he's behind you. If I have one take-home message: it's not an offence worth murdering someone over.

Hi, I am looking out for riders that want to meet at the Lower Gate of Rhodes Memorial and go for a quickish ride over Plum Pudding, either way. The idea is to ride as a group sometime between 12:30 and 13:30 for safety reasons and for riding in the light of day. Thanks Phill

So I've been reading week after week about cyclists getting attacked on the road and on the trail, and while its not always feasible, it seems the best thing is to ride in larger groups. Some people carry pepper spray and I was thinking about doing the same, but before I go out and buy a can, can anybody here comment on its effectiveness? I mean if someone attacks you on the trail, its unlikely they are going to just slowly walk up to you, knife-in-hand and give you time. The would most probably jump out of the bushes or knock you off of your bike. Has anybody here successfully chased a would-be mugger with pepper spray before? What was the situation?

Another guy kicked off his bike passing Kyamandi before 7 this morning. He managed to get away after a horrible fall. Watch out. Seems the MO is one guy walks on the left hand side and two on the right hand side of the road. As he approached the 2 guys pretended to cross the road and kicked him off his bike. Rather choose a different route.

Organisers of the 29th edition of The Herald VW Cycle Tour are leaving nothing to chance when it comes to the safety of participants on February 1 and 2. Click here to view the article