Cyclist killed

[RaeTrewBrowne]

the guy's name was Tony, it was a 18 wheeler truck. wasn't a pretty site his arms etc where separated from his body. Truck didn't realise he hit someone, he only stopped a few 100 meters down the road!

 

RIP

[Caerus]

A few years ago I was climbing Krugersdorp hill on a Friday afternoon (a week before Argus). The cyclist behind me (+- 50m) was hit by a car and killed. The cops called me 2 weeks later to ask if I knew the guy and said no one had come forward to claim the body !!!!!!

 

So folks please do cycle with ID and medical aid details on you ! Also dont cycle on Friday afternoons a lot of people go for a few beers after work in the afternoon's including myself

 

 

I hope you dont drive after those "few beers"

[RaeTrewBrowne]

I hope you dont drive after those "few beers"

 

i think he rides hi sbike

[The Drongo]

A cyclist was killed this morning in East london. 630am,bright sunshine in the midle of town on a 4 lane road. WTF is going on?

 

Rest in peace

 

Steven69

 

Let me go out on a limb here.

 

Are you casting blame here, making a statement, or asking a question?

Of late, a number of cyclist have been killed, a very sad thing yes - yet the majority of the blame is laid at the door of the 'motorist' - [the majority of us here being motorists as well as cyclists.]

Now I do not argue with the fact that motorists in South Africa are in the large part appalling, growing worse as one moves South of Gauteng!

Now take that motorist, place him on a bicycle, on a road - and what? Do we then expect the attitude displayed as a motorist to now change?

 

Well it doesn't, the only difference being that instead of that motorist being surrounded by his bullet proof, bomb proof, disater proof cocoon of steel, all he now has is 430g of carbon fibre between his legs, 12g of fibreglass and foam between his ears, and a piss-poor road attitude.

That is a recipe for disaster - as we have seen.

 

This morning, at 05h30, whilst DRIVING to the MTB park, we passed 3 groups of cyclists.

 

The first individual was a foot from the road edge, had flashy lights, and held his line. He acknowledged our approach from behind by glancing to the right.(he was also riding a MTB !?)

 

The second group was a 'father/son?' group. The son [younger rider] in the lead, had a weak flashing light below his saddle, and dark kit.He held his line, at least 1,2m into the lane.

The father [older cyclist] had no lights (a white T-shirt), could not hold a straight line if it was an escalator rail, and did this in the middle of our lane.

NEITHER one acknowledged our approach with any form of body english whatsoever.

 

The third group [of two] on a bussier stretch with cars moving in both directions, appeared to be 'professional', judging by the matching kit. Again the lead cyclist had a visible flashing red light below his saddle, his partner behind had one of those useless KNOG lights with a tired battery. Static.

Neither acknowledged our approach, or the fact that a vehicle was approaching from the front, so that we were unable to swing out. The rear cyclist actually changed line as we approached, to draft 1m into the lane behind/besides his partner.

 

Now any motorist, no matter how good, has to contend with ambient factors that he can do little about. Low light, dirt splashed onto the windshield, approaching headlights, vehicles in front that he can't see through or around, blind rises and corners, etc.

Throw in the factors he can change but doesn't: changing radio stations, drinking coffee, Blackberrys.

At a speed of even 60km an hour, he is going to be ontop of a 30km cyclist quicker than either of them can blink.

 

We have 5 senses. Any activity that requires your undivided attention, your complete concentration, in order to come out of it alive requires that you use all of those senses.

1. Sight - look sharp, look ahead, anticipate, slow down if dazzled by lights.

2. Hearing - accept that cars will approach, listen for them, judge their speed and position, act accordingly. Leave the iPod at home.

3. Touch - be in touch with your bike and the surroundings so that you can change direction / move to safety swiftly.

4. Taste - when you start to taste more carbon monoxide than country air, liven up and look sharp.

5. Smell - fear has different odours, respond accordingly.

 

If you 'go into a zone' (tunnel vision) and have Def Leppard in your ears, then you have already lost two of the senses, that along with the other three, adds up to 6

 

The first group, that needs to alter their attitudes, is the motorists who are cyclist. Be the bigger person, you know what it is like to ride, and the associated factors you need to deal with. React to these accordingly whether you are riding or cycling. Forget the 'it is my right to be here and my right of way' mentality, it might be the Big Boy attitude, but that argument will fall FLAT, sure as not.

 

The second group, the non cyclist, will not alter their attitude to cyclist unless we tow the line, and display a better attitude. It is not about rights, more than about practicality - the right to ride on the road does not allow for the motorist, who rounds a blind corner, at 80kmph an hour to find three cyclists abreast at 20kmph chatting about Paris Hilton or brake cables.

It pisses me off as a cycling motorist when some nubbin alters his line by 1m just as I have committed to moving past him, 1.5 m away. That then leaves us both only .5m margin. Who's fault is that?

 

Acknowledge this, if you go out on the road today, and leave your brains behind at home, they are going to be the only things that they don't scrape off the tarmac . If you EXPECT drivers to avoid you, and take NO action to avoid conflict with 2 tons or more of steel, don't expect a picnic.

 

WTF is going on is that we do not leave the WTF attitude at home, and take our brains with on the picnic.

 

Peace out.

 

Edit: I also forgot to mention that some idiots also drink-n-drive, no names mentioned seekers911.

Edited March 10, 2011 by The Drongo

[Santa C]

Sad news!!

Anyone got the amount of deaths that occur to cyclists on SA's roads???

[The Drongo]

Sad news!!

Anyone got the amount of deaths that occur to cyclists on SA's roads???

 

What difference does it make dude??

 

What about pedestrians? Mothers? Wives and children? Grannies, black, white or otherwise. One is too many.

That attitude is one adopted by Governments who are taken to task, and people who drive badly.

 

"Oh, we will do something about that stretch of road, but only when the death toll raches 432 and 1 half."

"Oh, it doesn't worry me, because i am a better driver than most, and it will never happen to me."

 

FFSWU!!

['Dale]

Transition safely, rider.

Tenderness to the loved ones

[Jono Waddell]

Its so sad, these threads are started weekly here on the hub. The situation is bad, and in reality it is not going to change anytime soon. I have started to become very wary of my road rides, and to be honest i have started to consider giving it up all together for the MTB.

[Seeker911]

I hope you dont drive after those "few beers"

 

I work for the largest beer manufacturer in the country. I am a stalwart when it comes to supporting the companies various "Dont drink and drive" and other alcohol awareness campaigns. Need I say anymore ?

[RodTi]

Steven69

 

Let me go out on a limb here.

 

Are you casting blame here, making a statement, or asking a question?

Of late, a number of cyclist have been killed, a very sad thing yes - yet the majority of the blame is laid at the door of the 'motorist' - [the majority of us here being motorists as well as cyclists.]

Now I do not argue with the fact that motorists in South Africa are in the large part appalling, growing worse as one moves South of Gauteng!

Now take that motorist, place him on a bicycle, on a road - and what? Do we then expect the attitude displayed as a motorist to now change?

 

Well it doesn't, the only difference being that instead of that motorist being surrounded by his bullet proof, bomb proof, disater proof cocoon of steel, all he now has is 430g of carbon fibre between his legs, 12g of fibreglass and foam between his ears, and a piss-poor road attitude.

That is a recipe for disaster - as we have seen.

 

This morning, at 05h30, whilst DRIVING to the MTB park, we passed 3 groups of cyclists.

 

The first individual was a foot from the road edge, had flashy lights, and held his line. He acknowledged our approach from behind by glancing to the right.(he was also riding a MTB !?)

 

The second group was a 'father/son?' group. The son [younger rider] in the lead, had a weak flashing light below his saddle, and dark kit.He held his line, at least 1,2m into the lane.

The father [older cyclist] had no lights (a white T-shirt), could not hold a straight line if it was an escalator rail, and did this in the middle of our lane.

NEITHER one acknowledged our approach with any form of body english whatsoever.

 

The third group [of two] on a bussier stretch with cars moving in both directions, appeared to be 'professional', judging by the matching kit. Again the lead cyclist had a visible flashing red light below his saddle, his partner behind had one of those useless KNOG lights with a tired battery. Static.

Neither acknowledged our approach, or the fact that a vehicle was approaching from the front, so that we were unable to swing out. The rear cyclist actually changed line as we approached, to draft 1m into the lane behind/besides his partner.

 

Now any motorist, no matter how good, has to contend with ambient factors that he can do little about. Low light, dirt splashed onto the windshield, approaching headlights, vehicles in front that he can't see through or around, blind rises and corners, etc.

Throw in the factors he can change but doesn't: changing radio stations, drinking coffee, Blackberrys.

At a speed of even 60km an hour, he is going to be ontop of a 30km cyclist quicker than either of them can blink.

 

We have 5 senses. Any activity that requires your undivided attention, your complete concentration, in order to come out of it alive requires that you use all of those senses.

1. Sight - look sharp, look ahead, anticipate, slow down if dazzled by lights.

2. Hearing - accept that cars will approach, listen for them, judge their speed and position, act accordingly. Leave the iPod at home.

3. Touch - be in touch with your bike and the surroundings so that you can change direction / move to safety swiftly.

4. Taste - when you start to taste more carbon monoxide than country air, liven up and look sharp.

5. Smell - fear has different odours, respond accordingly.

 

If you 'go into a zone' (tunnel vision) and have Def Leppard in your ears, then you have already lost two of the senses, that along with the other three, adds up to 6

 

The first group, that needs to alter their attitudes, is the motorists who are cyclist. Be the bigger person, you know what it is like to ride, and the associated factors you need to deal with. React to these accordingly whether you are riding or cycling. Forget the 'it is my right to be here and my right of way' mentality, it might be the Big Boy attitude, but that argument will fall FLAT, sure as not.

 

The second group, the non cyclist, will not alter their attitude to cyclist unless we tow the line, and display a better attitude. It is not about rights, more than about practicality - the right to ride on the road does not allow for the motorist, who rounds a blind corner, at 80kmph an hour to find three cyclists abreast at 20kmph chatting about Paris Hilton or brake cables.

It pisses me off as a cycling motorist when some nubbin alters his line by 1m just as I have committed to moving past him, 1.5 m away. That then leaves us both only .5m margin. Who's fault is that?

 

Acknowledge this, if you go out on the road today, and leave your brains behind at home, they are going to be the only things that they don't scrape off the tarmac . If you EXPECT drivers to avoid you, and take NO action to avoid conflict with 2 tons or more of steel, don't expect a picnic.

 

WTF is going on is that we do not leave the WTF attitude at home, and take our brains with on the picnic.

 

Peace out.

 

Edit: I also forgot to mention that some idiots also drink-n-drive, no names mentioned seekers911.

 

[Hi-jack on]

 

I certainly doff my hat in the direction of your general sentiments... Thanks for taking the time to share them.

 

Heard Maytham on CapeTalk mention stats of 4000 cyclists per year? No idea how accurate this is - but shocking nonetheless...

 

Have a mate returning to South Africa after some years in Mauritius, where he became seriously involved in road cycling... I've already suggested he swops his roadie for some mud - simply not worth the risks on our roads!

 

[Hi-jack off]

 

 

Condolences to the family. One cyclist killed is one too many.

[Starvin' Marvin]

Steven69

 

Let me go out on a limb here.

 

Are you casting blame here, making a statement, or asking a question?

Of late, a number of cyclist have been killed, a very sad thing yes - yet the majority of the blame is laid at the door of the 'motorist' - [the majority of us here being motorists as well as cyclists.]

Now I do not argue with the fact that motorists in South Africa are in the large part appalling, growing worse as one moves South of Gauteng!

Now take that motorist, place him on a bicycle, on a road - and what? Do we then expect the attitude displayed as a motorist to now change?

 

Well it doesn't, the only difference being that instead of that motorist being surrounded by his bullet proof, bomb proof, disater proof cocoon of steel, all he now has is 430g of carbon fibre between his legs, 12g of fibreglass and foam between his ears, and a piss-poor road attitude.

That is a recipe for disaster - as we have seen.

 

This morning, at 05h30, whilst DRIVING to the MTB park, we passed 3 groups of cyclists.

 

The first individual was a foot from the road edge, had flashy lights, and held his line. He acknowledged our approach from behind by glancing to the right.(he was also riding a MTB !?)

 

The second group was a 'father/son?' group. The son [younger rider] in the lead, had a weak flashing light below his saddle, and dark kit.He held his line, at least 1,2m into the lane.

The father [older cyclist] had no lights (a white T-shirt), could not hold a straight line if it was an escalator rail, and did this in the middle of our lane.

NEITHER one acknowledged our approach with any form of body english whatsoever.

 

The third group [of two] on a bussier stretch with cars moving in both directions, appeared to be 'professional', judging by the matching kit. Again the lead cyclist had a visible flashing red light below his saddle, his partner behind had one of those useless KNOG lights with a tired battery. Static.

Neither acknowledged our approach, or the fact that a vehicle was approaching from the front, so that we were unable to swing out. The rear cyclist actually changed line as we approached, to draft 1m into the lane behind/besides his partner.

 

Now any motorist, no matter how good, has to contend with ambient factors that he can do little about. Low light, dirt splashed onto the windshield, approaching headlights, vehicles in front that he can't see through or around, blind rises and corners, etc.

Throw in the factors he can change but doesn't: changing radio stations, drinking coffee, Blackberrys.

At a speed of even 60km an hour, he is going to be ontop of a 30km cyclist quicker than either of them can blink.

 

We have 5 senses. Any activity that requires your undivided attention, your complete concentration, in order to come out of it alive requires that you use all of those senses.

1. Sight - look sharp, look ahead, anticipate, slow down if dazzled by lights.

2. Hearing - accept that cars will approach, listen for them, judge their speed and position, act accordingly. Leave the iPod at home.

3. Touch - be in touch with your bike and the surroundings so that you can change direction / move to safety swiftly.

4. Taste - when you start to taste more carbon monoxide than country air, liven up and look sharp.

5. Smell - fear has different odours, respond accordingly.

 

If you 'go into a zone' (tunnel vision) and have Def Leppard in your ears, then you have already lost two of the senses, that along with the other three, adds up to 6

 

The first group, that needs to alter their attitudes, is the motorists who are cyclist. Be the bigger person, you know what it is like to ride, and the associated factors you need to deal with. React to these accordingly whether you are riding or cycling. Forget the 'it is my right to be here and my right of way' mentality, it might be the Big Boy attitude, but that argument will fall FLAT, sure as not.

 

The second group, the non cyclist, will not alter their attitude to cyclist unless we tow the line, and display a better attitude. It is not about rights, more than about practicality - the right to ride on the road does not allow for the motorist, who rounds a blind corner, at 80kmph an hour to find three cyclists abreast at 20kmph chatting about Paris Hilton or brake cables.

It pisses me off as a cycling motorist when some nubbin alters his line by 1m just as I have committed to moving past him, 1.5 m away. That then leaves us both only .5m margin. Who's fault is that?

 

Acknowledge this, if you go out on the road today, and leave your brains behind at home, they are going to be the only things that they don't scrape off the tarmac . If you EXPECT drivers to avoid you, and take NO action to avoid conflict with 2 tons or more of steel, don't expect a picnic.

 

WTF is going on is that we do not leave the WTF attitude at home, and take our brains with on the picnic.

 

Peace out.

 

Edit: I also forgot to mention that some idiots also drink-n-drive, no names mentioned seekers911.

 

It was more a question than laying blame.

 

Since joining the hub I've lost count of how many "cyclist killed" threads I've seen.

 

I agree with you on the light situation. I've seen so many guys with piss poor lights. I even stopped a guy once to tell him his lights were basically worthless as they were barely making a difference and he was swathed in black. Well the words that greeted me after that would've made any drunk sailor blush. And that I think is where the problem lies. People have got major chips on their shoulders.

 

And until that attitude changes motorists and cyclists will keep dying in large numbers in SA.

 

I understand that I stand no chance against a car or truck. My bike is lit up like a christmas tree and I wear brightly coloured kit. I keep as far left as possible. I try and hold a steady and predictable line at all times. I stop at red lights and stop streets. 2 mins lost at a red light is far better than losing my life jumping it. And I use hand signals when in town, no sure how many other guys can say that.

 

I just hope the agro SA mentality changes and soon.

[Big G]

Ontdekkers, Roodepoort?

Hi Cerv. Yes Ontdekkers outside Kennis Caravans i believe. According to eye

witnesses the truck went straight over him and he was travelling West, sun behind the truck

and no heavy traffic. It was 6.35 am. Sorry, Driver didnt see him!

Bruce Reynekers son also hit by a truck from behind in the yellow lane at 10 am!!

One Wonders!!!!!!!

And as someone said, be vigilant and carry some form of I D. Be safe out there.

Our condolences to the Amos family may God give you strength during this every trying time.

Edited March 11, 2011 by Big G

[pastapouch]

Hi Cerv. Yes Ontdekkers outside Kennis Caravans i believe. According to eye

witnesses the truck went straight over him and he was travelling West, sun behind the truck

and no heavy traffic. It was 6.35 am. Sorry, Driver didnt see him!

Bruce Reynekers son also hit by a truck from behind in the yellow lane at 10 am!!

One Wonders!!!!!!!

And as someone said, be vigilant and carry some form of I D. Be safe out there.

Our condolences to the Amos family may God give you strength during this every trying time.

Ok, time to seriously take people on who didn't see? Then their licences should be revoked.

thats reallyt close to home... SAD. But there is an additional lane there or did it happen once the road becomes two lanes?