Other Road Users

[TNT1]

Screengrab. "Ring" yourself in red. Shot.

 

Dude, can't be. I haven't met the lads at that corner for more than 5 years now.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Dude, can't be. I haven't met the lads at that corner for more than 5 years now.

 

Yeah, ain't that strange, I also used to ride with the "Lido Bunch" regularly from Xumbugs as they were fondly called many years ago, I wouldn't know anyone there now as I also haven't ridden with them for about the same time either.

 

I do however still know the area quite well, as I also run Time Trials up and down the hill at the end of Swartkoppies going up to Southgate occasionally, from the Pizza shop to the quarry turn off - I say occasionally as I think I am just getting too old for that crap now and usually find lots of other things to do when I hear the club is going there to run.

 

In my opinion its one of the busiest roads around and that intersection is packed with cars and trucks 24/7.

[Slowbee]

all off you seem to agree that what we see in the pic is wrong.

 

 

 

So firstly, to the OP, did you mention something to the guys to move over ?

 

 

Secondly, would you other commentators, tell them to move over ? As in actually do something about the situation ?

[TNT1]

all off you seem to agree that what we see in the pic is wrong.

 

 

 

So firstly, to the OP, did you mention something to the guys to move over ?

 

 

Secondly, would you other commentators, tell them to move over ? As in actually do something about the situation ?

 

 

Well, you know me.

 

I have seen cyclists riding recklessly. Once I made a video of them, and sent it to our good buddy Shaun from sign-up. He went all polite and mature and spoke to the club in question's chair-people, and they threatened to donner me.

 

Another time, riding along, I stopped, on my bicycle, at a non-working red light. Another dipsh1t on a bicycle rode into me. I swore, checked damage to my bike, and rode off. His arsehole mate chases after me and tries to pick a fight, not because of the accident, but because I swore, and said "wtf did you ride into me for?" to his bum chum.

 

Like I said, these are the arseholes who get into their cars and run stop streets, red lights, break the speed limit and so on. A duck is a duck, whether on a bike or in a car.

 

I say f*&k em, and if I was there, I'd have spoken up, and taken my beating.

If I was in my truck, I'd have spoken up and driven over a few very expensive bikes when I was abused and threatened.

 

Answer your question?

Edited January 4, 2012 by TNT1

[Slowbee]

Well, you know me.

 

I have seen cyclists riding recklessly. Once I made a video of them, and sent it to our good buddy Shaun from sign-up. He went all polite and mature and spoke to the club in question's chair-people, and they threatened to donner me.

 

Another time, riding along, I stopped, on my bicycle, at a non-working red light. Another dipsh1t on a bicycle rode into me. I swore, checked damage to my bike, and rode off. His arsehole mate chases after me and tries to pick a fight, not because of the accident, but because I swore, and said "wtf did you ride into me for?" to his bum chum.

 

Like I said, these are the arseholes who get into their cars and run stop streets, red lights, break the speed limit and so on. A duck is a duck, whether on a bike or in a car.

 

I say f*&k em, and if I was there, I'd have spoken up, and taken my beating.

If I was in my truck, I'd have spoken up and driven over a few very expensive bikes when I was abused and threatened.

 

Answer your question?

 

 

I would not have expected any different from you ! But you are one of like 10 or so hubbers who have replied here.

 

 

I wait with (un)abaited breath for the rest.

[johannrissik]

I would not have expected any different from you ! But you are one of like 10 or so hubbers who have replied here.

 

 

I wait with (un)abaited breath for the rest.

 

I would have zipped my lip, I have no desire to be assaulted by these twats.

(I was worried that your breath-holding could be terminal )

[LazyTrailRider]

Well, you know me.

 

I have seen cyclists riding recklessly. Once I made a video of them, and sent it to our good buddy Shaun from sign-up. He went all polite and mature and spoke to the club in question's chair-people, and they threatened to donner me.

 

Another time, riding along, I stopped, on my bicycle, at a non-working red light. Another dipsh1t on a bicycle rode into me. I swore, checked damage to my bike, and rode off. His arsehole mate chases after me and tries to pick a fight, not because of the accident, but because I swore, and said "wtf did you ride into me for?" to his bum chum.

 

Like I said, these are the arseholes who get into their cars and run stop streets, red lights, break the speed limit and so on. A duck is a duck, whether on a bike or in a car.

 

I say f*&k em, and if I was there, I'd have spoken up, and taken my beating.

If I was in my truck, I'd have spoken up and driven over a few very expensive bikes when I was abused and threatened.

 

Answer your question?

 

I would do exactly the same.

[Kona Kula]

I think this is a case for Darwins law. And when they get knocked over we wont miss them. Its a case of eliminating the stupid. Same concept of the LSD user who jumps off the 10th story building because he thinks he can fly. He should have tried from the ground first. We don't need them, they are stupid.

As to the question would I tell a group of cyclists to move over. No ways, can you imagine the abuse that would get hurled your way. Would just piss you off for the rest of the day.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

all off you seem to agree that what we see in the pic is wrong.

 

 

 

So firstly, to the OP, did you mention something to the guys to move over ?

 

 

Secondly, would you other commentators, tell them to move over ? As in actually do something about the situation ?

 

In general, I think most folk are loath to cause a "rukus" because they are usually well aware of the consequences of suggesting a behavioral change in these situations, so, I have no doubt that from my past experience of these occasions, that had someone said something, there would have been a lot of finger pointing, swearing and some obscene sign language directed at them, not really a positive experience for most, and personally I dont see the need for this kind of stress in my life, so I would generally steer clear of it.

[Scooterza]

Yes, it is interesting that several replies here could be classed as "defensive". Asking if the OP spoke to them at the time and not accepting that this is not how cyclists should behave. In my opinion, what these guys is doing is indefensible - period. It is plain wrong not to mention stupid. And If I was driving and had to negotiate my way around this bunch I would have been annoyed no doubt about it.

 

Would I have said anything? Not too sure but as several others have pointed out, the kind of mentality that thinks it's cool or "mean" to act like an a&^hole on your bike (or car) is the kind of mentality that will probably get aggressive when you point out to them how dumb they are being. So you can be relatively sure that when you point out to them (and I don't think it matters HOW you tell this to them), you will cop flak. Is it worth it? It will spoil your morning if you end up having a verbal spat (or even worse) with these guys.

 

If I was a driver and came around the corner to encounter this, I would probably hoot and drive on.

[Sharkie 2]

I just laugh at the mentality of so many cyclists, what they are doing is against the law, you are not allowed to obstruct traffic flow, both a cyclist or a motor vehicle. We are allowed to cycle in the lane so cars should wait until it is safe to pass us but I cycle as far towards the shoulder as it is safe or practical to do.

 

Why should the photographer have asked them to get out of the road, it only takes half a brain cell to understand its dangerous were they stood. Looking at the size of the bunch it must have been a shop or club ride of some sort so the organiser should have told them as well then

[scotty]

all off you seem to agree that what we see in the pic is wrong.

 

 

 

So firstly, to the OP, did you mention something to the guys to move over ?

 

 

Secondly, would you other commentators, tell them to move over ? As in actually do something about the situation ?

Mmmm interesting.

 

Hub flashback a few years back, a female cyclist posted how she was riding early morning and came across 2 riders riding without lights, when she commented that should ride with lights she was sworn at and verbally harassed, a number of hubbers at the time commented she deserved it as she should have minded her own business.

 

2nd flashback, an elderly couple were cycling round Hartebeesport dam when they were frightened and ridden off the road by a group of motorcyclists. The couple saw the motorcyclists a while later and on confronting them resulted in the man being told it was not his business to tell them how to ride and beaten up. Many hubbers comments at the time..he deserved it as he should have minded his own business.

[Danger Dassie]

"Can we clean house and attempt to make friends with the other road users. We tend to blame all other road users for what they do wrong and to us, but look at the photo taken today"

 

Arguing from this perspective is a dumb argument imo and just adds to the pointlessness of the debate.

 

The fatalities this week haven't been from a group of dickheads sitting idle taking up lane space. One was a hit and run, the other involved with a SAPS car.

So how 'cleaning house and making friends would resolve this is beyond me.

 

What this picture does display is the general attitude of road users. It doesn't matter if they're on two wheels or four, motorised or non motorised.

People need to change their attitudes overall.

[Danger Dassie]

I just laugh at the mentality of so many cyclists, what they are doing is against the law, you are not allowed to obstruct traffic flow, both a cyclist or a motor vehicle. We are allowed to cycle in the lane so cars should wait until it is safe to pass us but I cycle as far towards the shoulder as it is safe or practical to do.

 

Why should the photographer have asked them to get out of the road, it only takes half a brain cell to understand its dangerous were they stood. Looking at the size of the bunch it must have been a shop or club ride of some sort so the organiser should have told them as well then

 

I just laugh at the mentality of so many road users full stop. What makes cyclists so special as a group compared to any other?

The problem isn't restricted to any one group, the problem is in how all of us behave on the road.

[Pants Boy]

The cluster on the right all drive BMWewes.

Thanks for making my day

 

"Can we clean house and attempt to make friends with the other road users. We tend to blame all other road users for what they do wrong and to us, but look at the photo taken today"

 

Arguing from this perspective is a dumb argument imo and just adds to the pointlessness of the debate.

 

The fatalities this week haven't been from a group of dickheads sitting idle taking up lane space. One was a hit and run, the other involved with a SAPS car.

So how 'cleaning house and making friends would resolve this is beyond me.

 

What this picture does display is the general attitude of road users. It doesn't matter if they're on two wheels or four, motorised or non motorised.

People need to change their attitudes overall.

 

This creates a bad perception about cyclists, full stop. And to someone in a car / truck / bakkie / skoro-skoro one biker looks like the next. So the first idjit pisses him off, the second even more so, and he then tries to run over the third on he encounters. If cyclists in general don't start treating other road users with respect, this vicious cycle will continue and even get worse. Next stop - cycling licenses for the road (both because of perceived attitude and then of course fuel for the gravy-boat)

[Danger Dassie]

Thanks for making my day

 

 

 

This creates a bad perception about cyclists, full stop. And to someone in a car / truck / bakkie / skoro-skoro one biker looks like the next. So the first idjit pisses him off, the second even more so, and he then tries to run over the third on he encounters. If cyclists in general don't start treating other road users with respect, this vicious cycle will continue and even get worse. Next stop - cycling licenses for the road (both because of perceived attitude and then of course fuel for the gravy-boat)

 

Of course it does, but the same argument applies to ANY other road user.

If some knob, and there are plenty on the roads, decides to run me down because he has a bad encounter with another cyclist, then it's the mentality of that person, all he needed was an excuse. Respect or otherwise.

 

Non of this deals with the core issue of general cyclist fatalities, taking just this week for example, how do either those relate to the point made?

 

The question of respect needs to be across the board. If you're a bad driver, that attitude will carry over to whatever other mode of transport you use.

It's amazing that in Europe on narrower roads than here there can be large groups and riders on there own, with far fewer road deaths than here.

Why, because of a general mutual respect.

 

Which we don't have here, even amongst ourselves.