Letter in Beeld

[pezulu]

Article HERE

 

It is tragic when a cyclist is killed, but it is even more tragic when cyclists want to practise their sport on our national roads.

 

Go and race on a track!

 

I don't practise with my four wheel drive vehicle on a national road, nor do I practise target shooting in a public area.

 

There are hopelessly too many bicycles on our roads, which makes it logical that one of them will be killed every now and then.

That is simply the Law of Averages.

 

If only commuters that use bicycles to get to work and back are allowed on our road - as it should be - there will be less cyclist deaths.

You don't need to be a mathematician to work that out.

 

Most cyclists are arrogant, ignore traffic rules,ignore red traffic lights, and ride on roads without an emergency lane.

Then they ask why these tragedies occur.

 

Rammetjie Uitnek

Pretoria

[Wayne Potgieter]

Uh oh.

[Tiny K]

I am not even going to start.....

[Zac.A]

cycling on the roads doesn't seem to be a problem in Europe, where they take 3x3 weeks of road closure around the place, plus various one day events and smaller tours.

 

I think it's because in Europe if you kill a cyclist, it's life in prison. Done, end of discussion.

[Big H*]

Article HERE

 

It is tragic when a cyclist is killed, but it is even more tragic when cyclists want to practise their sport on our national roads.

 

Go and race on a track!

 

I don't practise with my four wheel drive vehicle on a national road, nor do I practise target shooting in a public area.

 

There are hopelessly too many bicycles on our roads, which makes it logical that one of them will be killed every now and then.

That is simply the Law of Averages.

 

If only commuters that use bicycles to get to work and back are allowed on our road - as it should be - there will be less cyclist deaths.

You don't need to be a mathematician to work that out.

 

Most cyclists are arrogant, ignore traffic rules,ignore red traffic lights, and ride on roads without an emergency lane.

Then they ask why these tragedies occur.

 

Rammetjie Uitnek

Pretoria

 

The crux of the letter in bold above. That is how motorists perceive us. Ons us ourselves can change that view. I somehow think we are not able to do that.

[Zac.A]

The crux of the letter in bold above. That is how motorists perceive us. Ons us ourselves can change that view. I somehow think we are not able to do that.

 

It is a pitty.

I for one stop at any red robots, whether the group i'm riding with does or not.

I try to stay in the yellow line as much as possible.

 

It only takes a minute to stop at a red robot, it won't hurt you, but if you don't then all cyclists are implicated.

[leet22]

Yes cyclists dont stop at red lighst blah blah blah , car drivers do the same.

We both to blame for not obeying the rules of the road.

[RooiWillie]

Yes cyclists dont stop at red lighst blah blah blah , car drivers do the same.

We both to blame for not obeying the rules of the road.

 

Ok, so cars dont stop, and you dont stop

... go figure. Stupid must die. And ignorance as well.

 

Its the same road, with the same rules for all. Obey them, apply some common sence and remember, steel will win against skin.

 

Save your own ass and our (cyclists) name.

[Gunzo]

I don't think cyclist are the problem.

 

Motorist hate pedestrians.

Motorist hate bikers.

Motorist hate taxis.

Motorist hate the old lady or truck in front of them

Motorist hate the guy in the bakkie behind them.

Motorist hate the pavement next to them.

 

Motorist hate any and all other road users

 

I think that is the problem.

[kamikaze]

i totally agree with that letter.

 

when i ride i stay off the road. i HATE riding in the road.

 

i dont get how some of my mates can go for a 60 - 100km road ride and come back feeling less stressed than before leaving, especially when they go out on provincial roads were cars and trucks are forced to fly past them from behind with 50cm clearance because there's no shoulder.

[Tiny K]

Pity one cannot comment on the person's brain fart....

 

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/MediaReleases/Pages/Cyclistsandmotoristspleasesharetheroadsafely.aspx

 

“Motorists and cyclists both have a legal right to use South Africa’s roads. Cyclists may ride on any public road other than a freeway or where cycling is expressly forbidden. Motorists need to be more tolerant of cyclists and cyclists need to be vigilant and obey the rules of the road,” said Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects.

[The Ouzo]

we only have each other (cyclists) to blame.

 

I try as much as possible to stick to the rules of the road (and common sense i.e. 1ton steel cage vs +/- 100kg rider+bike) , but I so often see groups of riders taking over the entire road when there is no need to, guys skipping red lights and then flipping off the cars that hoot at them etc.

its no wonder we are hated by motorists.

 

it does go both ways though and some motorists go out of their way to try and push you off the road, but as mentioned above, 1 ton steel cage vs 100kg rider+bike, the steel cage will always win.

[Tiny K]

i totally agree with that letter.

 

when i ride i stay off the road. i HATE riding in the road.

 

i dont get how some of my mates can go for a 60 - 100km road ride and come back feeling less stressed than before leaving, especially when they go out on provincial roads were cars and trucks are forced to fly past them from behind with 50cm clearance because there's no shoulder.

 

But there you have it. As a road user, you should be treated as such. If it is unsafe to pass, then don't. Wait until it is safe to pass.

 

A law is/has been passed that vehicle must pass a cyclist with at least 1m clear space between the cyclist and the overtaking vehicle.

 

Riding in the Emergency (yellow) lane is illegal. Cyclists use it because it is the only 'safe' place to ride in as motorised vehicle drivers expect them to move out of their way not to inconvenience them.

 

You can ride your MTB off the road... that is what it is made for. I like riding my road bike on the road, hence it's definition.

 

I stop at stop lines, red traffic lights and whenever it is necessary. I experience vehicle drivers squeezing me as I pass them in traffic so as to prevent me from passing - I just go around them. I have front and rear lights for my bike. I wear a helmet and glasses at all times. I hold my line and keep a safe following distance behind vehicles when in traffic.

 

If drivers could exercise the same respect on the road, it will be a safer place for all. Unfortunately, the population, like yourself, believe the roads are only for vehicles. It's a sad thought pattern that you have, which will never improve relations on the road for cyclists.

[NINER_boy]

I don't think cyclist are the problem.

 

Motorist hate pedestrians.

Motorist hate bikers.

Motorist hate taxis.

Motorist hate the old lady or truck in front of them

Motorist hate the guy in the bakkie behind them.

Motorist hate the pavement next to them.

 

Motorist hate any and all other road users

 

I think that is the problem.

 

 

Dude

 

Motorists hate OTHER motorists!!!

[NINER_boy]

cycling on the roads doesn't seem to be a problem in Europe, where they take 3x3 weeks of road closure around the place, plus various one day events and smaller tours.

 

I think it's because in Europe if you kill a cyclist, it's life in prison. Done, end of discussion.

 

I've been in a bus on Swiss passes...

 

The bus WAITS behind the cyclist (a commuter) until it is safe to pass, and no one is worse for ware.

Best of it all, the busses are ALWAYS on time, even considering everyone else on the road!!!!

 

Our biggest problem (or two), is

1. Cyclists are seen to have no right to the road, where we actually have FULL right as a road user.

2. The laws of the road ( IE accommodating cyclist and other road users) are NOT being enforced by our authorities that we "pay".

It is much easier to sit somewhere and catch you in the car doing 110km in a 100km/h zone.

Yep, I am yet to see that that kills someone obeying ALL the rules of the road!!!

[maddox]

 

I stop at stop lines, red traffic lights and whenever it is necessary. I experience vehicle drivers squeezing me as I pass them in traffic so as to prevent me from passing - I just go around them. I have front and rear lights for my bike. I wear a helmet and glasses at all times. I hold my line and keep a safe following distance behind vehicles when in traffic.

 

 

You sound like the model cyclist. Unfortunately I think you're in the minority. I see an endless number of cyclists riding on the coastal road to Chappies every morning ignoring traffic lights, riding 2-4 abreast etc. Of the cyclists I see on this route less than 10% of them ride with rear lights or high visibility clothing. Your chances of being rear ended have to be many times higher if you wear a full Rapha cycling kit - looking cool however seems to be more important.