@#$%&* Inconsiderate Cyclist's!!

[Niner]

 

 

only a soft-cock loser would behave like that and then brag about it online. what a ****, delivering justice in his shining 16v chariot of righteousness.

+1

[Niner]

what a load of baldfaced lying..confess to being a lawbreaker.. by choice too, yet claim to riding safe. talk about self deluded. worse is the excuse other road users do it so its ok if you do. at best it lays the foundation for the idiot cyclist and idiot taxi both blitzin a robot at an intersection.. I wonder if darwin awards can be preemptively given..

 

I never said blitz a robot. I slow down and then cross especially at a T junction. Why not ?

 

Btw Everyone of you moaning here break the every time you ride your bike without a bell attached to it.

 

Please split the 2 issues.

1 making motorists angry at the way I ride. ( you have a point. Only if you act the same toward ALL idiots on the road and not just cyclist)

 

2 I get run over by a car etc( NOT your problem stop telling other people what to do and unsafe it is while ranting for days about it) you don't stop every person who is not wearing their safety belt and rant at them?

Edited February 5, 2012 by Niner

[andydude]

Hi everyone. Andydude here. Before I want to contribute to this debate, I want to understand what the issue and/or question is? And I guess I'll be playing a bit of the devil's advocate.

 

It this thread about safety on the roads, the law, or specifically about jumping red robots? And they are not the same.

 

This seems to be a very emotional thread without good debate. For instance, everyday everybody on the hub breaks rules on the road, but we know the law wasn't really written for bicycles and training. You can't deny that e.g. having to have a bell and being prohibited from standing up while cycling is stupid rules, but that is the law!

 

On red robots, I sometimes do go over them when it is safe to do so. And yes, it can be safe when there's no cars! Just like it sometimes easier to stand while pedaling. Obviously I won't go over a busy intersection, then I'll stop. In the end I try to use my common sense, which the world seems to be forgetting more and more with nanny states implementing more rules and laws.

 

I don't believe motorists get angry because of cyclists, although it could be a contributing factor. There must be more underlying reasons for doing so. Let's love more!

 

So with my devil tail waving, lets turn the question around - is it ever safe to cross a red robot? My answer is yes, what's yours? Is it legal? No.

 

Interesting debate. And one point I think a lot of people are missing is that jumping red robots doesn't mean just zipping past a busy intersection while the cars are zooming past, but rather slowing down, checking that it's safe, and then continuing when there's no cars.

[Capricorn]

Andy: we not referring to the obvious. If u stone cold alone, do u really need to stop at a robot? Technically yes, but since a bike's not heavy enough to trigger the traffic monitoring system, it's a moot point. Lets really just stay away from teh plainly obvious aspects of this debate cos it serves is to obsfuscate the real problem here, re attitudes like Niner's. ANd yes, those types blitz robots even with traffic around to trigger the traffic monitoring systems. And yes, it's VERY obvious that those types piss of drivers. Just look around with a keen eye. u cant miss it. even a blind person cant miss it.

[(Deon)]

Andy, it is about looking bad as a usergroup. Naainer seems to think it is about crossing a robot, he wants to divide this topic into two when in fact it has nothing to do with his safety... It is about him, and everyone on a bike, upholding an image.

[Capricorn]

lol. that was class PoS.

[Niner]

For instance, everyday everybody on the hub breaks rules on the road, but we know the law wasn't really written for bicycles and training.

 

You can't deny that e.g. having to have a bell and being prohibited from standing up while cycling is stupid rules, but that is the law!

 

On red robots, I sometimes do go over them when it is safe to do so. And yes, it can be safe when there's no cars! Just like it sometimes easier to stand while pedaling. Obviously I won't go over a busy intersection, then I'll stop. In the end I try to use my common sense, which the world seems to be forgetting more and more with nanny states implementing more rules and laws.

I don't believe motorists get angry because of cyclists, although it could be a contributing factor. There must be more underlying reasons for doing so. Let's love more!

So with my devil tail waving, lets turn the question around - is it ever safe to cross a red robot? My answer is yes, what's yours? Is it legal? No.

Interesting debate. And one point I think a lot of people are missing is that jumping red robots doesn't mean just zipping past a busy intersection while the cars are zooming past, but rather slowing down, checking that it's safe, and then continuing when there's no cars.

 

Well said andydude, that is what I am referring to. Some intersections is so busy that it is the safest due to the layout etc to "jump" in those few seconds when it is red to everyone.

 

I find it funny that people here will come and moan about cyclist and use everything from "it's the Law" (when they break some law on a daily basis) to "you piss of motorist"

 

I am happy for these cyclist to shout at others (if they keep there nose clean) and ALSO when they apply that rule to ALL the road users not just cyclist.....

By that I mean, do these guys also shout and take pictures of every pedestrian, taxi, bus driver using his cell phone ETC ETC ETC

 

If it is about image, then why don’t they also want to protect the image of their fellow motorists? I wish they could show me when last they hooted(etc) at someone who does not have their kid buckled in????

 

Anyway, there is not debate here, just emotions and people starting to call others names which is pathetic.....

[DJR]

1 making motorists angry at the way I ride. ( you have a point. Only if you act the same toward ALL idiots on the road and not just cyclist)

 

If, through being an inconsiderate arsehole on your bike, you make drivers angry at all cyclists, then you have already impacted negatively on me. The next time a driver pass within inches of me or my children, it may well be because of your attitude. The result of this may be way more tragic and way out of proportion to your "little" transgression. However you look at it, you would have done something BAD to your fellow cyclists. For this reason, it is every good riders duty to ask you to change your ways.

 

2 I get run over by a car etc( NOT your problem stop telling other people what to do and unsafe it is while ranting for days about it) you don't stop every person who is not wearing their safety belt and rant at them?

 

Tragic as it would be, you are right. If you get run over by a car, strictly speaking, it would not be my problem. It could even be a good thing for my family when they read the newsaper reports of how jumping red traffic lights can get cyclists killed, if it prevents them from doing the same. If I do speak out, however, I might just be doing your family a favour by saving your life. I care for my fellow man, does that not put me under an obligation?

 

My request to all those riders that anger drivers through thair selfish behaviour is this:

 

If someone asks you politely to stop doing something irrisponsible, don't become defensive and AGRESSIVE. You are in the wrong, behave like you are.

Edited February 6, 2012 by DJR

[Niner]

My request to all those riders that anger drivers through thair selfish behaviour is this:

 

If someone asks you politely to stop doing something irrisponsible, don't become defensive and AGRESSIVE. You are in the wrong, behave like you are.

 

If you care for your fellow man, please start doing it ALL the time.....ie, at everyone not using their seatbelt.....

[Wannabe]

Andy, my OP was about the cyclists monopolising the whole road going up and down Chappies. Read my first post, and you'll quickly see what it is about.

The robot / stop street thing got added later, but yes, that is also an issue, especialy on a Sat / Sun morning with all the cyclists returning from their morning ride, and then a great many of them does not stop (some does not even slow down) at Traffic Lights and Stop streets. This is especialy prevalent on the whole stretch starting at Kampsbay robot, all the way through to Cape Town CBD.

This is dangerous behavior and also ticks the motorists off, no end. With more and more cyclists on the road at this time of year, sooner or later it is going to become a huge issue.

 

Us as "experienced" cyclist's / racers, should set the example and it IS OUR DUTY to admonish and correct any wrong actions we observe by our fellow cyclists.

And yes, it does work. I had the case on Saturday going up Chappies from Noordhoek. There were a few cyclists just before the tunnel that was all over the road, with two cars patiently riding behind them. I came past the cars on the left (yes, they left me a gap) and I then had to go over into the oncoming lane to pass the group of cyclists. As I got behind them I called out to them "Car behind, keep left and ride single file". I quickly overtook them, went back into the left lane and then rode on the yellow line. I glanced over my shoulder and saw them falling into single file. As the two cars came past me, both gave a short tap on the horn and a friendly wave. I think that did go a way to "appease" the motorists to see that we can police ourselve. If I did not do what I did, we would have had two peeved off motorists, grumbling about the bloody cyclist's riding all over the road. I now think those two drivers is not so upset with those bloody cyclist's anymore.

The same goes for Robots / Stop streets. When the roads are busy, stop when you must, it upsets motorist when "we" go over robots and stop streets with impunity.

[Wannabe]

Well said andydude, that is what I am referring to. Some intersections is so busy that it is the safest due to the layout etc to "jump" in those few seconds when it is red to everyone.

 

I find it funny that people here will come and moan about cyclist and use everything from "it's the Law" (when they break some law on a daily basis) to "you piss of motorist"

 

I am happy for these cyclist to shout at others (if they keep there nose clean) and ALSO when they apply that rule to ALL the road users not just cyclist.....

By that I mean, do these guys also shout and take pictures of every pedestrian, taxi, bus driver using his cell phone ETC ETC ETC

 

If it is about image, then why don’t they also want to protect the image of their fellow motorists? I wish they could show me when last they hooted(etc) at someone who does not have their kid buckled in????

 

Anyway, there is not debate here, just emotions and people starting to call others names which is pathetic.....

 

Niner, you are being pedantic.

 

The issue is about cyclist riding all over the road....., ag what the hell, I'm not going to repeat myself again. Read my original post again (with intent and some degree of concentration) so that you can comprehend what I'm on about.

This is not about taxi's, busses, pedestrians, etc. Or about having a bell on the bike. B.t.w. Do you have one on your bike?

[Niner]

Niner, you are being pedantic.

 

The issue is about cyclist riding all over the road....., ag what the hell, I'm not going to repeat myself again. Read my original post again (with intent and some degree of concentration) so that you can comprehend what I'm on about.

This is not about taxi's, busses, pedestrians, etc. Or about having a bell on the bike. B.t.w. Do you have one on your bike?

 

Why do you think I would have a bell? Did you not read the thread.....I beak the "law" all the time and do the most "stupid" things liek blitzing pass traffic while they are at a red light......so do you think that I would adhere to any law?

[andydude]

Wannabe that's why I asked, because sometimes (always?) these threads go on a different tangent and then by page four nobody's know's what they're debating. I heard Helen Zille rode up Chappies on Saturday, I think! Good on her and I'm sure she'll get a different persective from a bicycle.

 

On riding next to each other, we sometimes go up Chappies two abreast, but as soon as there's a car or bus, one accelerates and one slows done to ride single file.

 

I think Camps Bay main road is a different beast! I normally won't ride on the side, because I've seen people cycling into car doors being flung open! I'll ride in the middle of the lane (which I think is actually my right) for the part past all the restaurants and shops. The cars in anycase go slow there. The road further on between the expensive houses are not wide, although I try to keep to the left. And then further, I might slowly cruise past the T-robots (promenade on the left).

 

Like I said before, I think South Africans have a lot of built op anger/aggression in them and that can be clearly seen on the roads (even more so than in other countries). And it has to do with much more than cyclists peeing on their battery! We have to sort that our first.

 

An interesting observation in Mauritius, the drivers are quite ... (I actually don't know what to call it!), but not in an agressive way (think India to a much lesser degree; choas, but it works). When they get to a cyclist they will slow down and wait until it's clear to pass, and once starting to pass will hoot to let the cyclist, runner, slower vehicle know they're passing. No aggression at all! Patiently waiting.

Edited February 6, 2012 by andydude

[Wannabe]

Why do you think I would have a bell? Did you not read the thread.....I beak the "law" all the time and do the most "stupid" things liek blitzing pass traffic while they are at a red light......so do you think that I would adhere to any law?

 

By your admission.

[(Deon)]

If you care for your fellow man, please start doing it ALL the time.....ie, at everyone not using their seatbelt.....

 

 

You don't get it do you?

 

It is not for This is not about cyclists telling motorists what they are doing wrong, it is for cyclists telling cyclists they are effing it up for everybody with their ignorance.

I have on several occasions recommended that a kid is buckled up. I have tapped on doors/windows/bonnets indicating that "that little move was dangerous!" or whatever. I have no shame telling the transgressor when they are wrong, but this is not about that.. please understand.

Edited February 6, 2012 by Pain or Shine

[Niner]

Wannabe that's why I asked, because sometimes (always?) these threads go on a different tangent and then by page four nobody's know's what they're debating. I heard Helen Zille rode up Chappies on Saturday, I think! Good on her and I'm sure she'll get a different persective from a bicycle.

 

On riding next to each other, we sometimes go up Chappies two abreast, but as soon as there's a car or bus, one accelerates and one slows done to ride single file.

 

I think Camps Bay main road is a different beast! I normally won't ride on the side, because I've seen people cycling into car doors being flung open! I'll ride in the middle of the lane (which I think is actually my right) for the part past all the restaurants and shops. The cars in anycase go slow there. The road further on between the expensive houses are not wide, although I try to keep to the left. And then further, I might slowly cruise past the T-robots (promenade on the left).

 

Like I said before, I think South Africans have a lot of built op anger/aggression in them and that can be clearly seen on the roads (even more so than in other countries). And it has to do with much more than cyclists peeing on their battery! We have to sort that our first.

 

An interesting observation in Mauritius, the drivers are quite ... (I actually don't know what to call it!), but not in an agressive way (think India to a much lesser degree; choas, but it works). When they get to a cyclist they will slow down and wait until it's clear to pass, and once starting to pass will hoot to let the cyclist, runner, slower vehicle know they're passing. No aggression at all! Patiently waiting.

Good post, and wrt to Camps bay, I do the same(riding in the lane)