Cyclist knocked down in St James this morning

[nuge]

one of the issues is that cyclists are not perceived as equal road users by motorists - most not being aware that a person on a bicycle has similar rights to use the road as those in motorised vehicles.

 

while a great intiative, the 1.5m passing distance doesn't address the above.

 

what i did see recently was a gentleman riding in a top that had " I AM TRAFFIC" written in big bold text on the back- in my view this is the message we really need to convey.

[Lucky Luke.]

I am correct as I spend 2 years trying to get GA to do someting about drivers on Plattekloof road.

 

And NOTHING happened, so I think that you are living in a dream world if you think that GA gives a damn.

 

Well that sounds frustrating, but I think in light of the tragedy yesterday there will be support for better bus drivers and stricter adherence to the law.

[Icycling]

one of the issues is that cyclists are not perceived as equal road users by motorists - most not being aware that a person on a bicycle has similar rights to use the road as those in motorised vehicles.

 

while a great intiative, the 1.5m passing distance doesn't address the above.

 

what i did see recently was a gentleman riding in a top that had " I AM TRAFFIC" written in big bold text on the back- in my view this is the message we really need to convey.

My feeling is the 1.5m is a concession to what the law currently states and that is overtake in a separate lane (about 3m on most roads and no overtaking on a solid white line)! Cyclist been to considerate - or is the currently law just completely ridiculous and not enforceable?

[Guest ctMTBer]

Well that sounds frustrating, but I think in light of the tragedy yesterday there will be support for better bus drivers and stricter adherence to the law.

Sad that someone had to loose his life before anyone would listen

[Lucky Luke.]

Sad that someone had to loose his life before anyone would listen

 

 

Absolutely, thanks for taking this on and trying to make a difference.

[DJR]

 

For example, a highly visible cycling jersey - free to all Argus entrants - with a clear message on the back promoting responsible driving and cycling.

 

This way the wearer feels a duty to ride responsibly, as do the motorists they're sharing the road with.

 

This could be paid for in part with money from sponsors who could get their logo on the top or whatever it is.

 

 

I like this idea, it will immediately get 35 000 bright hi visibility messages out there where it matters most. It will cost a pretty penny though - 35000 x R150 (?) = R5,25 million. I say get sponsors (lotto fund?) for 1/2 of that and PPA pay for the rest, either from reserves or by upping entry fees.

[alsoran]

a highly visible cycling jersey

 

Don't the PPA already have that bright yellow 1.5m jersey they are selling?

[GoLefty!!]

Great idea but the problem is cyclists themselves.

I tried such an idea when on PPA EXCO 6 years ago. It was poorly marketed by the office and cyclists didn't want to wear something that made them stand out. the concept was simple, High vis cycling top with "Fragile, pass me 1.5m right"

 

It took off like an ostrich.

 

The other issue that most August Riders, only ride February through March then the bikes get put away and they become motorists again. Some the worst driver I encounter have bike racks hanging off the back. Now if a motorist, selling cycling to everyone he passes with his bikes dangling off the back, can't respect other cyclists on theirr bikes, how is he going to convince other motorist that giving cyclists right of way is mature and responsible.

 

Driving up Chappies a few months ago to get to a slope gliding sight I came upon a group of cyclists. I stthere in first gear for probably 1Km with other motorsits hootin behind. Eventually one chop just went for it and nearly took out a cyclist and an oncoming car. So the cyclist berate me for putting them in danger.....!!WTF?!!

 

Folks, the whole change starts with us. When we get behind the wheel drive like you would motorists to drive when you're on the bike. Mostly If I wait behind cyclists and pass when its safe to do so, following motorist will do similarly. There will be the chop who push through. Culture change starts at home.

 

I feel the transgressions of GA should be continually ighlighted and the authorities should be taken to task for turning a blind eye.

Cycle lanes are not going to happen in a hurry. Theres no appetite for it at a provincial government level. they want you on buses. Integrated transport networks se voet. There's no money in commuting bicyclists.

 

stick together on this

ride safe

obey basic rules of the road.

[alsoran]

 

Folks, the whole change starts with us.

ride safe

obey basic rules of the road.

 

Agreed 100%

[argie1]

This is sad that it's taken a life before some of the 35 000 or 50 000 odd cyclists in the country want to take action. But, one thing sems to be clear that if PPA are indeed sitting on stashed cash, then it's time for a rival cycling body to be formed in Cape Town.

One that actually will do something for cyclists to make it safer in the Cape, and in so doing, will "guarantee" its future existance by retaining members through its actions and this will hopefully lead to similar cycling bodies being formed in other areas.

35 odd years ago I used to cycle that road and I am always checking over my shoulder. Some motorists just do not look for pedestrians, cyclists or motorbikes, they look for cars and trucks before overtaking.

Bright colour jerseys? years ago a friend was nearly killed despite his neon green top, a truck still managed to hit him in the yellow lane. Put him in intensive care for months and now he has a permanent limp.

 

I don't know what the answer is to making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians, perhaps a petition we can sign at major cycling / running events could be started to be presented to relevant bodies / municipalities / ministers, etc. but we must start doing something. Any doers and shakers out there?

[American Flyers]

I find it is a bit scary for bus or trucks to pass you on small bend of road because the drivers think they pass you well enough space, but at the back of truck or bus comes closer to you on the bends. If it happens, I try to jump on pavements or just squeeze thru.

I feel the drivers of bus or trucks, should think and know size of vehicle....

Example:- Give those drivers a bicycle and show them what it feels like on the bend when truck or bus come past...

[DJR]

I find it is a bit scary for bus or trucks to pass you on small bend of road because the drivers think they pass you well enough space, but at the back of truck or bus comes closer to you on the bends. If it happens, I try to jump on pavements or just squeeze thru.

I feel the drivers of bus or trucks, should think and know size of vehicle....

Example:- Give those drivers a bicycle and show them what it feels like on the bend when truck or bus come past...

 

I would donate my left nut to science if Golden Arrow does this!

Edited October 25, 2012 by DJR

[Flowta]

The irony of illegally taken photographs being used to demonstrate "illegal" behaviour by bus drivers is ironic. And amusing.

What gives you the right to break the law to demonstrate others allegedly doing the same?

 

I have read this and other threads and pieces on cycling accidents - especially in Cape Town. The fact is that there is certainly a problem, but until there is mutual respect between cyclists and other road users, nothing good will happen. Accidents will continue to occur and Newton tells us that cyclists will (almost invariably) come off the worst.

 

The majority of reaction to yesterday's tragic accident on this thread has been kneejerk and (perhaps understandably) emotional. Not all GABS drivers are murderers. You know very little of the GABS training programme, yet you make rash assumptions, judgements and statements. Do you think the driver in question did it deliberately? How do you think he feels, having been involved in an accident which took a young man's life? You are looking at this solely from one side. That's unhelpful.

 

Things need to settle down a little if any coherent and progressive response is to come from this incident.

 

Just saying.

 

Anne Observer. (sometime driver, sometime cyclist, not been on a bus for years)

 

Really?? You created an anonymous profile to berate somebody for taking a picture???

 

And it was done legally, how STUPID do you feel?

[GoLefty!!]

FYI I had the camera in a mount on the dash knowing the busses do that every day it was a video running! So I was acctually not doing anything illegal.

 

I have tried to get GabS drivers to behave for 2 years with no luck. So I will find it very difficult to see you side as I have only had problems with the drivers....like them driving behind me IN the cyclelane and hooting for me to get out the way?

 

 

sounds like GABS version of damage control is to send agents into forums and derail conversations.....

 

just saying

[Proud PPA Member]

Its unfortunate and very sad when a person loses their life for no reason. Most if not all road cyclists have had a close shave at some time or other.

 

The challenge is to get ALL road users to respect each other and be more tolerant. Without this nothing much will change.

 

There has been a lot of speculation on the HUB regarding what does PPA do with its funds and what should it be doing.

 

As a PPA committee member I am proud to share what PPA has and is doing in respect of making our roads safer for all cyclists.

 

PPA last year launched a Safe Cycling campaign which is incrementally being rolled out country wide. The campaign "Cyclist stay alive at 1.5m" incoporates visible bright yellow cycling jerseys (available online at PPA at a susidised cost), print, radio, social media, moving advertisements on busses (last year) as well as awareness stickers and licence disks (over 70 000 distributed to date). Over R500 000 has been spent to date with another R1000 000 in this years budget for the Safe Cycling Campaign.

 

PPA has also funded a masters student at UCT to study and recommend what would constitue a safe passing distance.

 

In addtion PPA has lodged a civil claim for damages against the motorist who killed the unfortunate cyclists outside Outshoorn a few years ago. The purpose being to sensitize the public to the fact that we as cyclist also have rights!

 

This is only part of what PPA does on behalf of all of us cyclist. For more information please contact the PPA office, website or talk to one of our committee members.

['Dale]

One more

 

On Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 8:03 AM, wrote:

Morning Mario

 

I still see that the busses do the same thing every day....I have not

seen any improvement. This action of the busses are very dangerous and

hope that someone will adddress this BEFORE anything bad happens.

 

Can GABS please take some action

 

 

 

 

 

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8:23 AM, <> wrote:

> Hi there

>

> I still have not seen any improvement. Bus 3026 driving in the yellow

> line lane and then crossing again as described before. Will there only

> be action once someone is killed?

>

>

>

 

Awesome effort here, man.

Well done.