Jump to content

Cyclists' Safety in the light of Burry and other's recent deaths - Merged Thread.


Recommended Posts

Posted

I think there are two issues. One is cyclists ignoring the road rules and irritating motorists. The other is safety and staying alive. The issues are slightly related but there is not a direct cause and effect at work.

 

By that I mean obeying the rules will not stop a drunk person nailing you on your side of the road. It will also not stop a taxi turning in front of you. It won't stop you being doored. What it will do is help motorists respect us a little but a lot of people respect nothing and no one, not even themselves. Riding in single file will not solve that problem.

 

I can give examples of where breaking the law will save your life. When I'm cycling with my wife and we approach an intersection I am worried about I will pull alongside her if there is no one behind in order to make us more visible as a group. At some traffic lights I pull off before green because I can get 25 m up the road and into a side road and so clear a space for the line of cars that are behind me. When entering a busy road I will sometimes do so from the wrong side of my entry road to avoid cars wanting to go on straight and will take me out as I try to turn.

 

You guys with all your theories that sound like you have about 3 weeks experience on the road, you know who I mean and I don't mean all people posting that I disagree with, you talk a nice talk but sorry to say it is more important to me to stay alive. My theories have been tested over decades and thousands of kilometers. I am not to about to embark on an experiment with my life

  • Replies 679
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted (edited)

Sadly, yesterday we were discussing that rechlessness and ill-behavious of, not only motorists, but most in SA. and there is only one conclussion, this has become a K-country. Sadly, I'm not proud to say it, but unfortunately, can't call it something better. Ignorance of traffic, rules and regulations, schools a mess, littering...name it.

 

Don't bring the K word here, Pastapouch.

Keep it to yourself.

Not welcome.

Edited by ' Dale
Posted

When I road cycle, my first directive: "stay alive".

 

All the regular rules apply after that.

 

Take for instance, me crossing a green robot, and a taxi edging its way forward as if to skip. I stopped at the green light.

 

I always assume when on the road, every is out to injure me or worse.

Posted

Odd that the people with theories based on abiding by the law have also cycled tens of thousands of kms and have ridden for many years as well.

 

There are the obvious times when evasive and life defending actions are required, but the general consistent inexcusable flaunting of the laws by ALL road users is the main reason for the lack of respect between all and the cause of the majority of deaths on the road. Actual accidents are few and far between.

 

If the bunch is too big to ride single file when appropriate then split up into smaller groups.

 

If you are alone in your car and the intersection is dark and you see a scaly character, then drive through the light AFTER checking the road is clear.

 

If there has been a smash and the road is blocked but the oncoming vehicle has stopped and indicates for you to go then cross the center line and go.

 

If there is broken glass or a pothole in the cycle lane then pull out into the normal road lane.

 

If the vehicle in front of you drives slowly when you a behind them but accelerates every time you try to pass, then as soon as it is safe to so so, gear down and gun it even if it means going over the speed limit, just drop back to legal speed once past. (I've had a fine reduced for doing this as this is a potential safety risk - why is the car trying to block you and potentially stop you?)

 

If the vehicle next to you swerves at you then change lanes without indicating (do at least check)

 

There are many other INSTANCES where there is a logical and safety based reason but to break the law, whether in a car or on 2 wheels, but to do so as a regular habit is where the issue comes in.

Posted

There is a big difference between breaking the law and murdering someone. who the $&;&; do u think u are trying to justify this . Please lord if I meet u one day may he be with u!!!!!!!

 

There is also a big difference between Mxit and TheHubSA.

 

So far, nobody has been "murdered". Also, if you want to threaten people online, make sure you do it in such a way were a 5th grader can't figure out the address & place of employment of both yourself and your girlfriend. Savanna won't be proud.

Posted

No sign of the swearing, threatening Lee Penderis...

 

Enough said! The brunt of my anger was how can This be put this up within 3 days of his death! And and 2 deaths this weekend I just find it right I appologize for my anger towards hubbers. There was a better angle to this argument.

Posted

 

 

Severe head trauma, possible broken neck on impact. Read that today on a press site, can find the source if need be.

Wasn't being sarcy. Genuine question amongst all the speculation. Figured he hit the taxi head on (I know he T boned it - but he was head on) and so head trauma or neck. No need for the source. I'm sure details will come out as the dust settles.
Posted

Indeed, the truth is at this point its an unknown but the hysterical blame game needs to stop.

 

From what I see the driver has complied fully with the authorities, he stopped and waited for the police and made a statement as did others. I understand charges will be laid and later a court will decide the outcome, as tragic as it is, accidents are no respecter of status, they happen to everyone, young and old, rich and poor, famous or just ordinary, everyday is a gift.

 

Sorry I do not agree with you, taxis are a law untoo themselves. Here in Ceres you can be riding deap single file in the yellow lane and the most vehicles will give you a wide berth if there is nothing coming from the front. Most taxis on the other hand will see how close they can get to the yellow line even when there is nothing coming from the front. Now why they do this I do not know mabe lack of drivers license or they just don't care, its a toss up. I agree accidents do happen but why is it, that the most horrific ones are mostly comitted by taxis.

Posted

Eccentric has the most correct definitions of the different roads and sets out where you can and cant cycle.

 

If this is too much to take in, then working to "Green signs - good, blue signs - bad" is probably the next best thing.

Posted

He also had a tailwind which the taxi driver would not be aware of and therefore going much faster than expected.

 

What I do know though is while down there this past week I saw impatience and speed on VERY busy roads. Chances are the taxi saw a gap that wasn't there....we will never really know

Posted

Was standing at a red this morning when a paraplegic in his recumbent casually arrived, cycled around the cars and went straight through. When we caught him I asked him if he should be doing that seeing as he was already in a wheelchair.

 

He took it pretty well. Even apologised, although i'm not sure if he was being genuine or sarcastic. I've always kept my mouth shut and just shaken my head, but those days are over. If you do that in front of me, you're going to get a friendly interrogation.

 

This reminds me of the guy who did the same thing a while ago in main road in Rondebosch. He disappeared around a slight curve. We waited for green, set off and as we rounded the curve found him sprawled on the tar, bleeding. Sweet justice.

Posted
I have seen how they drive. Motorbikes and bicycles do not exist for taxis. I have seen a taxi driving up the wrong side of the road, a motorbike was coming from the other direction and had to swerve off the road to avoid a head-on with the taxi. They are extremely dangerous.
strangely enough, in my neck of the woods, when I'm in the bike taxis are more courteous than other vehicles.

I'm more worried about the Clover trucks than any other vehicle.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout