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

[Coolcat]

Whether one is a driver or cyclist or both, it is easier to change our own behaviour than to try and change someone elses. The change must start with ourselves and hopefully this attitude will influence others.

[Dr Snuggles]

Interesting. Here on my training routes I find that taxis show more respect than many others on the road. It is all a matter of respect for each other. That said, if I had to move to a place like JHB, I would probably hang up my bike. I would be too scared to cycle there.

 

that's been my experience as well: taxis have been very mindful, as well as truck drivers. Car drivers give most crap, but that's probably cos they are not on the drive whole day and climb into a car with a bunch of stress from work/home/last memory of inconsiderate cyclists. BUt the rank worst experiences thus far come from tour bus drivers. They scare the crap outta me.

[Bianchi]

How was he injured?

 

A head on with a vehicle could be fatal at 10km/h...

 

As you said, combo of scenarios. Wish none of them took place in the first place.

 

It could very well, or it could not. I was hit head-on by a car at 80k/h and somehow, miraculously, survived, even with extensive injuries. If only Burry was so lucky, but it was not to be

We're ALL wishing this never happened...

 

He T-boned the taxi. Not a direct head on.

 

The other possibility is Burry was following somewhat closely behind another

vehicle going in the same direction and the taxi did a quick right turn behind this into his path.

 

All of these are guesses until someone who saw it happen describes the exact details. That should come out when the case gets heard. Until then we can hypothesize all we want, but our hero mains fallen....

Well, from what I can tell from what I heard, I'm going to tell myself he probably felt no pain. Whether he saw it coming or not, at the point of impact there was no-one home anymore.

 

Also hoping, and guessing, that it was painless. Never good to know someone suffered.

 

that's been my experience as well: taxis have been very mindful, as well as truck drivers. Car drivers give most crap, but that's probably cos they are not on the drive whole day and climb into a car with a bunch of stress from work/home/last memory of inconsiderate cyclists. BUt the rank worst experiences thus far come from tour bus drivers. They scare the crap outta me.

 

I've had bad experiences with taxi drivers, but more bad experiences with arrogant and hateful drivers. Only a few with drivers that were ignorant of their surroundings.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Bianchi

[Niner]

 

 

You have it wrong and may create impressions that can be costly. Please make sure of your facts when posting important things that may impact on a persons life.

 

Freeway - two lanes seperated by a median, over and underpasses with on and offramps. This not only for N roads but any road that conforms

Expressway - two lanes seperated by a median but with level intersections, ie, t-junctions or crossroads, and expressway may have on anf offramps but does not have any over or underpasses (bridges). This road may be an N, R or any other denotation and you may rode on ot.

Rural, secondary or tertiary roads. These are normal single lane road. They may be designated N, R or D or any other.

 

Furthermore, it is illegal to ride on a freeway. Your insurance (life and short term) states you may not take part in illegal activities and they may reject your claim. This can be bad for you as you will be held liable for third party damages and claims as well, especially if you survive or are and invalid or brain damaged.

 

Sooooo even those that ride on a freeway once or twice a year are foolish.

 

So what did I have wrong? Cyclist are not allowed on a freeway?

 

The N1 is NOT a freeway until the sign.

 

Believe me I investigated this VERY well.

 

You saying the same ad me. Not only N roads are freeway ANY road can be a freeway and then you can not ride on it.

 

But a road is NOT automatically a freeway because it has a median, it is only a freeway when stated so by those boards saying FREEWAY BEGINS.

[HeyYou]

can happen anywhere.

 

example Bradley Wiggens.

 

I've been riding in England when some tosser turns in front of you. Hit the 'turkey', but luckily I'm not that fast.

[big.mamma]

There have been a few cyclists killed on that road.

A few or just one. Your fact is wrong.

[Niner]

Lately cycling on N1 from Woodstock to Cape Town is safer than using the cycle lane.

 

And it is legal to ride there.

 

I found that interesting almost shocked when I first heard that.

 

I was also under the impression that a median meant highway or freeway and thus you can ride on it but I was clearly wrong.

 

I called various traffic departments and looked at the AAARTO website and the law states that cyclist may not ride on a FREEWAY.

 

So technically if it does not say it is a freeway then you can ride on it BUT is it safe? That is another story.

[big.mamma]

Troll alert double poster on board!!!!!!!

[HeyYou]

Whether one is a driver or cyclist or both, it is easier to change our own behaviour than to try and change someone elses. The change must start with ourselves and hopefully this attitude will influence others.

 

++++++++++

[Niner]

Troll alert double poster on board!!!!!!!

 

Who you referring to?

[pastapouch]

South African roads are a bit of a joke. Everybody has an axe to grind with every other road user... Aaaah, look at these cyclists riding 3 abreast.... Aaaah, look at the asshole in the car cutting off the cyclists. Cyclists hate cars. Cars hate cyclists. Motorcyclists speed too often... Bla. Bla. Bla.

But you know what? I guarantee that every person reading this, and every hater out there has broken a road law in the last year. No? Have you done 60 or less in every 60 zone? Have you not been over the limit once? (Bearing in mind the limit is 1 beer, I believe). Until you can be honest and say you don't break any road laws, that's when the road carnage will drop, cyclists cycle safely etc. it starts with each individual. The law is the law.

P.S. I don't pretend to be innocent in all of this, I am as guilty as the next guy. I just think our perception of breaking the road laws needs a change.

TRUE! But, 60??? Someone's brain is still operating in oxwagon mode. Yes, I do break the speed limit. But, when I see slower traffic, cyclists, pedestrian, because I anticipate and scan the road consistently ahead, I slow down. And no, I'm not perfect, nobody is. Oh, over the limit, YES, a couple of times. Then, I drive much slower than the speed limit. And use roads that the cops won't be on. A sober dirver who drives like an idiot, will drive more than an idiot when hes drunk. Edited January 6, 2013 by pastapouch

[Bianchi]

TRUE! But, 60??? Someone's brain is still operating in oxwagon mode. Yes, I do break the speed limit. But, when I see slower traffic, cyclists, pedestrian, because I anticipate and scan the road consistently ahead, I slow down. And no, I'm not perfect, nobody is.

 

Unfortunately it's this mentality (it's safe, so I'm going to cruise ahead at 90 in a 60, then someone steps out into the road and that extra 30kph is just too much) that causes half the accidents. I'm not claiming to always be perfect with obeying the rules of the road, but I am certainly making an active attempt at driving within the confines of the law.

[arendoog]

Here in Pretoria i have noticed that most drivers dont respect you as a fellow road user .I cross many traffic circles and you often see people on their cellphones oblivious of you the cyclist trying to cross .Many times the white lady in the the c.class speeding past you on the outside of the circle as if you dont exist .It is sometimes difficult to see a cyclist ,but i think our drivers arnt used to them and the law dont protect us enough .If this happend in france ,the taxi driver will be spending the rest of his life behind bars without a courtcase .Just hooting at a cyclist gets you into trouble in france

[big.mamma]

Until the authorities and "padmakers" supply the safe alternative I will do the freeway. Many places in the country cycling is allowed on freeways. What is the difference between a d**s doing 140 in a 60 zone and a d**s doing 140 on a freeway. For those not in the know a d**s in English is a carton container before anybody has a fit because of the word d**s. It is because the container is empty.

[Bianchi]

A few or just one. Your fact is wrong.

 

+1

I've only ever seen one or two vehicles actually drive aggressive/inconsiderate towards cyclists on that stretch of the N4.

[MintSauce]

I think if Burry was aware of what was going on he easily could have scrubbed half his speed off. 50 to 25 in a second or so. Which is why I think he was head down.

 

I don't quite agree with you. A car turned accross my path once. Was in the drops, saw him go, I braked hard and tried to swerve but clipped him with a pedal and went down. I don't care who you put in that position, under the circumstances I found myself in, there is no person on this planet that could have avoided hitting that car. I was barely doing 30kph. I was just lucky there was SOME space to manuever and the driver saw me and braked. Plus, even if I hit him full-on I would have gone over the bonnet. With a big taxi, it's like hitting a wall.

 

But to repeat what's been said, we'll never know.

Edited January 6, 2013 by MintSauce