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

[Lexx]

Jees, i almost forgot about the lions. I heard a couple of weeks ago that there are lions roaming around in Marloth Park, where i usually ride. This is Africa, not a place for sissies, ha ha

[LordPorthcawl]

I remember about 4 years ago an incident where 2 cyclists were using the hard shoulder along Hendrik Potgieter heading into the oncoming traffic. Unfortunately the guy in front had enough time to swerve to avoid the oncoming taxi (using the hard shoulder as they do), but the guy behind didn't make it and died at the scene.

So whilst there may be some benefit in heading into oncoming traffic on quiet straight roads, I think the dangers far outweigh these benefits.

[Niner]

 

Easy solution for the N2.....call the toll free number and report their asses. I have no issue with a few cyclists getting fined, I have an issue when they come home in the news

 

I agree. IF they are cycling on a FREEWAY but not the whole N2 is a freeway.

 

Then also report EVERY other transgression you see please.

[Niner]

I remember about 4 years ago an incident where 2 cyclists were using the hard shoulder along Hendrik Potgieter heading into the oncoming traffic. Unfortunately the guy in front had enough time to swerve to avoid the oncoming taxi (using the hard shoulder as they do), but the guy behind didn't make it and died at the scene.

So whilst there may be some benefit in heading into oncoming traffic on quiet straight roads, I think the dangers far outweigh these benefits.

 

So you want to say that the taxi was right? If those people were heading the other way they BOTH would have been killed by the taxu

[Niner]

Perhaps those amongst us that are responsible should get a petition out to the authorities encouraging them to nail cyclists that ignore traffic rules.

 

This morning on my ride there was a dude with a Prado on a stretch of road in town with no shoulder. I only realized about 50m down the road that he was traveling at 25 km/h behind me, and as I looked for a place to let him pass he got a gap and safely passed me. Only then did I realize that he had a trailer for two jetski's which was about 1m wider than his car......THANKS MATE!!!!

 

There is already something like that in the pipeline. PPA is very vocal about it...I am all for it....as long as it is not a soft target approach and the same is done to other road users.

 

You can have as many laws as you want but if it is not fairly enforced then what does it help?

 

And well done to that motorist he clearly has respect for his fellow road user. Wish more people would be like that rather than hoot and overtake with center era between you and the car.

Edited January 5, 2013 by Niner

[kosmonooit]

Perhaps those amongst us that are responsible should get a petition out to the authorities encouraging them to nail cyclists that ignore traffic rules.

 

booooo!

 

 

In a clockwork society you might have a point. But here, the problem is much bigger that cyclists not sticking to the rules. And some of the rules are nonsense. Like not cycling on the pavement. Cyclists are not accommodated in anyway at all here in Jhb.

 

I'll do what it takes to stay alive and ride safe thank you. I never try and assert myself in a car lane on a bike, I do not have a death wish. Fortunately I ride a mtb most of the time, so that means keeping off the roads (pavements, verges) and away from the bulk of drivers and traffic whenever/wherever possible.

 

Law enforcement on the roads is a pathetic to say the least. Yes there are roads blocks, but otherwise its totally lawless out here. What laws that are enforced are the petty ones. But more importantly its the culture of driving that is so shockingly dangerous.

 

And I would venture to say most drivers should not be in control of a motor vehicles on a public road. They are not capable of safe and considerate driving. And that generalisation spans gender and race.

 

And I've been doing this for a while (pushing pedals on the perilous roads of Jhb), so many near death experiences here, many of which I have posted on the hub about. That's not from other cyclists or pedestrians, but motorists.

[Thedocter43]

I used to ride like this when I first started cycling. I went on witkoppen, and guess what.. I got sideswiped by a mirror on my helmet which left me unconscious. I never rode against the traffic again.

[slowpoke]

 

 

Do you take pictures of every traffic transgression you see?

 

What would you have done if it was just a SLOW driver? Or like you said a wide load without out escort?

 

I often get stuck behind a truck on my way home and just have to drive at 30 because that is the max speed the truck can do on that hill.

 

Get over it and see where the real problem lies.....if the authorities were doing their job these guys would feel that there is a reason to adhere to the rules.....right now I bet you they feel that "well Everyone else breaks the rules so why must we listen"

 

This country has got to a point where where I see people in traffic doing the same as taxis, pushing in, going down the left etc. Why? Because the taxis are getting away with it, so other people are now doing the same......the problem is that their is no ACCOUNTABILITY !

 

And as such you are advocating that cyclists take no accountability either? Great logic 101 FAIL! Now go back to school...

[Spartacusissparta]

It is actually against the law to cycle towards traffic. As you are on the road the keep left rule applies. Also I even get angry at pedestrians or joggers running towards the traffic. They do not go of the tar thus endangering you as you have to get past somehow whilst already negoriating the traffic coming from behind. Keep left that's it. You are not safe , but that is the safest way.

[gogo@]

Had an awesome ride this morning, up the steepest 3kms we have round here. Almost the granny of granny's gear. Approaching a hairpin bend, at one of the steepest points, I hear a 10ton monster coming up behind. I'm doing about 4.5km/hr... but the driver slows down and sits behind me for as long as it takes till it's safe to pass. Even though I upped the speed, don't think we got much faster than 7. Thanks dude!! I got to check my max heart rate, while we were at it - nothing like being paced by a monster truck!

Relevance to discussion? Don't discount that there ARE many intelligent, courteous and sensible drivers out there. I've had similar experiences with vehicles so quiet I don't know they're there, with farmers trucks, furniture vans and a large dairy tanker. So this is not a once-off.

Every time you ride against traffic, you're jumping to the conclusion that the only ones you'll meet are the idiots. Puts you at greater risk 100% of the time for the small percentage of drivers who you need to worry about. Riding on the wrong side of the road is never going to protect you. And, if it really is that dangerous that you can't ride with the traffic, don't ride there!!

[Niner]

 

 

And as such you are advocating that cyclists take no accountability either? Great logic 101 FAIL! Now go back to school...

 

Accountability towards the person breaking the.....ag don't worry you don't get it.

[Niner]

I used to ride like this when I first started cycling. I went on witkoppen, and guess what.. I got sideswiped by a mirror on my helmet which left me unconscious. I never rode against the traffic again.

 

If you were cycling the other way the car would have stil hit, it is the direction you were going that was the problem but the car that is not suppose to be so close to you. I am not saying break the rule just applying logic here

[Big H*]

 

 

If you were cycling the other way the car would have stil hit, it is the direction you were going that was the problem but the car that is not suppose to be so close to you. I am not saying break the rule just applying logic here

 

Monotone!!!!

[slowpoke]

Niner, you are suffering from serious logic fail here. You are either seriously idiotic or a member of the ancyl. Either way you are a prime example of why motorists hate cyclists.

[Niner]

Niner, you are suffering from serious logic fail here. You are either seriously idiotic or a member of the ancyl. Either way you are a prime example of why motorists hate cyclists.

 

You just showed how mature you are by calling other people names.....but hope you have a nice day!

[Niner]

 

 

Monotone!!!!

Whatever.