Mr SingleTrack Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Ok so I am sure I will get a lot of heat for this but what the heck: I cycle on the wrong side of the road! I have lost a few friends over the years due to cycling accidents where cars were involved. In most of these cases they got hit from behind due to the driver not paying attention/not seeing the cyclist. I also think a fair number of these accidents could/would have been avoided if the cyclists actually saw the vehicle approaching. How many times have you as a cyclist been passed by a car/taxi/truck/… where the vehicle passed and nearly missed you as some insane speed whilst you were literally as close to the edge of the road as possible? I like to have my life in my own hands and do not like to put my trust in someone else where I have no control over that person paying attention to the road. I would rather ride into the ditch with my road bike or jump face first onto the gravel next to the road when I see the vehicle is driving on the edge of the road, than be hit from behind because I didn’t see it coming. Yes, I will not be able to avoid it if the car travels at 120km/h and the driver suddenly lose control/swerve into me, but not all accidents happen like that. Lots happen when the vehicle drove on the edge of the road or the driver misjudges/ don’t see the cyclist. I have avoided quite a few accidents by riding off the edge of the road seconds before a big truck passed me that would have hit me (even though I was cycling in the yellow line). Ok, this being said, it works well to ride on the right hand side of the road out of town, but not in town where there is circles, slipways, etc. (I mostly do MTBing so when I do the odd road ride I ride out of town anyways). I also make sure that I always give way to any other road user like a cyclist cycling towards me as I know I am in the wrong. But in this way at least I have my life in my own hands by some extent. O, and I do stick to the left of the road when I join group rides as the group is at least more visible. Think about it, it makes no difference to the car if the cyclist is coming or going, as long as the cyclist sticks to the side of the road. Ok let the flaming begin Niner and M L 2
Wil6 Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 What, there is two lanes on a single track? Mr Winter 1
Mr SingleTrack Posted January 7, 2013 Author Posted January 7, 2013 What, there is two lanes on a single track?yes, at Sani2c Wil6 1
Mr SingleTrack Posted January 7, 2013 Author Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) Dude, you don't even own a mountain bike..yes, I've been heart broken since I sold my bike this weekend. But don't worry, I'll soon buy the upgrade Edited January 7, 2013 by Mr SingleTrack
Mr SingleTrack Posted January 7, 2013 Author Posted January 7, 2013 how about a mirror?a mirror is better than nothing I guess, but I still feel my life is in someone elses hands...
TNT1 Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Good luck to you. ****that. The OP is an complete witnit for doing what he does. When I get to power he will be one of the first ones queued for public castration! Dr Snuggles, Li Mu Bai and Jaco-fiets 3
Gravity Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 just a small example.someone in a car stopped at a side road, is only interested in what is coming down the traffic side of the road, not what is coming up the other way.I strongly advise you rethink your strategy.....as you have stated.....you cycle on the WRONG side of the road.no flaming. regardscommon sense. scotty and slowpoke 2
Guest Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 ****that. The OP is an complete witnit for doing what he does. When I get to power he will be one of the first ones queued for public castration! You need to relax. Niner 1
TNT1 Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 I still feel my life is in someone elses hands... I'm not surprised you feel that way with your preferred method of riding the streets here. Idjut!
TNT1 Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 You need to relax. Ahem, that was my just this side of comatose I'm so relaxed response...
Dirt*girl™ Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Ahhh, I return and see that all is still the same Agteros and RooiWillie 2
Guest Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Ahem, that was my just this side of comatose I'm so relaxed response... I can smell you burning up that side, flaming from your ears.You already said you don't agree with the OP's methods, so leave the personal insults for someone who truly deserves it.
Simon Kolin Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Think about it, it makes no difference to the car if the cyclist is coming or going, as long as the cyclist sticks to the side of the road. You've actually hit the nail on the head and that comes from 2 human limitations; 1. As I was saying in my reply here about the awareness test (https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/125365-awareness-test/), out brains don't recognise things they don't expect. It actually may even be more dangerous to assume that riding against traffic, increases your chances of being seen and avoided. Just because you as the rider assumes that this will help you see traffic hazards and they (drivers) see you, doesn't make it so. 2. Most people have severe issues with depth perception and a barely passable knowledge of the metric system. What they assume is space given of 1.5m (or whatever), probably is 70cm and that, at best, is taken from the beginning of the pavement. Motorists are taught to judge distance that way and most are very poor at that. Look at all the cars that have scratches on their wheels (left hand side of car). Our depth perception is laughable at best. Li Mu Bai 1
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now