Idiotic cyclists .

[Wyatt Earp]

Me too, if someone puts my life at risk I definitely react, but in all my years of riding I've never found it to be another cyclist.

 

Of course not.

[Lucky Luke.]

We know they are stupid... that does not give cyclists a right to be stupid!!!

 

The completely obvious difference is that a stupid cyclist stands to come off much worse than a stupid motorist. No cyclist willfully enters the flow of traffic and tempts a car to flatten them into the tarmac whilst shouting 'it's my right to be stupid!!!'.

 

Give me a million 'stupid cyclists' over a hundred stupid drivers any day. Stupid cyclists need education and assistance in preserving their own lives. Stupid drivers feel entitled to their attitude and are often beyond caring.

 

The Dutch recognise this obvious imbalance of power with Strict Liability. The law puts paid to the 'might is right' attitude that most embrace or accept in SA.

 

Nobody wastes 1kb of forum space shouting into the void at some cyclist they rode past last week who took up their own lane. Delayed drivers wait patiently for cyclists move aside and go about their business. The rest of Europe is pretty similar. Even the Italians display a level of patience that would be replaced by a symphony of hooting and swearing here.

Edited June 25, 2013 by Lucky Luke.

[Wyatt Earp]

The completely obvious difference is that a stupid cyclist stands to come off much worse than a stupid motorist. No cyclist willfully enters the flow of traffic and tempts a car to flatten them into the tarmac whilst shouting 'it's my right to be stupid!!!'.

 

Give me a million 'stupid cyclists' over a hundred stupid drivers any day. Stupid cyclists need education and assistance in preserving their own lives. Stupid drivers feel entitled to their attitude and are often beyond caring.

 

The Dutch recognise this obvious imbalance of power with Strict Liability. The law puts paid to the 'might is right' attitude that most embrace or accept in SA.

 

Nobody wastes 1kb of forum space shouting into the void at some cyclist they rode past last week who took up their own lane. Delayed drivers wait patiently for cyclists move aside and go about their business. The rest of Europe is pretty similar. Even the Italians display a level of patience that would be replaced by a symphony of hooting and swearing here.

 

This is Africa not Europe.

[Lucky Luke.]

This is Africa not Europe.

 

So are you preaching apathy? Why start the thread? I thought we were here to debate a way forward.

 

Your original post explains how a car overtakes in the face of oncoming traffic, but then puts the blame on the cyclist it overtook.

 

Because 'this is Africa' the negligent cyclist must foot the bill for homicidal driving? Nobody forced the driver to cross into oncoming traffic.

 

What's really missing is respect for human life on the part of those with the power to take it away.

 

Dutch laws may be beyond our reach today, but it only takes a couple of braincells to take note of the example they set, and implement it as a personal attitude adjustment.

 

However, I would argue that most here, in SA and on this 'cycling community' forum, are unwilling to make that leap. I don't see much in the way of altrusitic intentions from yourself and others who repeatedly post this type of thread. It's usually all about hurling abuse at our fellow 'Idiotic cyclists' as you so helpfully put it. Much safer and more fun to bang on and on here behind the keyboard than while it's happening.

 

It's ingrained in our culture that the little guys need to GTFO of our way when we are driving our big shiny penis extensions down OUR roads.

[Captain K'nuckles]

 

 

So are you preaching apathy? Why start the thread? I thought we were here to debate a way forward.

 

Your original post explains how a car overtakes in the face of oncoming traffic, but then puts the blame on the cyclist it overtook.

 

Because 'this is Africa' the negligent cyclist must foot the bill for homicidal driving? Nobody forced the driver to cross into oncoming traffic.

 

What's really missing is respect for human life on the part of those with the power to take it away.

 

Dutch laws may be beyond our reach today, but it only takes a couple of braincells to take note of the example they set, and implement it as a personal attitude adjustment.

 

However, I would argue that most here, in SA and on this 'cycling community' forum, are unwilling to make that leap. I don't see much in the way of altrusitic intentions from yourself and others who repeatedly post this type of thread. It's usually all about hurling abuse at our fellow 'Idiotic cyclists' as you so helpfully put it. Much safer and more fun to bang on and on here behind the keyboard than while it's happening.

 

It's ingrained in our culture that the little guys need to GTFO of our way when we are driving our big shiny penis extensions down OUR roads.

 

You make a very good point there. The ability to apply restraint in a situation where someone else , who is more vulnerable than you, is transgressing is surely something to strive for. I don't think the average driver in SA is able to act so maturely.

[fabes]

 

 

I don't think the average driver in SA is able to act so maturely.

And neither the average cyclist by the looks of things

[Wyatt Earp]

So are you preaching apathy? Why start the thread? I thought we were here to debate a way forward.

 

Your original post explains how a car overtakes in the face of oncoming traffic, but then puts the blame on the cyclist it overtook.

 

Because 'this is Africa' the negligent cyclist must foot the bill for homicidal driving? Nobody forced the driver to cross into oncoming traffic.

 

What's really missing is respect for human life on the part of those with the power to take it away.

 

Dutch laws may be beyond our reach today, but it only takes a couple of braincells to take note of the example they set, and implement it as a personal attitude adjustment.

 

However, I would argue that most here, in SA and on this 'cycling community' forum, are unwilling to make that leap. I don't see much in the way of altrusitic intentions from yourself and others who repeatedly post this type of thread. It's usually all about hurling abuse at our fellow 'Idiotic cyclists' as you so helpfully put it. Much safer and more fun to bang on and on here behind the keyboard than while it's happening.

 

It's ingrained in our culture that the little guys need to GTFO of our way when we are driving our big shiny penis extensions down OUR roads.

 

You are singing the same old song, I will say it again, this is Africa.

[Captain K'nuckles]

And neither the average cyclist by the looks of things

 

Which speaks to my previous point. No one party is without blame for the carnage on our roads.

[Eldron]

Me - I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle...

 

If cyclists keep riding like idiots cars are less likely to value our lives more - if motorists are constantly having to take evasive action because of cyclists they're going to treat ALL cyclists with aggression.

 

Perhaps "naming and shaming" on the internet is not the most efficient method to "assist" riders in taking responsibility for their actions but I don't see it doing any harm.

 

A pic is always nicer because then at least club managers/road marshalls etc have some ammunition to use on their riders (assuming they can be iedntified).

 

The europe model is great but in SA CAR IS KING! Riding like a tosser is only going to reinforce that sentiment.

 

I'd like to believe there is a carhub out there where drivers driving like idiots are also "outed" on their hub but I don't reckon that'll happen anytime soon...

[SwissVan]

Its those humans sitting behind the steering wheel and them humans sitting on the saddle

 

Humans and the consideration gene, i think its the missing gene

[Spinnekop]

The completely obvious difference is that a stupid cyclist stands to come off much worse than a stupid motorist. No cyclist willfully enters the flow of traffic and tempts a car to flatten them into the tarmac whilst shouting 'it's my right to be stupid!!!'.

 

Give me a million 'stupid cyclists' over a hundred stupid drivers any day. Stupid cyclists need education and assistance in preserving their own lives. Stupid drivers feel entitled to their attitude and are often beyond caring.

 

The Dutch recognise this obvious imbalance of power with Strict Liability. The law puts paid to the 'might is right' attitude that most embrace or accept in SA.

 

Nobody wastes 1kb of forum space shouting into the void at some cyclist they rode past last week who took up their own lane. Delayed drivers wait patiently for cyclists move aside and go about their business. The rest of Europe is pretty similar. Even the Italians display a level of patience that would be replaced by a symphony of hooting and swearing here.

 

Best post I have seen in a very, VERY long time.

[Wipeout2]

I see your point but I believe still we have bigger enemies out there, ie STUPID motorist

Just for clarity sake, around a stupid motorist (besides the obvious), is a stupid motorist, one that hoots and gets highly annoyed when confronted with a group of cyclists cycling down the road 2 or 3 abreast (single lane) blocking traffic....."forcing" certain motorists to cross a solid line (2 wheels) to overtake.

 

Whose stupid, the motorist or the cyclists?

[Lucky Luke.]

 

Perhaps "naming and shaming" on the internet is not the most efficient method to "assist" riders in taking responsibility for their actions but I don't see it doing any harm.

 

A pic is always nicer because then at least club managers/road marshalls etc have some ammunition to use on their riders (assuming they can be iedntified).

 

Yes, I agree here, I feel we really only need one thread for the 'own worst enemy' posts and pictures or video should be mandatory. Even then, the value of the posts may be negligble when compared to stopping the car and politely engaging the people concerned.

 

One thing I'm sure of is that, without context - pics, names, clubs etc - the threads offer no value and just go round and round in circles.

 

 

Where the hub is concerned, if we really are a representative SA 'cycling community' as stated earlier, and one that has any interest in cyclist safety, surely we ought to have a couple of pinned threads for interested parties and newbies, that deal with how to ride safely and responsibly on the road?

 

We have the bikejacking safety info, which is great, but I don't think there's anything about the main risk that we face, namely the traffic.

[Lucky Luke.]

You are singing the same old song, I will say it again, this is Africa.

 

It's a shame that you're so comfortable with such a negative and boring old cliche that does the place you call home such a disservice.

[Eldron]

Yes, I agree here, I feel we really only need one thread for the 'own worst enemy' posts and pictures or video should be mandatory. Even then, the value of the posts may be negligble when compared to stopping the car and politely engaging the people concerned.

 

One thing I'm sure of is that, without context - pics, names, clubs etc - the threads offer no value and just go round and round in circles.

 

 

Where the hub is concerned, if we really are a representative SA 'cycling community' as stated earlier, and one that has any interest in cyclist safety, surely we ought to have a couple of pinned threads for interested parties and newbies, that deal with how to ride safely and responsibly on the road?

 

We have the bikejacking safety info, which is great, but I don't think there's anything about the main risk that we face, namely the traffic.

 

Yup - that I'll agree with. One thread for outting *** riders (and drivers!) should be enough.

 

Like someone else said - we seem to enjoy attacking each other more than the problem...

 

My favourite is when people respond to pics of offending riders with "did you take that pic whilst dirivng - it's illegal!!".

 

I still reckon the biggest reason for poor driving/riding is the "f*ck you mate - I'm ok" attitude that seems to be so popular thses days. If a car toots the horn behind riders he gets a slew of middle fingers. If a riders strays a few cm from the curb he gets a 5 second blast of the horn.

 

How do we put the humane back in humanity?

[Wipeout2]

It's a shame that you're so comfortable with such a negative and boring old cliche that does the place you call home such a disservice.

Unfortunetly though LL it's the truth. Our wonderfull place where we live, robots that don't get repaired for weeks, no more lines on the roads, potholes, excavations not repaired, barriers gone in some places, yellow lane used as a normal traffic lane, too name a few (this is just my route to work)....I think most of us try to remain positive, but it aint easy.