Cyclist on N1 between John Voster and Botha

[Tonton]

Yeah that bit - better to take the single track next to the wall - or actually stick to the tarr when the cars are stop-starting.

[Spinnekop]

Bad for image of cycling. 

But like Sean said.  Free thinking hey.

So what happens 800 commuters start riding on the N1 on their bicycles everyday and see if it helps convince government that it will help the "traffic problem".

 

I can do with less trafic on the road and safer cycling enviroment!!

[Marius]

The traffic on N1 between Durbanville and CapeTown is sooooo slow it'll be very safe going on you Bicycle...it'll also be a lot of fun passing the cars, I think we should try and get a big group of cyclists and just go ride it every day to and from work. Maybe Goverment will wake up and build some cycling lanes..

[fandacious]

or lock you for cycling on the high way

[IanC]

Maybe someone must try and convince the government to build a cycling only route between Pta and Jhb. And maybe from the east to Sandton.

Will see how many people start riding then.

[Sean Badenhorst]

 

Reminds me of a time long, long ago when I lived in Pinetown (near Durban). Would join the Westville Cycling Club crowd for the early morning weekday rides. Thursday mornings was a ride to Hillcrest but not up the M13 highway, rather up the N3 freeway! We'd join the N3 from a few km before the Marianhill Toll Plaza and then begin what I think was about a 9km climb. We'd ride through the toll gate, taking the (sometimes irate) toll attendants by surprise and then race to the top of the Assegay/Shongweni offramp.

Damn good training! There'd usually be a couple of cars but we'd ride in the wide emergency lane and always felt safe.

Of course that was when I was very young and knew everything.

 

Sean Badenhorst2008-02-14 06:45:24

[casspir]

Big H (the resident road builder) mentioned something like speed differential that does not allow bicycles on freeways. 

But I am of the opinion that a cyclist on a wide open dual lane road with a broad emergency lane could be more safe than along a normal road with maybe a small yellow section.  Negotiating the crossing of on- and off-ramps might be some challenge.  Speed limit is not higher on freeways. 

Maybe Big H can embroider on this. 

Big H?

 

regards,

 

casspir

[Bateleur1]

The problem is casspir, that due to all the other law abiding citizens in this country, the emergency lane tends to be the fast lane.

[Guest Big H]

Other than the law that does not allow you to ride on a freeway .... ie a road with overbridges and on and off ramps the so called speed differential between a car moving at 210km/h (Holy Roller in his BMW) and a bicycle at 3,723 km/h (man with no name going uphill) is obvious and can be the cause of horrendous collisions. Yes I do agree the same can happen on single lane roads but there is no law prohibiting one against using these roads.

 

The main reason why I canvass for NOT using freeways is that if you are in an accident you are there illegally. If your insurance company is wise they will not pay your medical bill (if any), they will not pay your life insurance neither will they pay your all risks insurance. That means that, if you survive the fracas, you will be responsible for some very high costs, if you do not survive, your grief stricken family will be without any money. Not a very responsible thing to do, riding illegally on freeways.

 

Sean ............... the "irate" Toll Officials are angry only because a bicycle does activate the magnetic coil under the asphalt and records you as a vehicle. The poor "irate" official has to pay in the difference.

[Sean Badenhorst]

Sean ............... the "irate" Toll Officials are angry only because

a bicycle does activate the magnetic coil under the asphalt and records

you as a vehicle. The poor "irate" official has to pay in the

difference.

 

Thanks for this Big H. Like I said, I was young and knew everything! I definitely feel remorse now. However thinking back, while those rides were risky, they were actually priceless.

 

[Nancy Drew]

I'm not in any way condoning him riding on a freeway but I reckon he got home a lot quicker than those in cars. And probably entered his house with sweat on his brow and a smile on his face... Pity more people don't use bicycles for daily transport...

 

SB, I agree, it is a pity.  I used to commute daily until I was hit (or rather side-swiped) by a speeding motorist.  I was fortunate enough to get away with scrapes & bruises, but my confidence took a serious knock and since then I have joined the millions of motorists that queue up on the N1 every day.

 

I'd rather live to ride my MTB on weekends.

[madmarc]

sigh!!!! these flippin pretoria cyclists when will they learn siiiigh!!!!!!