What is being done (and what are you doing) for safety

[Guest Smimby]

so should we be lobbying to make it legal for a bicycle to travel in the yellow lane then?

That would be fantastic then we are not breaking a law, and we could ask if we can ride side by side (in the yellow lane ONLY) 

 

If people then know that we / must ride there and are allowed to ride side by side maybe they will hate us just little less

[GoLefty!!]

I chatted to Liz at PPA this afternoon. PPA has been negotiating with all parties to get signs up where needed around construction sites as well developing a driver education campaign.

 

She did reiterate that if you have grave concerns about sections of road there is a clear and present danger to cyclists that you send her "a strongly wordd email" outlining these concerns.

 

i can understand the red tape they have work through so its difficult to get these measures in place in as short a time as is needed so we have to do our part here.

 

send email to liz@pedalpower.org.za

 

please no ranting to her, just a "strongly" worded email. leave the foreign tongues out of it.

 

In the mean time I'd like to advise my brothers and sisters in the bike to ride defensively. Through the construction section in Clovelly i use the lane and when the motorist gets uptight I just smile and wave.

 

Going to do some research about how i can a proposal for banning the heavy vehicle traffic through that section of raod as these vehicles constitute a danger to the public at large.

[GoLefty!!]

Why does the PPA not START with a campaign at the MYCITI and GOLDEN ARROW bus depots. Lobby the heck out of the Management structure there until they get drivers to sit a Q & A session and get all these issues discussed.

 

Once that is done take that model into the companies servicing the transport at the CT harbour and then some of the main construction companies with fleets of construction vehicles. Start spreading this to the people who need to hear it most and get their Management to buy into the aims of this initiative!

 

 

apparently they have a driver training programme in the making. If you're close to the EXCO or Liz mayeb get her to get on the social media and tell everyone whats going on.

 

I beleive some money can be spent on educational movies and some tv air time. There was some brilliant infomercials in the US and Britain

 

so lets devot some energy into getting the information out there rather than moaning about CSA cos I really give a hoot if CSA exists or doesn't.

[Slowbee]

Give this man a bottle of Bells!!

how we going to get the small little bells in the bottle ?

[Icycling]

For me this new 1m rule has made the roads less safe. When the rule was put in the Western Cape Gov Gazette a further rule was added as a concession to road rules:  Despite any solid barrier line or other road traffic sign prohibiting encroachment upon the right-hand side of the road, the driver of a motor vehicle on a public road may, where the roadway is not wide enough to comply with sub regulation (1)(b) or © when passing a cyclist, encroach on that part of the road to his or her right

Basically now it in the hand of the drive (who maybe on their cell ph / changing radio channel etc) and not the road engineers to decide whether the road is safe to overtake on. This was not the case before the 1 m law was put in the Western Cape Government gazette - I have already question if the 1m law was not already a concession for motor vehicle as the previous law was when 1 vehicle when overtaking another vehicle should do so in a separate lane. Bicycles are vehicles on RSA roads. Unfortunately all the original rules were not enforced and why would I believe the new 1m law with all the extra concession be enforced?

The accident earlier this week happened where their is a solid barrier line and I suspect, but have not had this confirmed yet, that the accident today was on a stretch of road with a solid barrier line.

[carbon29er]

For me this new 1m rule has made the roads less safe. When the rule was put in the Western Cape Gov Gazette a further rule was added as a concession to road rules:  Despite any solid barrier line or other road traffic sign prohibiting encroachment upon the right-hand side of the road, the driver of a motor vehicle on a public road may, where the roadway is not wide enough to comply with sub regulation (1)(b) or © when passing a cyclist, encroach on that part of the road to his or her right

 

Basically now it in the hand of the drive (who maybe on their cell ph / changing radio channel etc) and not the road engineers to decide whether the road is safe to overtake on. This was not the case before the 1 m law was put in the Western Cape Government gazette - I have already question if the 1m law was not already a concession for motor vehicle as the previous law was when 1 vehicle when overtaking another vehicle should do so in a separate lane. Bicycles are vehicles on RSA roads. Unfortunately all the original rules were not enforced and why would I believe the new 1m law with all the extra concession be enforced?

 

The accident earlier this week happened where their is a solid barrier line and I suspect, but have not had this confirmed yet, that the accident today was on a stretch of road with a solid barrier line.

Before this law came into being 37 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads.  In 2014 with this new law 23 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads. Although enforcement is still far from desirable and more can be done.

 

Peter, from all the information I have been able to collate, both accidents this week happened on a section of the road where the road was restricted and in both cases the following vehicle ignored the cyclist's rights to occupy a part of the road and attempted to overtake where it was not possible to do so safely.  In both cases the result was a tragic loss of life.  Absolutely nothing to do with solid white lines.

[Icycling]

Before this law came into being 37 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads.  In 2014 with this new law 23 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads. Although enforcement is still far from desirable and more can be done.

 

Peter, from all the information I have been able to collate, both accidents this week happened on a section of the road where the road was restricted and in both cases the following vehicle ignored the cyclist's rights to occupy a part of the road and attempted to overtake where it was not possible to do so safely.  In both cases the result was a tragic loss of life.  Absolutely nothing to do with solid white lines.

If their is a solid white line the road engineers with all their expertise have decided that at that point on the road for whatever reason (road to narrow / cresting a hill / low speed limit etc) it is not safe to overtake! The bottom line is motorist should never be given the opportunity to override that rule - but now with a cyclist they are! This is deadly. The sooner this new concession (overtaking a cyclist on a by going to the right of a solid white line) is removed from the Western Cape Gov gazette the safer the road will become again. If not safer an extra charge against the drive!

[Bloukrans]

Slowbee, it's a well known fact in life that people are more likely to use things they pay for than they get for free. The new shirts are being sold near as dammit as cost as we want as many as is humanly possible to wear them. Go to any cycling shop and see what a top quality cycling jersey costs.  Or go to enjoy sports website and see what jerseys cost.

 

The jerseys are part of a wider NATIONAL campaign, PPA is spending R2.5 million over a 4 week period leading up to the cycle tour on this campaign. We have engaged with the authorities and, while I believe we are making progress, these deaths this week are particularly offensive to me as both the roads where highlighted and targeted by us for attention by the authorities.  Both occurred in a roadwork section where the road width has been reduced.

 

Unfortunately it is those that are trying to do something about the issue that are picking up the flak.

 

For Wannabe and Bloukrans to use these forums to attack me and the work being coordinated by me as part of a well thought-out and targeted campaign funded by PPA is pretty unnecessary and uncalled for. It reflects more on their nature than me.

 

Despite these short-sighted attacks on PPA's motives, safe cycling is an area that needs most attention in increasing the popularity of cycling in SA and it is an are that will continue to receive funding.

Carbon if you can show me the posts where I attacked you I will apologise in person and buy a PPA jersey even though I don't like yellow. I seem to recall that I asked questions and even thanked you for your snotty reply. No hard feelings mate.

[LeTurbo]

I've recently made a bit of a resolution. The thing is, one day I was sitting in the car and thinking, "Do I have to learn to drive all over again?". Because I was watching the cars at the intersection just filling it up, no regard for anyone else, no regard for the lights changing, no regard for anyone but themselves. And I'll admit I've been guilty of it too. So now I'm sticking with the rules.

I won't enter an intersection unless it's clear on the other side.

I won't move into the yellow lane, even if there's another car right up my backside.

I definitely will look at the road lines, and not cross a solid line under any circumstances.

I will allow pedestrians to cross first, as is their right. 

I will wave other cars into the traffic, because I'm not the most important person in the world.

I won't exceed the speed limit.

 

Ah hell, it's small stuff. But maybe I can start being the change I'd like to see. Maybe it just sends the right vibes into the Universe.

[Brent]

Before this law came into being 37 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads.  In 2014 with this new law 23 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads. Although enforcement is still far from desirable and more can be done.

 

Way too many in anyones language especially in the city which "promotes cycling" and has the largest timed fun ride in the world !

[Hairy]

I've recently made a bit of a resolution. The thing is, one day I was sitting in the car and thinking, "Do I have to learn to drive all over again?". Because I was watching the cars at the intersection just filling it up, no regard for anyone else, no regard for the lights changing, no regard for anyone but themselves. And I'll admit I've been guilty of it too. So now I'm sticking with the rules.

I won't enter an intersection unless it's clear on the other side.

I won't move into the yellow lane, even if there's another car right up my backside.

I definitely will look at the road lines, and not cross a solid line under any circumstances.

I will allow pedestrians to cross first, as is their right.

I will wave other cars into the traffic, because I'm not the most important person in the world.

I won't exceed the speed limit.

 

Ah hell, it's small stuff. But maybe I can start being the change I'd like to see. Maybe it just sends the right vibes into the Universe.

Small things Le Turbo are often the biggest things.

 

the real problem is not driver's, but society.

[Uni]

 

This memorial could show the number of unfortunate cycling souls lost on our roads and be updated weekly/monthly. Perhaps when people out there (who aren't on the hub) start seeing the number of unfortunate and certainly unnecessary deaths, they might take note of their actions on the road and be a bit more courteous to cyclists.

 .

I agree that it's something that needs to be kept fresh in the minds of all road users. In GP there was a young girl that died in a car wreck and her mom agreed to let the car be left on the side of the road as a reminder. Too often we are horrified, angry for brief moments and then we move on until the next fatality.

 

In terms of a memorial, is there a public space - thinking wall or side of a building where images can be projected. I'm thinking along the lines of the SARS billboards that has a dynamic counter as people submit their efiling it ticks over - of course a billboard would be too costly, but using a projector or some other digital means to show a count of lives lost that's easy to update might have some staying power to enforce the message of sharing the roads safely. Logistics and practicality issues - Just a thought, a seed.

 

It seems like there's been a fatality nearly every day this week.

[Bloukrans]

I'm still waiting for carbon29er to respond to my post above at #56

[Tubehunter]

I'm still waiting for carbon29er to respond to my post above at #56

 

Blou, I think one thing the hub is really good at is open debate, but this strength can also be our weakness when each person is debating in order to feel validated or allowing our individual emotions to get the better of us and spill over into our comments.

 

In the midst of all of things already discussed here, we should recognise a key difference. That being the majority of us participating will all only ever be voicing opinions, however strong our intentions may be. Whatever carbon and the PPA say carries weight behind their opinion as they are layering this on top of action. We may not all like the action they are choosing and justify many of the reasons we do not want to participate ourselves, but ultimately ANY action is better than none! 

 

Thanks to a healthy debate on this topic with my SO tonight, who argued the PPA case in the best way possible, I see what carbon was attempting to get across wrt the ride on the 28th. Yes, there is an awareness ride on that date and as much as we as cyclists would like to just participate as a show of our solidarity towards safety, the real motivation for this particular ride is to launch the updated stay wider campaign, which will be aimed at a National level to promote further cycling safety measures. Obviously with the context of that message attempting to make an impact in all forms of media and elsewhere the strength in numbers for the campaign comes from cyclists showing unity to the cause by being associated to it and the easiest and only way to do that, is to purchase and wear the shirt for the ride, whether we like lumo yellow or not or any other reasons we may have for not wanting to wear it!

[DJR]

Hi Carbon29er

Please know that many people appreciate the safety campaigns that the PPA ran in the past and the one that you are launching at the moment. I see nobody else getting up and doing anything even remotely on the same scale (other than blowing hot air). The effectiveness or the method can be debated, but the fact remains that you are DOING something. 

 

This week, with the ghastly death of several riders, must be particularly horrible for you. Focus on your goal and keep doing what you are doing. It might well prevent future deaths, even years from now. We have to start sooner or later. You have many supporters in this regard. 

 

I will be there for the awareness ride, and I have bought 4 jerseys for my family. Personally, they clash horribly with my bike, but if it helps, or it scorches the retinas of just 1 truck driver, I'll just have to soak it up.

[DJR]

Now, back to the title of this thread: What can we do about safety?

 

1. Support PPA and their "stay wider of the rider" campaign countrywide. Most of us don't have to do anything other than to perhaps show up for an awareness ride. Personally I like riding an awareness ride a hell of a lot better than a memorial ride for a dead friend. Buy the lumo jersey and go show solidarity. A 5000 strong ride means much more to impress the authorities and the public than a 500 strong one. Strength in numbers.

 

2. Driver education and awareness, especially of bus and truck drivers. Perhaps the PPA can engage MyCity, Golden Arrow and some of the big tour bus operators and run a couple of advanced driving courses. I approached one of the tour bus companies a few years back after several close shaves on Chapman Peak. As a result, they made cyclist awareness part of their in-house training for drivers. I like to think that it might have helped a small bit. Later perhaps also engage the driving schools to include more cycle awareness in their training?

 

3. Review current legislation and motivate politicians to change it to improve our safety. The offensive regulation Icycling mentions can be changed. Again, big organisations have more clout than individuals, but there is nothing wrong with e-mailing your local councillor or minister of transport to within an inch of their lives.

 

4. Demand more cycle lanes! Main Road Muizenberg to Fish Hoek should have had a cycle lane, plain and simple. But the planners ditched it in favour of a sidewalk and parking. We as cyclists missed out because we were not there in force at the right time at the right place to demand a cycle lane. Several deaths along this stretch will be a constant reminder of that mistake. We should not let it happen again.