Phatman Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Safety starts with us, our attitudes, our mindset. If a car knocks us, we get hurt, we die, not the drivers. Do we ride 2/3 abreast? Do we jump red traffic lights? Are we considerate of other drivers, as we expect them to be considerate of us? Do we ensure that we're always visible?Regarding the last point, I was almost side swiped by a guy a few months back as he pulled out of a side street. He only noticed what happened after other pedestrians yelled at him and he checked his mirror. He stopped me and apologised, and said he genuinely didn't notice me, despite my bike and clothing being white. I've since fitted 2 lights to my rear, on different strobe frequencies, and I always ride with my headlight on. It's amazing how much more space I get since doing that.
DJR Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Safety starts with us, our attitudes, our mindset. If a car knocks us, we get hurt, we die, not the drivers. Do we ride 2/3 abreast? Do we jump red traffic lights? Are we considerate of other drivers, as we expect them to be considerate of us? Do we ensure that we're always visible?Regarding the last point, I was almost side swiped by a guy a few months back as he pulled out of a side street. He only noticed what happened after other pedestrians yelled at him and he checked his mirror. He stopped me and apologised, and said he genuinely didn't notice me, despite my bike and clothing being white. I've since fitted 2 lights to my rear, on different strobe frequencies, and I always ride with my headlight on. It's amazing how much more space I get since doing that.Amen to all you said above I have had exactly the same response re. using bright flashing back & front lights all hours of the day, not just at dawn & dusk.
GoLefty!! Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 I get a lot of stick from one of the female riders in our group because I use my headlight in strobe and tail light even in bright sunlight. Really don't give a hoot what she thinks because I mostly get a wide berth from cars and their drivers. Its just the damn busses and trucks that need some education.......and SUV drivers. Which leaves me wondering if its not the elevated driving position that's the issue at play here. Even though bus drivers just seem to not care whether they drive over you or not
mazambaan Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Apologies for all the quotes but Carbon noted: "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." I think PPA should follow up with the authorities and vehicle owner/driver to ensure that discipline or prosecution follows. With all that loot PPA could employ a person full time with a GoPro type camera to pick out offenders. Like that guy in the UK. Some random reading indicated that in London, HGV's may be responsible for something like 40% of rider deaths. PPA should spend money educating operators of truck and buses. Another UK study quoted seemed to indicate that there was no correlation between accidents and dark clothing. A post on the other thread shows that positive action works: "I commute daily from the 'Burbs to the CBD and had a near fatal incident with a one ton truck yesterday. The vehicle was conspicuously branded, so I took pic at the traffic light and contacted the business via email. The operations manager and the owner contacted me directly within minutes, offered an unconditional apology and a promise that their drivers will be formally disciplined and educated on how to interact with a vulnerable road user. Kudo's to Mark and Mischa from Dampmen for their very positive and professional response."
Tatt Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Howdy I drive a 110, and have been crashed into 'because they didn't see my vehicle'. It has also been crashed into when parked for the exact same reason. Cape Town drivers in general are completely blind or oblivious to other road users. Riding home through Obs yesterday I was also smacked by a Corsa who want to turn left at a robot.. Instead of waiting a couple of seconds she kindly hooted to let me know that she was about to try kill me by cutting me off. In then end it doesn't matter how many laws you have in place if people just ignore them or if they aren't policed. I have also taken your advice today and bought a strobe light for both front and rear. Tom I get a lot of stick from one of the female riders in our group because I use my headlight in strobe and tail light even in bright sunlight. Really don't give a hoot what she thinks because I mostly get a wide berth from cars and their drivers. Its just the damn busses and trucks that need some education.......and SUV drivers. Which leaves me wondering if its not the elevated driving position that's the issue at play here. Even though bus drivers just seem to not care whether they drive over you or not
carbon29er Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 A fairly visual reflection of our approach in targeting motorists to be more aware of us cyclists can be found on Wheels 24 at the moment http://www.wheels24.co.za/
Cog Masher Posted March 2, 2015 Posted March 2, 2015 Any reason why the warning signs (in favour of cyclists) have been removed from the Clovelly / Kalk bay road works section where the road narrows???They were there for a while in either direction and now no more....
DJR Posted March 2, 2015 Posted March 2, 2015 Any reason why the warning signs (in favour of cyclists) have been removed from the Clovelly / Kalk bay road works section where the road narrows???They were there for a while in either direction and now no more....Perhaps the time for a guerilla sign campaign has come? You know, magical signs mysteriously appearing overnight!
Delgado Posted March 2, 2015 Posted March 2, 2015 And when a Cyclist asks if he can join the official PPA AWARENESS ride on the 28th in his own kit, he gets a snotty reply from an elected PPA official AND FELLOW CYCLIST that he must be in the new PPA kit which cost R400.00, otherwise he'll be nothing more than a pirate rider!! I was going to join this ride to show solidarity, driving from the Northern Burbs, but agter this reply, I'm rather gonna go ride my Mtb on "our" trails where I'm safe from cars / trucks / busses driving over me. Off Topic, I know, but still pertinentCannot see the link other than to exploit a quick R400...
DJR Posted March 2, 2015 Posted March 2, 2015 The important question is this": WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO IMPROVE CYCLING SAFETY? Not "what is government doing?" or "what is CSA doing?" or "what is the PPA doing?" Moan & groan? Bitch on the www? Think about what YOU can do! And then JUST DO IT! Do it from RIGHT NOW! Do not wait for anyone else to do something first! Don't make excuses! How about starting to obey all traffic laws when you drive and when you ride? All the time, every time. Including speed limits. Including red traffic lights. How about supporting someone elses safety campaign? Not just criticizing it. Or start your own campaign if you want. Write to the newspaper. Be constructive. Just DO SOMETING POSITIVE!
GoLefty!! Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I find when i use hand signals timeously I get more co operation from all except psychopath golden arrow and my city bus drivers. Oh and the other blind species the often spotted soccer mom suv pilot
DJR Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I find when i use hand signals timeously I get more co operation from all except psychopath golden arrow and my city bus drivers. Oh and the other blind species the often spotted soccer mom suv pilotYou forgot Polo drivers. They seem to want to play polo with cyclists.
Albatross Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Made a safety presentation to my colleagues at our weekly meeting on the topic of wider of the rider, brought up quite a bit of discussion but what was clear was the ignorance of the actual legislation. At least my work buddies are now aware. My small contribution to the cause
DJR Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Made a safety presentation to my colleagues at our weekly meeting on the topic of wider of the rider, brought up quite a bit of discussion but what was clear was the ignorance of the actual legislation. At least my work buddies are now aware. My small contribution to the cause You get my proverbial Bells sir! You DID something! May many more follow your example!
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