Ghia10 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Hi guys.. I'm relatively new to the cycling world, but was shocked when it came to cycling on the road. Motorists are rather frightening and I was wondering why?
DIPSLICK Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 mostly motorists are asses to each other why expect any difference towards a small bike also there are a few cyclists who give more than enough excuses for motorists to hate us but look around you its nothing personal people are generally unaccepting of others THIS IS AFRICA YOU NEED TO BE ALERT, MAKE EYE CONTACT ALWAYS, AND EXPECT ANYTHING
Kranswurm Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Hi guys.. I'm relatively new to the cycling world, but was shocked when it came to cycling on the road. Motorists are rather frightening and I was wondering why?Its in their job description
MTB-BFK Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 popcorn oil is warming up, coffee poured, let the games begin!
Patchelicious Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Lets not forget, cyclists are motorist too.
DJR Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Hi guys.. I'm relatively new to the cycling world, but was shocked when it came to cycling on the road. Motorists are rather frightening and I was wondering why?Hi, I'm relatively old to cycling, and I'm shocked too........ The basics of safely riding on the road are: 1. Make yourself very VISIBLE. Bright lumo green is best, bright flashing lights front and back, in daylight too. Spend good money on good lights. 2. Ride defensively. Anticipate what drivers are going to do. Use your "spidey sense" to think ahead. It is a mind-set.3. Ride predictably. So that drivers will know what you are going to do. Use hand signals.4. Avoid narrow roads with heavy traffic. Avoid bus and truck routes as far as you can. Avoid roads where speeds are very high.5. In a narrow road where there is too little space for a car to pass you, take up the whole lane by riding in the middle of it. Move over as soon it is safe to let cars pass.6. Avoid times of day when you are difficult to see. Against the sunrise or sunset that will blind drivers. Careful on East / West roads.7. Ride in groups. It makes you more visible. Also make you less likely to be mugged.8. Ride quieter roads with wide shoulders and less traffic. Back roads are often safer than major ones. Back streets to commute often safer than straight busy ones.9. If you have to, drive your car to where the safer roads start. (I often do this from where I live because the traffic is just mayhem)10. Obey the traffic laws. Don't ride on freeways. Stop at red traffic lights. Improve the image of cyclists.11. Use Sunday races to train because marshals and traffic police help make it safer12. Don't get angry, don't pick fights. Ask the regular commuters. You will always lose if you lose your cool. My 12c worth, in case it helps someone
HappyMartin Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 At any moment on the road you could get splattered. That the deal. Having said that I have done about 10 hours a week on the road this entire year. In all that time I have had two vehicles overtake me a little to close for comfort. I have had one car hoot at me. That's it. Not bad I reckon. I average more incidents than that a day in my bakkie. I put it down to choosing the safest routes I can, not riding in big groups, being very defensive and staying off the roads at peak times.
mudda Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 In 1st world counties pedestrians / cyclists are treated with respect. They know that they may be very important people, and laws are obeyed. Right of way is given to pedestrians/cyclists . In 3rd world countries they are treated as a nuisance interrupting their drive, traffic laws are not obeyed, pedestrians and cyclists are not respected. Right of way is taken from pedestrians/cyclists, Do this test, at a green traffic light walk across as a pedestrian, if a car is turning, see if they stop to let you walk over.
Ghia10 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Posted March 30, 2015 Its in their job descriptionBut has it always been like this?
Ghia10 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Posted March 30, 2015 Lets not forget, cyclists are motorist too.That's exactly why I find it so strange!
HappyMartin Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 In 1st world counties pedestrians / cyclists are treated with respect. They know that they may be very important people, and laws are obeyed. Right of way is given to pedestrians/cyclists . In 3rd world countries they are treated as a nuisance interrupting their drive, traffic laws are not obeyed, pedestrians and cyclists are not respected. Right of way is taken from pedestrians/cyclists, Do this test, at a green traffic light walk across as a pedestrian, if a car is turning, see if they stop to let you walk over. Not nearly so simple as first world third world. I lived in Ft Lauderdale for six months and did a daily 22 mile commute. Was ridden off the road repeatedly. Had to change my route every few days because of people trying to rip me off my bike. Was told on numerous occasions that bicycles weren't allowed on the road despite the law actually forbidding bikes on the sidewalk. Also rode in Malawi, pretty third world I would say. Treated with respect for the most part while on a bike. Like I say. Not third world versus first world. Something else going on. All the gentle folks on the motoring forums in SA that advocate riding cyclists over also love going on about how third world SA has become. They see themselves as inherently first world but due to unfortunate circumstances are forced to endure this "third World Hell" yet they have no respect for pedestrians or cyclists. Explain that one if you can.
Starvin' Marvin Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 That's exactly why I find it so strange! Put someone behind a steering wheel and the Hyde personality makes its appearance. Very strange indeed.
Headshot Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Many many cyclists get taken out in the UK and elsewhere too - its not just an SA thing. The problem is too few motorists cycle as well. When I had a motorcycle I developed an appreciation for how dangerous a car driven carelessly can be - its the same for cyclists. Sadly, the majority of motorists never see it from the other side and never learn or change. Then there's also just the inherent risk of sharing the road with a much bigger, faster vehicle. You can make a mistake in a car and both parties walk away with a panel beaters bill. Do the same to a bike and the rider can end up seriously damaged or dead. This is why I choose to ride on the road as little as possible.
scotty Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 As a motorist you must have encountered cyclist, was it not equally shocking and frightening how some of them rode.
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