This is why motorists get annoyed

[Hairy]

The problem is, it doesnt matter.

 

Cyclists do not have the oppertunity to stop motorists and give them a powerpoint presentation about why they are riding like they do.

 

What these are cyclists are are doing in the eyes of 99% of the population is "riding like they own the road".

 

It is unfortunate, but thats what people see. These guys should have been riding single file in that situation.

what scares me is that I am "liking" more and more of your posts!

[MTBeer]

Have you been drinking this morning, because you're all over the place.

 

Some NRTA goodies for you:

 

178. Lamps on pedal cycle

(1) A pedal cycle may be fitted in front with a lamp emitting a white light, the intense part of the beam of which shall, when such pedal cycle is on a reasonably level road, strike the surface ahead of suchpedal cycle at a distance of not less than three metres and not more than 30 metres.

(2) A pedal cycle may be fitted with one or more lamps emitting a red light directly to the rear.

 

186. White retro-reflectors to be fitted on front of certain vehicles

...

(3) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the front of such cycle a white retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192.

 

192. Unlawful use of reflector or reflective material

...

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1) the pedals, pedal arms or spokes of a pedal cycle shall, if such cycle is operated on a public road during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres, be fitted with yellow or white reflectors or reflective material.

 

201. Warning devices

(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 58(3)and 60 of the Act, no person shall operate on a public road -

...

(b) a pedal cycle, unless it is equipped with an efficient warning device which is in good working order and, when used, capable of giving adequate warning of its approach;

 

207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

...

(2) After expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet which fits him or her properly and of which the chin straps is properly fastened under the chin.

 

311. Riding on pedal cycles

(1) No person shall ride a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such pedal cycle.

(2) Persons riding pedal cycles on a public road shall ride in single file except in the course of overtaking another pedal cycle, and two or more persons riding pedal cycles shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time.

(3) No person riding or seated on a pedal cycle on a public road shall take hold of any other vehicle in motion.

(4) No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall deliberately cause such pedal cycle to swerve from side to side.

(5) No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall carry thereon any person, animal or object which obstructs his or her view or which prevents him or her from exercising complete control over the movements of such pedal cycle.

(6) A person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall do so with at least one hand on the handle-bars of such pedal cycle.

(7) Whenever a portion of a public road has been set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, no person shall ride a pedal cycle on any other portion of such road.

(8) A person riding a pedal cycle on a public road or a portion of a public road set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, shall do so in such manner that all the wheels of such pedal cycle are in contact with the surface of the road at all times.

nooit bru, so I can't practice my wheelies down the cycle lane?

[carbon29er]

Have you been drinking this morning, because you're all over the place.

 

Some NRTA goodies for you:

 

I'm very familiar with the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 thanks.

 

And not one of the sections you have quoted protect me, as a cyclist, from being hit by a motorist. They are all requirements I must meet rather than offering me protection.

 

A big chunk of the legislation shifts blame onto the cyclist in the event of an accident rather than protecting the cyclist. For example how on earth can a reflector protect a cyclist if a motorist ignores a flashing rear light AND the cyclist is wearing hi viz clothing by driving to close to said cyclist?

 

What is being ignored is that by "the laws that protect cyclists" is that cyclists are a vulnerable road user group and need protection from motorists through space laws and better infrastructure. Bells and reflectors mean nothing when a motorist does not give a cyclist space.

[Hairy]

the solution is social education.....you know, teaching people (drivers, cyclists, an old lady with a zimmer frame) to respect other people.

 

respect would resolve all these issues I believe. 

 

human beings on bicycles would behave on the roads

human beings on motorcars would respect the human beings on bicycles

human beings need to learn to be human beings

 

laws are laws and are a means to control / promote good social living between human beings .... with no respect, the laws mean nothing, and hence good social living means nothing

 

looking in the mirror and asking one self some tough questions is the way to world peace.....

['Dale]

The problem is, it doesnt matter.

 

Cyclists do not have the oppertunity to stop motorists and give them a powerpoint presentation about why they are riding like they do.

 

What these cyclists are are doing in the eyes of 99% of the population is "riding like they own the road".

 

It is unfortunate, but thats what people see. These guys should have been riding single file in that situation.

It's about what perception is created

Yip

 

South Africa is not for sissies in terms of attitudes and behaviours of road users.

This is not Europe.

 

Poor, if any, perception management there by those roadies

Maybe they were tired and dehydrated or bonking ⚠️

[IceCreamMan]

What is interesting about the straight photo is that there is a solid white line which indicates no overtaking over the line.

 

Even if the cyclists were riding single file, say 50cm from the gutter, there would not be enough space between the outside shoulder of the cyclist with a decent passing margin and the white line for ANY motorist to pass safely. And there is an oncoming vehicle which means passing safely is impossible. EVEN if single file. But that does not stop motorists trying to sneak past where there is not enough space.

 

Which is why over 80% of accidents involving cyclists is them being hit from behind.

 

The cyclists in this picture are actually improving their safety by breaking the law as the motorist taking the photo has had to slow down and wait until it is SAFE to pass.

 

Which is EXACTLY what the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 says a vehicle should do when passing another vehicle.

Good point. I cant remember if the entire time I was behind them it was a solid white line but I don't think so. I was behind them for a long time as behind me there must of been another 10 cars by the time I did get to overtake them.

 

An the OP was not specifically aimed at this group. I saw a number of groups riding like this all over Greenside/Emmerentia area.

 

The point is that a bunch a cyclists riding like this annoys motorists, whether legal or not is irrelevant as the effect it has on motorists causes frustration and frustrated motorists = hurt cyclists. Society needs to take a chill pill without a doubt but this is a cyclist forum.

 

The guy in the car behind me was livid. obviously in a rush.

[NelAndre]

The problem is, it doesnt matter.

 

Cyclists do not have the oppertunity to stop motorists and give them a powerpoint presentation about why they are riding like they do.

 

What these cyclists are are doing in the eyes of 99% of the population is "riding like they own the road".

 

It is unfortunate, but thats what people see. These guys should have been riding single file in that situation.

I cannot agree with you more. It is our responsibility to change that public perception through our behavior on our bikes.

[Odinson]

I'm very familiar with the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 thanks.

 

And not one of the sections you have quoted protect me, as a cyclist, from being hit by a motorist. They are all requirements I must meet rather than offering me protection.

 

A big chunk of the legislation shifts blame onto the cyclist in the event of an accident rather than protecting the cyclist. For example how on earth can a reflector protect a cyclist if a motorist ignores a flashing rear light AND the cyclist is wearing hi viz clothing by driving to close to said cyclist?

 

What is being ignored is that by "the laws that protect cyclists" is that cyclists are a vulnerable road user group and need protection from motorists through space laws and better infrastructure. Bells and reflectors mean nothing when a motorist does not give a cyclist space.

 

You're going off on a tangent.

 

The fact remains that the relevant laws needs to be adhered to by all road users. No law can guarantee your safety. It's the responsibilty of cyclists (and road users) to know their rights and obligations and to act accordingly.

 

Cyclists taking up the entire lane will actually encourage your typical road-rage Saffer to act even more recklessly, just to stick it to the cyclists.

 

Until the laws are changed or there is better infrastructure in place - FOLLOW THE RULES.

[AdamA]

No it is not. No mention is made anywhere of a one metre passing distance in National law.

 

After a quick search you are right... there is no mention in the National law if 1 metre... My appologies

[popcorn_skollie]

what scares me is that I am "liking" more and more of your posts!

 

Its true though. On saturday night I caught up with some old friends over dinner. None of whom cycle. Coincidentally, the topic of discussion was Argus season and how *** it was to drive around with all the training cyclists on the road. I was singled out for trying to defend my brethren. A few bad apples or any other parables got me nowhere. Case and point needs to take a back seat when we talk about this ***. We don't need to give people who don't ride bicycles any more reasons to hate us. Just ride single file. Kla.

[Hairy]

Good point. I cant remember if the entire time I was behind them it was a solid white line but I don't think so. I was behind them for a long time as behind me there must of been another 10 cars by the time I did get to overtake them.

 

An the OP was not specifically aimed at this group. I saw a number of groups riding like this all over Greenside/Emmerentia area.

 

The point is that a bunch a cyclists riding like this annoys motorists, whether legal or not is irrelevant as the effect it has on motorists causes frustration and frustrated motorists = hurt cyclists. Society needs to take a chill pill without a doubt but this is a cyclist forum.

 

The guy in the car behind me was livid. obviously in a rush.

so let's play this one out ..... 

 

guy behind you is aggrieved, races away past cyclist, they might be a little shaken by his speed...and maybe he is a little close to the group, driver carries on at speed, and is now irate, in his current state of mind he jumps a red traffic light due to not really paying attention. he hits another car killing a bread winner for a family. they loose a loved one and the sole income earner in the household. the ramifications of this are huge.

 

cycles carry on cycling and get to talk about how the car came speeding past them, and having no clue RE what the ultimate end result was.

 

now the above is a "fairy tale" of note ... but I am sure could also be rather close to the truth.

[J∆kk∆ls]

What annoys people comes from within. You have the power to stay calm in the face of adversity. 

 

However what annoys motorists most is been stuck in a motor vehicle! 

[Bloukrans]

I don't care if it is my RIGHT as a cyclist to be on the road - I want to make sure I'm doing everything possible to be and remain SAFE when I'm on the road.

 

Safety first.

 

When I ride like a dwiss(ette), ALL cyclists get brushed with that label.

 

Let us look in the mirror and don't be sterk gevreet when you in a group.

[Icycling]

Fail pic as stated before in the tread - solid line!

 

Overtaking

 

Overtaking other vehicles can be dangerous. The difficulty with overtaking is judging the space required to complete the manoeuvre safely.

Both single lane and multi-lane overtaking manoeuvres involve risk and require extreme care. If you have any doubts it is best not to overtake and to wait until it is safer.

You must overtake on the right unless a vehicle is waiting to turn right, is stationary, or if you and the other vehicle are travelling in marked lanes. In these instances you may overtake on the left side if it is safe.

When overtaking you must:

• Not go over the speed limit
• Make sure the road ahead is clear and that there is sufficient space for you to complete the manoeuvre (check side streets and other lanes to ensure nothing will enter this space while you are overtaking)
• Check mirrors
• Signal each change in position long enough to give sufficient warning to others
• Check blind spots for motorcycles and other vehicles before changing your lane position
• Pass the vehicle with sufficient space to avoid a collision (you should be able to see the vehicle you have overtaken in your rear vision mirror before you move in front of it)
• Give way to traffic already in the lane you are moving to.

You must not overtake:

• Unless you have a clear view of any approaching traffic and you can complete the manoeuvre safely (do not commence an overtaking manoeuvre when approaching a crest, curve or any limited vision situation)
• Another vehicle that is stopping or has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, intersection or railway crossing
• Across an unbroken (continuous) line, unless the line closest to you is broken
• Where a road narrows.

On roads with a speed limit of more than 80 km/h, or a KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING sign, you must drive in the left lane unless you want to overtake or turn right.

When being overtaken you must:

• Not increase your speed
• Keep left and allow reasonable space for the overtaking vehicle to pass and move back into the lane
• Keep within your lane.

[carbon29er]

You're going off on a tangent.

 

The fact remains that the relevant laws needs to be adhered to by all road users. No law can guarantee your safety. It's the responsibilty of cyclists (and road users) to know their rights and obligations and to act accordingly.

 

Cyclists taking up the entire lane will actually encourage your typical road-rage Saffer to act even more recklessly, just to stick it to the cyclists.

 

Until the laws are changed or there is better infrastructure in place - FOLLOW THE RULES.

No tangent.

 

AdamA specifically posted that there were laws that protected cyclists. I merely asked which laws.

 

He and you referred me to the Traffic Act which has no laws that protect cyclists. Not one.

 

I merely pointed that out.

 

Cyclists in this country are very poorly protected by laws.

 

I think at school it was called comprehension. Read a section of text and understand it well enough to comprehend what it means.

 

I have been lobbying for some time for a strict liability law. Countries that have a liability law have significantly lower cyclist road deaths than countries without a liability law. Simple fact.

 

Sadly, not a single motorist has been prosecuted for breaking the one metre passing law. It's almost as if it is advisory rather than a law.

[Dicky DQ]

Cyclist may NOT ride abreast of another cyclist unless overtaking - so as not to annoy other road uses

 

So a paceline is fine then, as they are always overtaking each other.