How to stop the Cycling Carnage on SA's roads?

[MTBeer]

That exact crossing yes.

 

Besides the red light jumping stories. As a cyclist or pedestrian on the cycle lane, that intersection is the most dangerous part of the whole route from Table View to town. You have literally about 4/5 seconds to cross safely between traffic light changes, and you have to keep a beady eye out for any cars also jumping a red light turning left at the same time.

I've never seen the green man at that intersection. Not sure it even works.

[Hairy]

I've never seen the green man at that intersection. Not sure it even works.

There is one ... it goes green the same time that it goes green for the cars coming from town that turn left and DB ... and those cars will never give you way, even with a green man....we have tried, and had words with cars before at this point. Cars do just not see the green man at all, or if they do, they often choose to ignore it.

[MTBeer]

There is one ... it goes green the same time that it goes green for the cars coming from town that turn left and DB ... and those cars will never give you way, even with a green man....we have tried, and had words with cars before at this point. Cars do just not see the green man at all, or if they do, they often choose to ignore it.

yes sorry I do recall seeing it. I remember now stopping to let someone across there and the oke behind me almost drove up my arse.

[Hairy]

yes sorry I do recall seeing it. I remember now stopping to let someone across there and the oke behind me almost drove up my arse.

Thanks for stopping!

[carbon29er]

well I was nearly taken out now recently by a roadie who was cycling on the road (west coast road) adjacent to the cycle lane. I was crossing on the pedestrian crossing/bicycle lane crossing, Mr Roadie riding on the road, and between the cars, jump a red light at speed turning left to the beach front and very nearly took me out at speed. could have been a nasty one.

 

 

was that at Dolphin Beach Hairy?

 

The other morning in my car at the robot there waiting to turn right onto R27 towards CT. Robot turns green for me and I pull away keeping a beady eye on the cars coming from the right from CT side, because you never know who is going to jump the red. Mr Idiot Cyclist No1 comes speeding across cycle lane crossing (against red light) from my left in front of me. As I slam on brakes and give him a couple of 'up-yours' and 'jou-ma-se-porches', his china Mr Idiot Cyclist No2 also comes speeding from the left (against red light) and almost into the side of my car.

 

So, ok Carbon 29, nobody was killed, but close enough hey?

That is completely unacceptable and warrants no excuse from me or any other bicycle rider.  In traffic red is red and means stop.

 

Jumping a red light at speed is not what I had in mind when I suggested "rolling through" but you make your point that red is red.

 

Sea Point, Beach Road, T-junction with pavement to the left heading east? Simon's Town, Main Road and Dido Valley Rd, T-Junction with pavement to the left heading south? Those are the instances I really don't have any objection to.

 

In a lot of countries turning a corner without crossing the oncoming traffic, left turns here, right turns in left hand drive markets, is allowed IF SAFE to proceed. I guess that would be a silly thing to introduce here.

[NordicElf]

Rubbish. A motorist has no right to endanger my life by passing too closely to me. Regardless of whether I jump red lights or not. Which I don't.

 

But this victim blaming and "get our own house in order" as justification for motorists driving badly and endangering cyclists is just so annoying and counter productive.

 

I could post an hour of video a day of drivers driving illegally.

 

I think the laws have to change. More applicable to what we as cyclists do. And greater consequences for other road users who hit/drive into/kill and/or bully us.

 

Culture changes follow law changes (and strict implementation of the law) - I think... I  kind of  just made that up but it certainly feels that way.

[eccc whippet]

The laws are in place in other parts of the world...but so are decent cycling lanes...making it safer for for cyclist to commute from point to point.

 

Durban has the perfect cycling "lane" in one part of Durban...it would be perfect if there was a little thought and engagement with cycling clubs as to the location of this one lane ( from Ushaka north for about 1 km) but clearly the planning official doesn't ride a bicycle...I will take a pic one day.

 

Something to consider when discussing cycling lanes...the mix of cyclist...fast roadies in big groups...commuters...the mtb enjoying a slow cruise...if you block the lane as they did with the lane from ushaka...how woulda faster group overtake.

[carbon29er]

The laws are in place in other parts of the world...but so are decent cycling lanes...making it safer for for cyclist to commute from point to point.

 

Durban has the perfect cycling "lane" in one part of Durban...it would be perfect if there was a little thought and engagement with cycling clubs as to the location of this one lane ( from Ushaka north for about 1 km) but clearly the planning official doesn't ride a bicycle...I will take a pic one day.

 

Something to consider when discussing cycling lanes...the mix of cyclist...fast roadies in big groups...commuters...the mtb enjoying a slow cruise...if you block the lane as they did with the lane from ushaka...how woulda faster group overtake.

In my experience the only country where cycling lanes work for fast bunches is the Netherlands. Elsewhere they tend to use the road once a bunch gets a bit big and a bit fast.

 

In my view, experienced roadies tend to "handle" themselves on the roads, the major safety concern is less frequent cyclists and commuters. That is why the law stating if there is a cycle lane you MUST use it is as silly as the single file rule (both Western Cape only at this stage).

 

A bunch travelling at 30+ kph on a cycle lane that has commuters and parents with children is an unnecessary risk to the slower riders.

[eccc whippet]

Something else I just thought about...in SA we have special needs...in other countries if you break down on a highway you must exit the vehicle...in SA we put bus/taxis stops on our highways ( N2 Kwamashu) to encourage people to walk and cycle on them..so I think comparing or following what other countries do is not viable.

[VicanZA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHsVWcihkh4

[Patchelicious]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHsVWcihkh4

I think that cyclists needs a steak.

[Fat Boab]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHsVWcihkh4

 

Too many lentils me thinks...........

[MTBeer]

and then you get a clever oke riding at 6.10 (still pretty dark and overcast) am this morning on Otto du Plessis between Melkbos and Big Bay (no shoulder on this section) without a fekking rear light. AAAAND he is wearing one of these

 

 

[Patchelicious]

and then you get a clever oke riding at 6.10 (still pretty dark and overcast) am this morning on Otto du Plessis between Melkbos and Big Bay (no shoulder on this section) without a fekking rear light. AAAAND he is wearing one of these

So did you give him a 1.5m gap?

[Sitting@89]

After reading the first 5 pages of this topic (I will read the rest later today after work) I have come to the following conclusions:

 

1. Barring one or two contributors to the topic no one understands the purpose of the thread, the topic was "How can we stop the carnage" not how can we better or more fully describe what leads to the carnage, which is what most comments have been about.

 

2. As always a big part of what is going on here is the inaction mentality, i.e. I will not act because my actions are doomed from the onset. Yes one person CAN make a difference and a group that stands united even more so.

 

3. There are some ideas been discussed here that could make a very real difference, but until they are met with action nothing changes.

 

I now summon those with courage to take the first steps, this is a call to action, lets sit together and exchange ideas so we can draw up a detailed "plan of attack"

 

Some of my intial suggestions would be design and distribute flyers with the primary idea of educating people. My suggestion would be something along the "are you part of the problem or part of the solution" message.

 

Make people sign a pledge, drive a campaign at a busy intersection (like Beyers/Christiaan de wet) where motorists take a pledge to be responsible drivers.

 

Bottom line is if everyone sits and waits for someone else to do something NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE

[MTBeer]

So did you give him a 1.5m gap?

Well yes because luckily I saw him. His luck might run out sometime though.