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

[MTBeer]

this might do a bit to help...

 

http://kdvr.com/2017/05/30/drunk-driver-gets-12-years-for-hitting-killing-boulder-bicyclist/

[Bateleur1]

this might do a bit to help...

 

http://kdvr.com/2017/05/30/drunk-driver-gets-12-years-for-hitting-killing-boulder-bicyclist/

 

... if it were to happen in SA.

[Bonus]

this might do a bit to help...

 

http://kdvr.com/2017/05/30/drunk-driver-gets-12-years-for-hitting-killing-boulder-bicyclist/

The number of times we read about a "history of DUI offences" when these people finally kill someone. It's disgusting.

[ChrisF]

I dont want to go off-topic on this thread - https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160804-please-apply-visibility-on-the-road/page-10

 

So quoting Mr Lee -

I feel that cyclists need take it upon themselves to make sure they are visible at all times of the day and not only when it is dark! FOR YOUR OWN SELF PRESERVATION!

 

It is always the drivers fault for not seeing us but we are also in part at fault for expecting drivers to see a small and often dark moving object while trying to concentrate on all the other hazards on 4-16 wheels.

 

 

On Sunday we too nice drive with the car.  Stopping at Meerendal, then taking the R302 (Klipheuwel road) out of Durbanville, turning right onto R312 toward Paarl.

 

 

Coming from Meerendal it was just logical to talk about the various cyclists along the road, enjoying the nice weather we had on Sunday ....

 

Between Meerendal and Durbanville - MOST of the cyclists were using the gravel strips staying

safe.  A few "brave souls" on MTB's thought it better to ride on the tar, with ZERO shoulder .... taking their chances with cars from behind - while the drivers were dealing with the rising sun.  And then two gents comes from Durbanville up the hill - SIDE BY SIDE .... any vehicle would have to cross 100% into oncoming traffic to miss these two Darwin candidates. 

 

 

Just outside of Durbanville we saw the nicest wide yellow lane section.  Even three-abreast can ride safely.  BUT, please be carefull near intersections !!!  Cars stop to turn right, and others just fly by on the left into the yellow lane - with the morning sun there were a couple of hairy spots ....

 

 

 

On the R312, near Equifeeds Fissantekraal, the road is NARROW, absolutely no shoulder ... blind bends, blind rises, SHADE of the tree canopy, and the BRIGHT light at the end of the canopy ... at best you see silhoetes .... here we encountered a group of maybe 25 road riders.  JIP, always that ONE, this one Darwin candidate rides two-abreast, but so wide that he is in the middle of the lane !!  Due to the blind rise cars were way too close before seeing him !!!!  Thankfully nothing from the front at that moment ....  If I had to choose between head on with a truck .... THANKFULLY it did not come down to that.  But this road rider IS playing russian roulette ....

 

 

 

As a cyclist in a car I never endangered any of these riders.  BUT, as a "Driver" I am also very aware of just how dangerous some of these situations were.  It takes a number of things to line up for an accident .... in these examples the respective cyclists COULD have taken very basic steps to reduce their exposure

 

YES, vehicle drivers have a responsibility .... BUT, cyclists certainly have to do their bit as well.

[Trek man]

Again I will say a cyclist is the last thing the drivers see on the roads .Rule is that we should have 1.5meters on public roads motorist don't give two hoots about cyclist or runers for that matter .

[PhilipV]

When I drive and I see a cyclist, I make a point of slowing down and passing wide.

Almost always the cars behind me do the same and pass wide (well I've already forced them to slow down.)

This especially a las if I'm going up Franschhoek pass with a loaded truck and have to gear down to second to get away again. But it is worth it every single time. I don't know whether this will are a long term change in other driver's behavior, but for that rider at that moment it did.

 

If we as cyclists don't protect the lives of other cyclists,we hardly have a foot to stand on when it comes to safety.

[Bateleur1]

 

Between Meerendal and Durbanville - MOST of the cyclists were using the gravel strips staying

safe.  A few "brave souls" on MTB's thought it better to ride on the tar, with ZERO shoulder .... taking their chances with cars from behind - while the drivers were dealing with the rising sun.  And then two gents comes from Durbanville up the hill - SIDE BY SIDE .... any vehicle would have to cross 100% into oncoming traffic to miss these two Darwin candidates. 

 

 

 

I agree pretty much with most of what you say especially the last line ... everybody needs to do their bit.  But I found the highlited part very interresting and it is something that I have heard sooo many times in SA.  "I had to cross into the other lane into oncomming traffic".  That sums up sooo many accidents (not only with cyclist but many traffic accidents only involving cars).

 

Why do South African drivers feel so obliged to overtake even when it is not safe to do so?  You must only pass when it is safe to do so and if it is not safe you slow down or even stop if you have to.  Simple.

 

Yesterday I had once again experienced here in Germany how cars simply will wait to pass a cyclist if they do not deem it safe to pass.  We had storm winds yesterday with rain.  So I cycled home and had to go down this pass.  I want fairly slowly as the road was very wet and there were very strong winds.  I did occupy most of the lane and a car approached from behind but he stayed more than 50 m behind me and waited.  There were sections where I could move up and I expected him to pass but he simply stayed behind me until we were out of the pass and it was safe to pass.  Very simple.

[Fat Boab]

I agree pretty much with most of what you say especially the last line ... everybody needs to do their bit.  But I found the highlited part very interresting and it is something that I have heard sooo many times in SA.  "I had to cross into the other lane into oncomming traffic".  That sums up sooo many accidents (not only with cyclist but many traffic accidents only involving cars).

 

Why do South African drivers feel so obliged to overtake even when it is not safe to do so?  You must only pass when it is safe to do so and if it is not safe you slow down or even stop if you have to.  Simple.

 

Yesterday I had once again experienced here in Germany how cars simply will wait to pass a cyclist if they do not deem it safe to pass.  We had storm winds yesterday with rain.  So I cycled home and had to go down this pass.  I want fairly slowly as the road was very wet and there were very strong winds.  I did occupy most of the lane and a car approached from behind but he stayed more than 50 m behind me and waited.  There were sections where I could move up and I expected him to pass but he simply stayed behind me until we were out of the pass and it was safe to pass.  Very simple.

 

I'm returning to the UK later this year after a 17 year, 'try SA for 2 year' period. I'm looking forward to feeling what the car-cyclist relationship is there compared to 17 years ago, and with SA currently.

[Bateleur1]

I'm returning to the UK later this year after a 17 year, 'try SA for 2 year' period. I'm looking forward to feeling what the car-cyclist relationship is there compared to 17 years ago, and with SA currently.

 

It would be nice to hear your report.  I have no idea what it is like in the UK.  I suspect the culture would be very different between Cities and rural areas there though.

[Fat Boab]

It would be nice to hear your report.  I have no idea what it is like in the UK.  I suspect the culture would be very different between Cities and rural areas there though.

 

Expect some feedback and lots of photos (mainly rain, sleet and snow, through a window with me on the inside getting grumpy!). I'm heading to Edinburgh and the big changes seem to be they have trams now and more dedicated cycle lanes based on old railway lines that are now paved. HOW am I going to cope with tram lines. Jeez, I have the handling skills of a brick at the best of times.....

 

Of course, the last few weeks I've been preoccupied with what commuter? Time to finish that Cotic X project!

[Bateleur1]

Expect some feedback and lots of photos (mainly rain, sleet and snow, through a window with me on the inside getting grumpy!). I'm heading to Edinburgh and the big changes seem to be they have trams now and more dedicated cycle lanes based on old railway lines that are now paved. HOW am I going to cope with tram lines. Jeez, I have the handling skills of a brick at the best of times.....

 

Of course, the last few weeks I've been preoccupied with what commuter? Time to finish that Cotic X project!

 

Also have trams here in Munich.  I only cross one line one a specific route.  I do have a railway line in our town right the start of my morning commute that I cross.  I goods train use it 2-3 times a week early in the morning but the drivers take care when crossing and normally stop the train if they see cyclists approaching.

[Fat Boab]

Also have trams here in Munich.  I only cross one line one a specific route.  I do have a railway line in our town right the start of my morning commute that I cross.  I goods train use it 2-3 times a week early in the morning but the drivers take care when crossing and normally stop the train if they see cyclists approaching.

 

 

Train stops for cyclist. Jeezo, another world........

[AdamA]

Again I will say a cyclist is the last thing the drivers see on the roads .Rule is that we should have 1.5meters  1 meter on public roads motorist don't give two hoots about cyclist or runers for that matter .

Fixed

[Bateleur1]

Train stops for cyclist. Jeezo, another world........

 

Yip you should have seen the surprise on my face the first time it happened.

[ChrisF]

I agree pretty much with most of what you say especially the last line ... everybody needs to do their bit.  But I found the highlited part very interresting and it is something that I have heard sooo many times in SA.  "I had to cross into the other lane into oncomming traffic".  That sums up sooo many accidents (not only with cyclist but many traffic accidents only involving cars).

 

Why do South African drivers feel so obliged to overtake even when it is not safe to do so?  You must only pass when it is safe to do so and if it is not safe you slow down or even stop if you have to.  Simple.

 

Yesterday I had once again experienced here in Germany how cars simply will wait to pass a cyclist if they do not deem it safe to pass.  We had storm winds yesterday with rain.  So I cycled home and had to go down this pass.  I want fairly slowly as the road was very wet and there were very strong winds.  I did occupy most of the lane and a car approached from behind but he stayed more than 50 m behind me and waited.  There were sections where I could move up and I expected him to pass but he simply stayed behind me until we were out of the pass and it was safe to pass.  Very simple.

 

Bear in mind that in THAT example the bikes were MTB's, next to TWO tracks next to the road .. yet this one gent was riding in the middle of the lane, blocking traffic with absolutely no reason.

 

 

The only given fact - he IS p!ssing off car riders .... 

 

 

Moral of the story - as cyclists we want cars to respect us ... yet all too often cyclists are the ones instigating the cycle of idiotic behaviour.

 

 

 MUTUAL RESPECT 

[Starvin' Marvin]

Anyone got any good ideas?

 

I'm looking to see why/how road cycling is so safe here in Spain. What are the differences etc.

When I have some useful info I will pass it on.

 

Bonus.

quite simple, effective law enforcement on both cars and bicycles.