Cradle Route Drivers Rant

[broncoza]

There are many people who are very considerate towards cyclists, but also many who are total dicks. As per OP's post, happened twice to us this past weekend while cycling behind each other, there were five of us. If the car he/she overtook had to swerve for some or other reason, we would have been goners. Wait for 5 seconds instead of putting 5 cyclists lives at risk.

Considerate behavior is a two way street and one group being considerate to another blatantly breaking the law is tantamount to flaunting any rule of law in this country. Isn’t it time that as cyclists sharing the road with other users we all start obeying the basic rules of the road instead of continually pointing the finger at the motorist. How many of us have rolled through a red light or skipped a stop street? When we are seen doing this we unfortunately end up creating the perception by motorists that all cyclists are not law obiding.

[Patchelicious]

Considerate behavior is a two way street and one group being considerate to another blatantly breaking the law is tantamount to flaunting any rule of law in this country. Isn’t it time that as cyclists sharing the road with other users we all start obeying the basic rules of the road instead of continually pointing the finger at the motorist. How many of us have rolled through a red light or skipped a stop street? When we are seen doing this we unfortunately end up creating the perception by motorists that all cyclists are not law obiding.

Dude, you are spot on, but I have been down this road.

 

Trying to tell people to take some responsibility for their own actions is only going to end in tears here.

[Cube120]

SO to add to this..heading North towards Durban North along NMR this morning i encounter 2 cyclists at around 4.25am,one with NO LIGHTS AT ALL,and the other with a front light only.And not one street light in operation before the Engen Garage and Athlone BRIDGE area...Seriously guys,we all need to see and be seen in order to stay safe.This behaviour is totally irresponsible and never believe that " it wont happen to me".Soon you will both be another statistic reported in the media.    

[dave303e]

Considerate behavior is a two way street and one group being considerate to another blatantly breaking the law is tantamount to flaunting any rule of law in this country. Isn’t it time that as cyclists sharing the road with other users we all start obeying the basic rules of the road instead of continually pointing the finger at the motorist. How many of us have rolled through a red light or skipped a stop street? When we are seen doing this we unfortunately end up creating the perception by motorists that all cyclists are not law obiding.

 

Tried to state similar on another thread and also got shut down- add riding on freeways and riding 2 abreast to the list...

[nathrix]

Two wrongs doesn't make a right. The way some people talk about rule-breaking cyclists, you’d think drivers are being mowed down by cyclists. We forget vehicles are weapons of mass destruction and have cages protecting occupants, cyclists are vulnerable and stand no chance.

 

Drivers tend to forget the following dangers, just to name a few: speeding, driving a vehicle not roadworthy/unlicensed, unlicensed drivers, tailgating, not signaling, race past you and turn left in front of you, getting behind the wheel while drunk, texting or using a cell phone without the hands-free option, double parking or parking in dedicated cycle lanes, throwing trash (including cigarette butts and glass bottles) out the window, failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, making a U-turn when not safe to do so, running red lights and rolling through stop signs, and yes, overtaking when not safe to do so.

 

[peetwindhoek]

Two weeks ago I went road riding in the cradle. Awesome seeing so many cyclists. Cyclists were all over the road though! Not giving a damn about cars.

 

This weekend, did a club ride with a friend and his mtb club. Even worse than the roadies, at one stage oncoming cars had to wait for the *18 million* abreast riders to make way. 

 

Edit: As long as people are involved, you will have idiots

[EmJayZA]

I get that group riding is a different beast. It's almost impossible to control a big group of cyclists. If a group is big enough to take up a generous shoulder and an entire lane, then the group is too big, and should be split up. I can't imagine turning that group around at the Caves or something. Seems like a recipe for an accident. 

 

Having said that, I have seen some groups (around 10 or so) overtaking fast and in single file. Didn't recognize kits, sadly. Looks pro. 

 

I think we should just be a little more considerate to each other, and other users of the road. Maybe it will rub off onto our non-lycra wearing peers. 

[Patchelicious]

I get that group riding is a different beast. It's almost impossible to control a big group of cyclists. If a group is big enough to take up a generous shoulder and an entire lane, then the group is too big, and should be split up. I can't imagine turning that group around at the Caves or something. Seems like a recipe for an accident. 

 

Having said that, I have seen some groups (around 10 or so) overtaking fast and in single file. Didn't recognize kits, sadly. Looks pro. 

 

I think we should just be a little more considerate to each other, and other users of the road. Maybe it will rub off onto our non-lycra wearing peers. 

 

Big groups are made up of individuals. I maintain that if these individuals all rode as responsible individual people, even within a group that it will be far more manageable. 

 

HOWEVER, we suffer from pack mentality and alter our behaviour when in groups. This behaviour adjustment is not always for the better.

 

If you are in a group, you can mostly still decide to either ride 3 abreast, or rather fall back and slot in behind the rider next to you, not always, but mostly.

[Coolspin]

I dont ride in the cradle often, every time i have though I have seen people riding abreast eachother pretty much blocking the road, mind blowing as to how these individuals are seemingly unaware of their transgression, cruising along in the middle of the lane.

No wonder the motorists driving through there get the zig with this.

 

When it comes to big bunches and clubs I prefer to pull off the road for a few minutes to let them pass, dont want to get involved.

 

Prefer riding on my own, own routes (not in cradle), so much more chilled, my own pace and stay out of the way of traffic as much as possible, once you have done the route a few times you really start to get a sense of where the danger spots are when you have to be on high alert as well as places that you can zone out a bit.

 

Just the way I like to roll, cycle to reduce stress, not create it.

[broncoza]

I dont ride in the cradle often, every time i have though I have seen people riding abreast eachother pretty much blocking the road, mind blowing as to how these individuals are seemingly unaware of their transgression, cruising along in the middle of the lane.

No wonder the motorists driving through there get the zig with this.

 

When it comes to big bunches and clubs I prefer to pull off the road for a few minutes to let them pass, dont want to get involved.

 

Prefer riding on my own, own routes (not in cradle), so much more chilled, my own pace and stay out of the way of traffic as much as possible, once you have done the route a few times you really start to get a sense of where the danger spots are when you have to be on high alert as well as places that you can zone out a bit.

 

Just the way I like to roll, cycle to reduce stress, not create it.

Totally agree with your sentiment on cycling to reduce stress. That’s why I prefer cycle touring with one or two mates

[mazambaan]

nathrix - "two wrongs don't make a right".

 

I hear you but have been following the Durban case of the "allegedly" drunk driver who killed two cyclists. On my BB quite a few of the comments make the "alleged" point that the "cyclists shouldn't have been there" so it was their fault. That he hit them from behind in the yellow line at a moerse spoed is ignored. The levels of intolerance and spite are quite sad.

[nathrix]

nathrix - "two wrongs don't make a right".

 

I hear you but have been following the Durban case of the "allegedly" drunk driver who killed two cyclists. On my BB quite a few of the comments make the "alleged" point that the "cyclists shouldn't have been there" so it was their fault. That he hit them from behind in the yellow line at a moerse spoed is ignored. The levels of intolerance and spite are quite sad.

Yes exactly, been following, they are trying to put the blame on cyclists again so that this piece of sh!ttt can get off lightly. Cyclists should not ride on freeways because they will get killed by motorists like Pietie. The cyclists did not put anyone’s lives at danger, but here comes Pietie driving his little gti at great speed while being intoxicated as you could smell his breath a mile away at 5 in the morning, tired, and mow us down. Our authorities did net even get a blood test done within 2hrs.

 

Then again there are plenty of arugant cyclists who just don’t give a toss and anger motorists unnecessarily and drive their cars the way they cycle.

 

Point is as per OP, no law is being broken while I’m cycling on certain roads and i have full right as a road user to be there, just as any other vehicle, while these fckrs in their cars overtaking at over 120km/h in a 60km/h or 80km/h zone on roads with no shoulder while i’m cycling in the opposite direction.

 

I commute to work most times during the week and ride on avg 200 to 300km a week cycling, some times over 400km if there’s a public holiday in that week. So spend a lot of time on road and off road. I have lights on, gopro’s mounted front and rear, i look like a bldy Christmas tree. A guy in his delivery truck passed me yesterday in a 40 zone. While passing me he brakes for a speed bump and moves left, pushing me off the road ffs. Some people just don’t think, or too lazy to use that thing located between your ears called a brain.

[EmJayZA]

On Saturday, at around about 10am, heading from Lion Park back to Bidon, I saw an ambulance and EMS vehicle just after the circle turning towards Bidon. The vehicles were parked in the cycling lane, and there were a few people standing around. Anyone know what happened? 

 

I saw the commotion, but didn't want to stop to look. Didn't seem like the right thing to do. There were a ton of runners and massive groups out on Saturday. Feels like an accident is just waiting to happen. Lots of irate drivers too. 

[Sepia]

On Saturday, at around about 10am, heading from Lion Park back to Bidon, I saw an ambulance and EMS vehicle just after the circle turning towards Bidon. The vehicles were parked in the cycling lane, and there were a few people standing around. Anyone know what happened? 

 

I saw the commotion, but didn't want to stop to look. Didn't seem like the right thing to do. There were a ton of runners and massive groups out on Saturday. Feels like an accident is just waiting to happen. Lots of irate drivers too. 

Reading through this thread I was afraid it was going to end up like this.

 

Forgive me for being so negative but this all sounds like an accident waiting to happen, again?

[shaper]

On Saturday, at around about 10am, heading from Lion Park back to Bidon, I saw an ambulance and EMS vehicle just after the circle turning towards Bidon. The vehicles were parked in the cycling lane, and there were a few people standing around. Anyone know what happened? 

 

I saw the commotion, but didn't want to stop to look. Didn't seem like the right thing to do. There were a ton of runners and massive groups out on Saturday. Feels like an accident is just waiting to happen. Lots of irate drivers too. 

Accident happened much earlier and was a cyclist down around 8:15am just after the lion circle heading towards the caves.  No car involved or near by, was being helped and comforted at the time by other cyclists, so looks like a fall and landed badly (maybe lost control or touching of wheels).  On our way back from the caves a little later the ambulance was there and the rider was being attended to.

 

Unless of course this was a completely separate incident to the earlier one

[s14phoenix]

Just to show how easy it is to indicate that a cyclist has broken the law and thus cannot hold the motorist accountable for the accident... how many of us actually ride road worthy bicycles???

 

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.
187.Red retro-reflectors to be fitted on rear of certain vehicles 
(4) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the rear of such cycle a red retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192.

 

Now how many cyclists have lights? not many I have seen either.