Accident in the cradle.

[Bateleur1]

but both @shaper and @marcfr that were actually there on scene have stated it was enough space for all involved.

 

had it been a case of the truck crossed a solid line - i'm sure that would have been pointed out and people would be baying for his blood already. 

 

There is quite a bit of info missing but did not stop MTB-more from jumping on the bandwagon and saying the cyclists are the cause for their own problems.  As the driver of a vehicle that passes another vehicle you should be able to do it safely and also taking into consideration any possible hazards that could occure.  It all started off well but then something went wrong and all of a sudden it was not safe anymore.  This is where there are alot of questions.  If you go back to basics the first thing that V12man mentioned is there was oncomming traffic, why did the truck continue to overtake, even if there was "enough" space.  I know myself how many times I almost got taken out in SA by oncomming vehicles because the driver was of the opinion there was enough space.

[Patchelicious]

There are 2 illegal maneuvers in this:

 

1 - Driving inside the yellow line when it is not an emergency.

2 - Driving into the face of oncoming traffic.

If it’s a cycle lane and not an emergency lane, as in cradle, what is the law then?

[Vetplant]

There are 2 illegal maneuvers in this:

 

1 - Driving inside the yellow line when it is not an emergency.

2 - Driving into the face of oncoming traffic.

Don't want to start a whole new debate, but:

 

You are allowed to drive in the "emergency lane" during daylight hours to allow a vehicle to pass from behind, but only if you can see ahead of you for 200m to ensure the lane is clear and it is safe to do so(could be 500m, forgot the exact distance now).

 

I redid my learners license recently to "upgrade" my driving license for towing capacity, which is why I remember.

 

I'm am not sure if it says anything about extended driving time in the emergency lane, but I think you need to move back into the normal driving lane once passed.

 

Another thing I picked up while studying is that if a cycle lane has been provided provided on a road, then cyclists are NOT allowed in the normal driving lane with other vehicles. I am not too sure whether ALL cyclists know this...?

 

(I am not saying this is relevant in this specific accident, but rather as a discussion point regarding rules of the road)

[MTB-More]

The rules of the road say that an overtaking manoeuvre is only allowed when it is safe to do so. 

 

When there are objects : cars, cows, pedestrians, cyclists in the oncoming lane then your manoeuvre was undertaken at a time it was not safe, no matter what they were doing. The truck should not have overtaken.

 

That is not hard to understand.

 

It is also not hard to understand that both groups on both sides of the road was in the yellow line and the truck driver was giving a group more space to drive in the middle of the road.

 

When said oncoming group in the yellow lane had issues and forced a rider into the road how is this the trucks fault? 

[Bateleur1]

The rules of the road say that an overtaking manoeuvre is only allowed when it is safe to do so. 

 

When there are objects : cars, cows, pedestrians, cyclists in the oncoming lane then your manoeuvre was undertaken at a time it was not safe, no matter what they were doing. The truck should not have overtaken.

 

That is not hard to understand.

 

Apparently it is very hard to understand.

[Uni]

why did the truck continue to overtake, even if there was "enough" space.  

I wasn't there but just a thought. 

 

Report A said -"after seeing a very large truck (>10T) in the middle of the road" (ie. truck was already in the middle of the overtake manoever) 

 

the truck moves a crap load slower than a bunch of a bike , he can't 'just quickly' nip back behind the group to his left

[MTB-More]

There is quite a bit of info missing but did not stop MTB-more from jumping on the bandwagon and saying the cyclists are the cause for their own problems.  As the driver of a vehicle that passes another vehicle you should be able to do it safely and also taking into consideration any possible hazards that could occure.  It all started off well but then something went wrong and all of a sudden it was not safe anymore.  This is where there are alot of questions.  If you go back to basics the first thing that V12man mentioned is there was oncomming traffic, why did the truck continue to overtake, even if there was "enough" space.  I know myself how many times I almost got taken out in SA by oncomming vehicles because the driver was of the opinion there was enough space.

 

You are misquoting me. I said and will say it again. Cyclist need to follow the basic rules of staying single file and announcing their actions when they are stopping or braking or whatever.

 

If the discipline in the group was what it was supposed to be the accident could have been avoided. Do not misquote me saying they are responsible for their own problems. I am merely highlighting what could have prevented it.

[Bateleur1]

 

You are allowed to drive in the "emergency lane" during daylight hours to allow a vehicle to pass from behind, but only if you can see ahead of you for 200m to ensure the lane is clear and it is safe to do so(could be 500m, forgot the exact distance now).

 

 

 

True:  Was going to post.  People however think it is law that you must move over but it is not. It is your prerogative to decide if you want to move over.  Not a law.

 

 

Another thing I picked up while studying is that if a cycle lane has been provided provided on a road, then cyclists are NOT allowed in the normal driving lane with other vehicles. I am not too sure whether ALL cyclists know this...?

 

 

It has always been like that .. actually.

[V12man]

If it’s a cycle lane and not an emergency lane, as in cradle, what is the law then?

My understanding is that cyclists are still allowed to ride in the lane even if a cycle lane exists (I am not saying this is advisable - just that they are allowed to use the lane.

 

Cars/trucks etc MAY NOT use the cycle lane for driving in at any time (but I suppose then the question is where does a broken down vehicle stop if there is no emergency lane or an emergency lane that is doubling as a cycling lane)

 

One has to remember that cyclists are not allowed to use the emergency lane for riding in (despite this often being done and mostly the lesser of evils) - thus in the cradle the emergency lanes have been designated as cycle lanes to specifically try and get them out of the traffic lanes.

[Bateleur1]

You are misquoting me. I said and will say it again. Cyclist need to follow the basic rules of staying single file and announcing their actions when they are stopping or braking or whatever.

 

If the discipline in the group was what it was supposed to be the accident could have been avoided. Do not misquote me saying they are responsible for their own problems. I am merely highlighting what could have prevented it.

 

It is not always possible to announce in time if there is an emergency. F§$%all to do with discipline.  When something happens it happens then the only announcing you will get is screaming of pain and cracking carbon.

[Patchelicious]

Sometimes, accidents happen due to several factors and a series of events.

 

This seems to be one of those cases.

[MTB-More]

My understanding is that cyclists are still allowed to ride in the lane even if a cycle lane exists (I am not saying this is advisable - just that they are allowed to use the lane.

 

Cars/trucks etc MAY NOT use the cycle lane for driving in at any time (but I suppose then the question is where does a broken down vehicle stop if there is no emergency lane or an emergency lane that is doubling as a cycling lane)

 

One has to remember that cyclists are not allowed to use the emergency lane for riding in (despite this often being done and mostly the lesser of evils) - thus in the cradle the emergency lanes have been designated as cycle lanes to specifically try and get them out of the traffic lanes.

 

Rules of the Road & Riding on pedal cycles

 

Reg 311.

 

(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 Special provisions relating to freeways

 

Reference: https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Cycling-Rules-of-the-Road-and-Road-Safety

[Cava]

 

 

You are misquoting me. I said and will say it again. Cyclist need to follow the basic rules of staying single file and announcing their actions when they are stopping or braking or whatever.

 

If the discipline in the group was what it was supposed to be the accident could have been avoided. Do not misquote me saying they are responsible for their own problems. I am merely highlighting what could have prevented it.

 

The leaders of the group did announce their actions. They called for the group to go single file and indicated for the truck to slow down. They didn't brake, but obviously some of the riders in the back had to in order to go single file. Depending on how quickly you try to go single file, braking is often necessary and not everyone brakes perfectly. Why do you insist that the group was not disciplined? 

[Bateleur1]

Sometimes, accidents happen due to several factors and a series of events.

 

This seems to be one of those cases.

 

Exactly.

[Edition 507]

Trucks fault, plain and simple. Whether you ride single file or six abreast holding hands singing Kumbaya, this does not give anyone else the right to drive dangerously, act impatiently or to take the law into their own hands.

By the way, do pedestrians, cyclists and donkey cards not have right of way irrespective?

[Escapee..]

Could this not maybe have been an accident like the title suggest?

 

accident

ˈaksɪd(ə)nt/

noun

 

1. 1.

   an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

   "he had an accident at the factory"

   synonyms: mishap, misfortune, misadventure, mischance, unfortunate incident, injury, disaster, tragedy, catastrophe, contretemps, calamity, blow, trouble, problem, difficulty;

   technicalcasualty

   "he was involved in an accident at work"

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2. 2.

   an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause.