Willie Smith Vlog: Bus takes out fellow rider

[Mamil]

I'm going mountain biking this week.

[Quagga]

Not at all. Read my 1st post on the topic, if you want to understand my view and where I’m coming from.

 

There is a difference between legal and safest.

 

Riding legal does not mean safest option, but when someone gets runover while technically legal I dont think we can blame them for not being MORE safe. Maybe they were having fun and not really checking for the safest option but for these hubbers to victim blame is bad form

 

None of us are saying they SHOULD be right of the line, we saying they COULD have been and be legal So for the bus to take them out in the YELLOW is even worse

[LeoKnight]

There is a difference between legal and safest.

 

Riding legal does not mean safest option, but when someone gets runover while technically legal I dont think we can blame them for not being MORE safe. Maybe they were having fun and not really checking for the safest option but for these hubbers to victim blame is bad form

 

None of us are saying they SHOULD be right of the line, we saying they COULD have been and be legal So for the bus to take them out in the YELLOW is even worse

 

My view is that they not victim blaming, the same that you do not blame a soldier for getting injured in a war, it is par of the course, the more risks you accept the more likely you are to carry some consequences.    

 

I see victim blaming (and a quick google search), as when you perceive that victims are in any way responsible for the actions of offenders... in this case I did not read anything (ok might have skipped some posts) that there is a suggestion that the riders are responsible for the bus drivers poor driving.  

[Quagga]

My view is that they not victim blaming, the same that you do not blame a soldier for getting injured in a war, it is par of the course, the more risks you accept the more likely you are to carry some consequences.    

 

I see victim blaming (and a quick google search), as when you perceive that victims are in any way responsible for the actions of offenders... in this case I did not read anything (ok might have skipped some posts) that there is a suggestion that the riders are responsible for the bus drivers poor driving.  

I see the words "they SHOULD be more to the left" as blaming them for what happened

[LeoKnight]

I see the words "they SHOULD be more to the left" as blaming them for what happened

 

That is where I see the difference...

- Did their action (by riding more to the right) contribute to the bus driver not adhering to the rules of safe passing - in this case no

- Did their action (by riding more to the right) impact on the likelihood of being hit - in this case yes

 

So no they not being blamed for the bus drivers breaking of the rules, but did their actions place them in harms way, yes.  This is what most of the conversation is about for me for us all to reflect on what the risk factors are out there and maybe have a relook our own tolerance for taking that that risk.

 

Some will decide they willing to take the risk, and some will decide to change their routine.  

[Jase619]

I see the words "they SHOULD be more to the left" as blaming them for what happened

 

Agreed, and while the term you are using may be technically incorrect, your intention is correct. 

[The Ouzo]

more to the point, how is the rider doing ?

[Hairy]

That is where I see the difference...

- Did their action (by riding more to the right) contribute to the bus driver not adhering to the rules of safe passing - in this case no

- Did their action (by riding more to the right) impact on the likelihood of being hit - in this case yes

 

So no they not being blamed for the bus drivers breaking of the rules, but did their actions place them in harms way, yes.  This is what most of the conversation is about for me for us all to reflect on what the risk factors are out there and maybe have a relook our own tolerance for taking that that risk.

 

Some will decide they willing to take the risk, and some will decide to change their routine.  

with that approach you may as well not ride your bike on the road at all as it will still be you that has a part in the blame as you are on the roads with a bicycle. .......

[nathrix]

more to the point, how is the rider doing ?

https://inthebunch.co.za/2019/12/well-known-cyclist-out-of-icu-after-horror-collision-with-bus/

[LeoKnight]

with that approach you may as well not ride your bike on the road at all as it will still be you that has a part in the blame as you are on the roads with a bicycle. .......

 

Jip, that is the point / opinion I am stating. 

 

It is your choice in how much risk you willing to assume in the enjoyment of life.  (high risk vs high reward). If you want to participate in high risk events make sure your affairs are in order in the case of the a life changing incident.  That is why I think it is good for these type of reporting as it makes us all reflect on if it happened to us would there be something we would change. 

[nathrix]

with that approach you may as well not ride your bike on the road at all as it will still be you that has a part in the blame as you are on the roads with a bicycle. .......

Apparently cyclist have no right to be on "their" roads as we do not pay license fees, don’t own cars, we cause potholes and kill thousands of people each year..

 

The doc also tried to avoid being killed by a bus

 

https://twitter.com/jeroenswart/status/1203266136135081985

Edited December 9, 2019 by nathrix ® ©™

[Long Wheel Base]

IICR, this is not Lincolns first serious accident. I can't remember if the last one had a vehicle involved but a few years back I remember he was in hospital from a crash or sorts. Anyone else remember the details? I wish him a speedy recovery, he is a decent guy that invests in the sport. We need more like him in this country. I am not getting involved in the other discussion about who was wrong/right, I simply want to wish the guy well regards.

[dannygirl]

That bus driver should be forced to ride a bicycle on that stretch until he learns how a bus/truck sucks you in when they pass too close.

 

They should make it a requirement for passing a driver's licence:  to ride a bicycle on a road shared by vehicles.  Only then might there be some understanding. 

 

Its the same with pedestrians that get killed while crossing a motorway - most have probably never driven a car on a highway, and therefore have no grasp of the speed / lack of visibility etc. 

 

Heal up soon.

[Patchelicious]

He is wrong, no they wrong, no you are wrong for saying they are wrong, well the experts say he was wrong, no other experts say the other he was wrong.... while everybody is bickering about who is "right", people are being knocked over and some killed.

 

What I would take from this thread is that bus driver are dangerous and if you cycle on roads where there are buses, take extra care.

 

This forum is not going change the bus drivers behavior, but it could change ours.

[Patchelicious]

"The bus driver swerved towards King and hit his handlebars while the rider was descending Saartjiesnek Pass at around 70km an hour."

 

So the bus driver was speeding too. ????

Edited December 9, 2019 by Patchelicious

[jimmycool]

Regarding the legality of cycling to the left of the yellow line it is actually allowed and in fact recommended according to the road traffic act.

 

We discussed this at some length a few years ago on the hub. I can't search for the posts now on my phone but I will link to them later but the important thing in the act which changes what was posted previously in this thread about where a vehicle can and can't drive is a section pertaining specifically to bicycles only.

 

Also, remember that you only find emergency lanes on freeways on which you are not allowed to cycle anyway.