Road cyclists creating traffic safety issues —Gauteng

[Murrob]

Hi All, just wanted raise some concerns in terms of what I am seeing in and around the Cradle, Magalies and Hartebeespoort area’s. I have not seen this with organized/branded clubs training rides, but would not rule it out. I think it would be interesting to understand what the road traffic act says vs what is happening vs good common sense practices.

 

I note that I am mountain bike and road cyclist, but do spend more time on the dirt. Having only gotten back on the road bike Dec 2019, so have been out of the loop in terms of large training rides, typically riding road alone or in small groups.

 

Now to the topic, I have on a number of occasions now driving to MTB parks and or visits to game farms/lodges recently had near death encounters caused by cyclists riding in large bunches resulting in very frustrated drivers over taking on solid lines, forcing me off the road in my vehicle to avoid a head on collision. Also as recently an Sunday morning, heading out to Hennops MTB trail coming across private vehicles being used to support riders and actually trying to protect a large bunch of cyclists by driving with hazards on blocking drivers at 40k’s an hour, on a narrow road with a solid line. The bunch also being so spread out that there is no opportunity to safely over take even if there wasn’t a solid line. Also not riding in single file as I would expect road conditions to dictate. A bunch of people are going to get killed or badly hurt soon, and I am wondering what we can do as a community to avoid this, because surely the behavior cannot stand where large groups can seemingly do as they please on public open roads- also drivers need to abide by road rules, but even as a cyclist myself I thought what I saw was bang out of order.

 

Would be interested to hear others thoughts on the topic as it does seem to be getting out of hand as people get back to riding in groups again post lockdown. Also with the understanding that groups are more necessary now with crime considerations etc

 

Ride safe

Edited October 19, 2020 by Murrob

[fanievb]

[Headshot]

Please rename this one  - 

 

"MOTORISTS CREATING SAFETY ISSUES, EVERYWHERE, 24/7"

[Ispeed_V]

Road cycling traffic safety in and around Cradle, Magalies and Hartesbeespoort, Gauteng.

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

More context would go a long way to a more meaningful post.

[Long Wheel Base]

Sommer on a Monday, lekker man. Going to be a good week.

[Pure Savage]

Cyclists have killed far too many people this year on the roads!!

 

Oh wait, thats drivers.

[Veebee]

Road cycling traffic safety in and around Cradle, Magalies and Hartesbeespoort, Gauteng.

Cradle is closed to vehicles on weekends, did you not get the memo ?

[Murrob]

Sorry chaps, started this and got side tracked, only updated now.

[Murrob]

Let the flogging begin!

[ChrisF]

.... it would be interesting to understand what the road traffic act says vs what is happening vs good common sense practices.

 

....

 

Sadly not too much of that around these days .... not amongst cell-phone-operating-drivers, nor amongst SOME cyclists.

 

Last weekend I saw three cyclists riding side by side.  First two safely inside a very wide yellow lane, third blocking the road and forcing vehicles to cross over into the oncoming lane ....  "inconsiderate" may well be the best description for this type of being.   

 

Vissershok road, opposite D'Urbanville, that section with the very wide yellow lane .... for those wanting details.

 

 

But sadly "this choir" sings to a different tune .....

[Jbr]

Last weekend I saw three cyclists riding side by side.  First two safely inside a very wide yellow lane, third blocking the road and forcing vehicles to cross over into the oncoming lane ....  "inconsiderate" may well be the best description for this type of being.

Yes that is annoying, but it doesn't "force" anyone to overtake blindly on a solid line. When I'm stuck behind a very slow truck or watever slow vehicle I share the road with, I must wait till I can safely overtake, that is commonsense.

Edited October 19, 2020 by Jbr

[Ispeed_V]

This really made me laugh. Courtesy of Cycle Lab. 

 

Only 2 abreast or single file riding will be allowed.
Only Ride two abreast when it’s safe to do so and single file as an imperative when road conditions or circumstances leaves you no alternative to remaining safe. Listen to the instructions from your Group Leaders and exercise extreme caution and discipline when passing another peloton. DO NOT FAN OUT

[ChrisF]

Yes that is annoying, but it doesn't "force" anyone to overtake blindly on a solid line. When I'm stuck behind a very slow truck or watever slow vehicle I share the road with, I must wait till I can safely overtake, that is commonsense.

 

YES, IF the roadway does not allow the cyclists other opportunities ...

 

When there is a massive wide yellow lane, with no potholes, drain lids, no excuses .... nope, then the cyclists are "not playing nicely" ....

 

 

 

But hey, as said above, preaching to the wrong choir here ....

[Jbr]

YES, IF the roadway does not allow the cyclists other opportunities ...

 

When there is a massive wide yellow lane, with no potholes, drain lids, no excuses .... nope, then the cyclists are "not playing nicely" ....

 

 

 

But hey, as said above, preaching to the wrong choir here ....

I didn't say what they did was okay hey  I'm the first to moan when I see that kind of behaviour, weather I'm on my bike and have to get on the road to overtake (usually it's not the fitest that have this kind of behaviour) or in my car and have to make my way around them (safely)

Edited October 19, 2020 by Jbr

[The Ouzo]

Yes that is annoying, but it doesn't "force" anyone to overtake blindly on a solid line. When I'm stuck behind a very slow truck or watever slow vehicle I share the road with, I must wait till I can safely overtake, that is commonsense.

I was very surprised yesterday, cycling on the R25 the trucks generally fly past, I'm fully aware and am always on the ready to hop off the road onto the gravel, yet yesterday a number of trucks slowed right down and until they could safely pass me (even though on a couple of occasions I thought it was safe, but I guess a blind rise coming up made them rather wait)

 

I just hope my thank you waves were noticed by them.

[Lotus]

So true, and yet it goes on. But if we discourage fellow riders from calling others out then it seems we all condone bad behaviour.

 

Personally I've witnessed a number of fatal accidents in the Cradle over the years. It's a very dangerous place to ride.

 

And riding without concern for motorists and other riders (I'm talking about those a-holes in the "racing" bunches that ride wide and force cars to pass me closely) just shows the noobs out there how it's done. And so it continues.