Road cyclists creating traffic safety issues —Gauteng

[Pure Savage]

I think the reality is, as I have seen recently on a number of instances is that a large bunch of cyclists with or without self appointed support vehicles cannot make it near impossible for other road users to use the roads for kilometers on end. It’s going to result in animosity, idiotic risk taking behaviors and ultimately the cyclists are going to loose. My most recent example from Sunday heading to Hennops MTB trail was a large bunch spread out with 2 support vehicles which had essentially created a 3 times abnormal load large type truck scenario. So by that logic all motorists must now sit behind this bunch at 30-40kph for 10-15 km’s?

 

That was my overarching question, what do we do as a community to avoid this?

 

Some suggestions

 

1. Support vehicles to have training or a code of conduct to adhere to, some thought needs to be presumably given to route planning in this regard

2. Where applicable, cyclists need to ride single file or and in smaller batches to allow other road users to safely pass where possible

3. Vehicles need to obey the law and treat cyclists as a vehicle with the appropriate consideration

4. Large bunches of cyclists cannot expect to rule the road without the result being that idiot motorists doing stupid things

 

Also if the slower moving car has the ability to split in half to allow for faster traffic to get past safely and where legally appropriate, should it not do so? I.e ride single file or even two abreast max where applicable

Another suggestion:

 

1. Drivers stop killing other road users.

 

That way people will not feel the need to have a follow vehicle, they will not need to ride in massive groups that will always end up 3 abreast, not always on purpose.

 

This weekend we have a little ride planned and have a follow vehicle, I was never keen on one personally but after seeing the idiotic way drivers pass single file cyclists its a no brainer.

[Pure Savage]

I have to agree with you on this note.

 

I see myself as a responsible cyclist, trying my level best to be considerate when I'm out on the road.

 

I'll keep as far left as possible when I'm going up a steep hill at 6-8kph, but when I am descending at 70+kph I see myself as completely part of traffic now and I will ride smack bang in the middle of the lane so there is no chance of a car pushing me off into the gutter and me breaking my neck.

The trick is just getting the driver to engage their brain. Line of cyclists single file, 20cm from edge or road going around a blind corner at 35km/h driver behind just sends it around the blind corner, car appears, panic as driver turns brain on and tries to not scratch his car. 

 

One should only overtake when its safe to do so. This includes single file cyclists, when you are 2 abreast it forces the driver to engage their brain.

[TNT1]

One should only overtake when its safe to do so. 

That's the thing, isn't it?

 

I mean you get taught that you must complete a legal and safe overtaking manoeuvre when you do your license test. Whether it's a cyclist, a cement truck, a donkey cart or any other wheeled vehicle.

 

If motorists would just obey the traffic laws.

 

The same for dicks on bikes. Stop at stop streets and red lights. Muppets.

[Pure Savage]

That's the thing, isn't it?

 

I mean you get taught that you must complete a legal and safe overtaking manoeuvre when you do your license test. Whether it's a cyclist, a cement truck, a donkey cart or any other wheeled vehicle.

 

If motorists would just obey the traffic laws.

 

The same for dicks on bikes. Stop at stop streets and red lights. Muppets.

In all honesty, its just people, not bikes, red lights mean nothing to people in SA.

[TNT1]

In all honesty, its just people, not bikes, red lights mean nothing to people in SA.

Yeah, all road users need to start doing the right thing. Not specific to one mode of transport.

[Maaknplan]

My favorite poem:

 

Here lies the body of William Jay Who died maintaining his right of way He was right, dead right, as he sped along, But he's just as dead as if he were wrong

[MTBeer]

Actually there are two points, you just too narrow minded to see them:

1. riding single file on a narrow road with no shoulder will always be dangerous and motorist will get annoyed and ask the question 'what are these roadies thinking riding on this road'

2. it's always roadies that are perceived to have bad attitudes, but guys on their mtb's also have attitudes and block/take up a fair bit of road space given the design/specs of their bikes

While you're riding an MTB on the road, gravel or tar, you're a roadie. Just saying.

[Pure Savage]

While you're riding an MTB on the road, gravel or tar, you're a roadie. Just saying.

Wait, is nobody using the term gravelie yet?

[MTBeer]

Wait, is nobody using the term gravelie yet?

dirt roadie.

[Mojoman]

Wait, is nobody using the term gravelie yet?

Or Groadie...

[TNT1]

Wait, is nobody using the term gravelie yet?

I use hipster doofus.

[Jewbacca]

I experienced a thing today. I crashed my road bike at speed and nearly slid into a car coming up chappies.

 

They would have dedded me and it would have been entirely my fault for crashing. Luckily that road surface is a cheese grater and I used my skin to stop.

 

I misjudged speed, corner, road debris, moisture and wham! So quickly one bad decision from me (in this case 'speeding') nearly ruined someone else's life as well as mine.

 

Thankfully not.

 

Today I learned that the consequences of speeding in any situation can so quickly go wrong, despite having done that same stretch way way faster a million times before, no matter how in control you think you are, 1 variable can change the game so quickly.

[Wannabe]

Hope you are not too smashed up, Chewie.

[Wet Ears]

Glad you lived to tell the tale

[Jewbacca]

Hope you are not too smashed up, Chewie.

2 broken metacarpals, 3 cracked ribs, lots of bruised and a heck of a lot of skin to grow back!

 

But no lasting damage and I can walk and type, so work can be done!

[ChrisF]

2 broken metacarpals, 3 cracked ribs, lots of bruised and a heck of a lot of skin to grow back!

 

But no lasting damage and I can walk and type, so work can be done!

 

And the bike ?

 

 

GLAD you are okay.

 

 

 

I am on that side later this afternoon ... been debating which roads to ride .... time constraints prevent me from doing a Constantia - Chappies - Noordhoek - Silvermine loop.  But the prospect of some of those very narrow sections and afternoon traffic certainly impacted the options !!  Considering doing a section from Lundadno towards Sea Point.  Open to advise from the locals