Motorists vs Cyclists.... again

[ChrisF]

25 minutes ago, splat said:

Time to resort to a bit of Social Media attention...

 

 

Went through a similar saga a few years back .... driver reversed a company vehicle into my new car .... front fender toast.

 

When we tried to get the co.payment amount from the company ..... NO GO ....

 

Finally my insurance sent a lawyers letter to the driver .... he paid up.

[Shebeen]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:09 AM, cadenceblur said:

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/western-cape/cyclist-dies-after-tragic-incident-near-st-james-beach-breaking-trending-viral-cape-town/

 

getting a bit of airtime on the wireless too.

 

And obviously it's peak argust training season so lots of the annual motorist vs cyclist vibes flying around.

[Headshot]

This latest incident really brings home how dangerous road cycling and certain sections of road are.  Hard to train yourself not to swerve but your best bet when you get a sudden door open or some other obstacle in front of you must be to brake and hit the driver/door rather than try to turn unless you are certain the road is clear behind you.  

[Andreas_187]

14 minutes ago, Headshot said:

... your best bet when you get a sudden door open or some other obstacle in front of you must be to brake and hit the driver/door rather than try to turn unless you are certain the road is clear behind you.  

It doesn't work like that in reality 

[ChrisF]

Unpopular thought ....

 

SLOW DOWN in these heavy traffic spots.

 

Nothing to gain here, everything to loose.

[Headshot]

Just now, Andreas_187 said:

It doesn't work like that in reality 

Hence my point that its your bet bet to try not to swerve. Train yourself and in reality it can work like that. 

[ChrisF]

1 minute ago, Andreas_187 said:

It doesn't work like that in reality 

 

Having commuted by motorcycles for decades.

 

That which you PRACTICE, will be your muscle memory in that INSTANT.

 

Be slow enough to STOP on a dime.

[NC_lurker]

Just now, ChrisF said:

Unpopular thought ....

 

SLOW DOWN in these heavy traffic spots.

 

Nothing to gain here, everything to loose.

Honestly Chris, you have no idea what you're talking about.

I ride through this section multiple times a week. It's got nothing to do with slowing down and everything to do with the fact that people just don't give a toss about anyone else nowadays. It's really not hard to check before you open your car door. It's really not hard to not tailgate a cyclist (or other motorist).

In actual fact, I purposely speed up when riding north from Kalk Bay. The less cars that feel the need to pass me, the safer it it.

[Vishal72]

Had 2 close calls riding between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay yesterday around 7h30, in both cases drivers opening doors whilst parked at the roadside, it was very busy yesterday, luckily I was riding slowly

Edited Monday at 11:23 AM by Vishal72

[ChrisF]

5 minutes ago, NC_lurker said:

Honestly Chris, you have no idea what you're talking about.

I ride through this section multiple times a week. It's got nothing to do with slowing down and everything to do with the fact that people just don't give a toss about anyone else nowadays. It's really not hard to check before you open your car door. It's really not hard to not tailgate a cyclist (or other motorist).

In actual fact, I purposely speed up when riding north from Kalk Bay. The less cars that feel the need to pass me, the safer it it.

 

Jip, I DO know ....

 

 

I did say it is not a popular thought.

 

 

Race by all means .... you KNOW the risks.

 

 

Be safe people

[cadenceblur]

out of interest - would any action be taken against the individual that opened their door?

[Headshot]

1 hour ago, NC_lurker said:

Honestly Chris, you have no idea what you're talking about.

I ride through this section multiple times a week. It's got nothing to do with slowing down and everything to do with the fact that people just don't give a toss about anyone else nowadays. It's really not hard to check before you open your car door. It's really not hard to not tailgate a cyclist (or other motorist).

In actual fact, I purposely speed up when riding north from Kalk Bay. The less cars that feel the need to pass me, the safer it it.

No, he does. Yes, we've all had close calls multiple times with cars. Yes they don't give a toss, but you can mitigate the risk by riding ultra defensively. That's all.

Edited Monday at 12:50 PM by Headshot

[Murrob]

Yeah, another unpopular action. I will go to the middle of the road in sections where  it’s narrow and I have to worry about being doored or with lots of concealed entrances/exits. Also no matter the time of day I ride with flashing lights front and rear. I try be polite about it and will move left as soon as safe to do so with a thank you to vehicle behind me. 
 

Condolences to the family of the deceased.

[Headshot]

1 minute ago, cadenceblur said:

out of interest - would any action be taken against the individual that opened their door?

Probably not criminally, but there is a potential civil claim that would be based on negligence and causation. 

[MongooseMan]

1 hour ago, Murrob said:

Yeah, another unpopular action. I will go to the middle of the road in sections where  it’s narrow and I have to worry about being doored or with lots of concealed entrances/exits. Also no matter the time of day I ride with flashing lights front and rear. I try be polite about it and will move left as soon as safe to do so with a thank you to vehicle behind me. 
 

Condolences to the family of the deceased.

This, especially in the section in question. Hoot at me all you like, I'm gonna be at least a car door's width from the kerb from Muizenberg to the end of Kalk Bay.

[Meezo]

1 minute ago, MongooseMan said:

This, especially in the section in question. Hoot at me all you like, I'm gonna be at least a car door's width from the kerb from Muizenberg to the end of Kalk Bay.

here and in beach road where the young cyclist last his life last year, i do the same. also going home from work does lower main road i do the same within reason...