Cyclist Knocked Down in Walmer PE

[Dirty Twin]

This morning on my way to drop the lad off at school came across an accident scene as the Policeman was waving us past I looked to see if it was someone I knew and saw a mate lying on the ground.

 

Cyclist is Chris Garner and it happened at the C/O Main Road and Fordyce in Walmer. Jumped out the car Chris said he was OK but was taken away in the Ambulance. Oh he was hit by a SAPS vehicle.

 

Details of what happened are sketchy but from where the SAPS vehicle was standing it looks like Chris did not see him at the Stop street.

Dirty Twin2008-11-18 23:30:06

[Azonic]

I was in that same group this morning, but turned off to my house probably about 3km before where this happened.

 

I must admit I was getting a weird "feeling/vibe" riding in the bunch this morning that something was going to happen.

 

[slowpoke]

eish, hope he heals up soon

[Azonic]

Coming past Pine Lodge this morning in this group a right asshole came from behind, and us being a big group taking up the entire lane, he overtook us in the oncoming lane. Lots of bends and blind rises, this oke didn't give a ****. He just hoots and hoots and hoots and goes past. Some cyclists coming from the opposite side had to swerve off the road because there was no place to go with this idiot in his bakkie taking up the oncoming lane.

[controlc]

Details of what happened are sketchy but from where the SAPS vehicle was standing it looks like Chris did not see him at the Stop street.

 

Coming past Pine Lodge this morning in this group a right asshole came from behind' date=' and us being a big group taking up the entire lane, he overtook us in the oncoming lane. Lots of bends and blind rises, this oke didn't give a ****. He just hoots and hoots and hoots and goes past. Some cyclists coming from the opposite side had to swerve off the road because there was no place to go with this idiot in his bakkie taking up the oncoming lane. [/quote']

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but If I'm reading these two statements correctly, then "Chris" jumped a stop street? And you were NOT riding single file and taking up an entire lane?

 

You can't call the drivers idiots if you cycle like idiots

[wisecrack]

People often say riding in a bunch is safer strangely I don't get that feeling so i rather train alone and make myself as visible as possible.

 

Hope the rider is okay would be good if you can perhaps give us an update later in the day DT.

 

[slowpoke]

controlc, i have to admit that i agree with you - hence my only comment on the injured dude is that i hope he heals up soon.

 

as to azonic's issue - i tried to bite my tongue, but now that you've brought it up - sorry azonic, but the law says you must ride in single file. the law further states that it is wrong to prevent someone from overtaking - which it sounds like the bunch was doing? accepted, the driver should not have reacted the way he did - 2 wrongs don't make a right, but the actual blame for the oncomming cyclist having to veer off the road actually lies with the bunch, not the driver.

[djvr]

Details of what happened are sketchy but from where the SAPS vehicle was standing it looks like Chris did not see him at the Stop street.

 

 

?

 

Coming past Pine Lodge this morning in this group a right asshole came from behind' date=' and us being a big group taking up the entire lane, he overtook us in the oncoming lane. Lots of bends and blind rises, this oke didn't give a ****. He just hoots and hoots and hoots and goes past. Some cyclists coming from the opposite side had to swerve off the road because there was no place to go with this idiot in his bakkie taking up the oncoming lane. [/quote']

 

?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but If I'm reading these two statements correctly, then "Chris" jumped a stop street? And you were NOT riding single file and taking up an entire lane?

 

?

 

You can't call the drivers idiots if you cycle like idiots

 

 

 

Putting my foot in as well

 

 

 

This is exactly why motorist feel nothing for cyclist. Sorry to say but you cyclist were at fault and not the motorist

[Azonic]

The bunch was easily 60 riders or more and at the place when I made my post, the bunch always "bunches" up. That's just how it happens. At one point near Shark Rock Pier the group did jump a robot past cars that were standing and waiting for green. I didn't agree with that as I try to always stop where possible. The lights was green when I rolled over the intersection.

 

The part of the route that Dirty Twin speaks about there are no stop streets for the cyclists. 8th Avenue is a long straight road with side streets coming in, and they have stop signs. The c/o Fordyce and 8th would have been a stop for the police vehicle and a free road to the bunch.

 

 

[Azonic]

Hey, I'm not picking a fight here about who was right and who was wrong. 99% of the time I'm sitting right on the left hand shoulder of the road, I hate being near the middle. Most of the Marine (what the ride is called), the bunch rides two abreast. The part of the route I'm talking about is just after a slight downhill, and as the accordion effect would have it, the bunch just compresses a bit but then soon goes two abreast again.

 

Maar anyway, hope Chris recovers soon.

 

DT, is he the oke on the yellow and blue Raleigh?

 

 

[porky]

Coming past Pine Lodge this morning in this group a right asshole came from behind' date=' and us being a big group taking up the entire lane, he overtook us in the oncoming lane. Lots of bends and blind rises, this oke didn't give a ****. He just hoots and hoots and hoots and goes past. Some cyclists coming from the opposite side had to swerve off the road because there was no place to go with this idiot in his bakkie taking up the oncoming lane. [/quote']

 

Perhaps you should not have been taking up the left lane.

 

I just love these comments, ............and we wonder why there are accidents.??

 

Will there be a protest ride now Azonic?, I think its a good idea, typical idiot, incondsiderate, drivers. Teach them a lesson.!!

 

The mind just boggles.!

[Dirty Twin]

This is why I hardly ever ride on the road anymore?

We all need an attitude adjustment me thinks.

 

As SP said 2 wrongs don't make a right.

[Azonic]

Ok, let me give some more details. 200 meters past the point where he overtook us, the road gets straight and widens quite a bit. What get me angry is not that he overtook us, its that he overtook us at a point that was unsafe to us AND himself. He just could have waited for 10 seconds behind the group and everyone would have been safe.

 

[Dirty Twin]

Maar anyway' date=' hope Chris recovers soon.

DT, is he the oke on the yellow and blue Raleigh?
 
[/quote']

 

No he was riding a White Silverback Arizona.

[Dirty Twin]

Going to go the House/Hospital a bit later. Will give update later.

[Captain Slow]

 

 

Firstly, let me state that the laws of the road need to be adhered to and respected by all!

 

Secondly, if you have 60 cyclists riding single file it stretches for quit a distance and if the driver of a vehicle gives the cyclists 1.5 meters space, he is encroaching on the oncoming lane which is dangerous, not only to oncoming traffic, but also to the motorist trying to overtake and especially the cyclists.

 

Now, lets say that the group was bunched up and took over the entire lane and this reduced the profile to lets say a length of an average truck & trailer. In my opinion (just mine & is debatable) I think this makes it safer as the vehicle has to slow down and pass when safe to do so (I know, drivers are very impatient people). If this was indeed a truck & trailer fully loaded traveling at 30km/h, what would the driver of the bakkie then do?

 

Just my 2c and not necessary legal, but safer!

 

Captain Slow2008-11-19 00:12:41