Think Bike & Cyclist Safety

[bubblesm]

We all know that cyclists safety on our SA roads is challenging at the best of time.  Should we consider having a cycling specific representative assisting in their campaigns to include more safety for cyclists.  Can we do anything about the current problems and assist Think Bike to solve these, or making the cycling community's voice louder in some way?

 

Please indicate how you feel about the Think Bike inclusion in cycling and their campaigns to create more awareness.  Please leave comments and suggestions as well!

bubblesm2009-08-17 06:38:40

[Evan Andreou]

speak to Shaun Hannie of Sign-Up

[Rob22]

Think Bike make a major difference to races especially the dangerous ones. Their ability to ride ahead to make sure the next intersection is clear before the cyclists arrives make a big difference in terms of cyclist safety. Also their experience keeps growing with every race and many of the larger races are now getting TB involved.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[chuck]

Marshals like thinkbike at races definitely help but the unfortunate reality is that when we go to the road cyclists are still sitting ducks. And it will remain like this until something is done about enforcing some laws. Nothing will change how other road users feel about by life, or that of my children, unless there is some tangible consequence for your actions. This is true for all modes of transport. You don't like the biker in front of you? Kill the idiot, it's a bargain at R500. Cyclist taking too much road for you liking? Remove her from society for a mere R50 suspended fine. If you manage a kill it could set you back as much as R1500. Bottom line - until they stop chasing money by sitting in the bush  instead of doing visible policing we're screwed. Pessimistic? Maybe. Realistic? For sure.

[Canaris]

Think Bike cares about road safety, road cyclists don't.  Why should THINK BIKE, which has done amazing things for motorcycle road safety help people that refuse to help themselves?  At THINK BIKE we did a run of stickers with both the bicycle and the motorcyclist  on them, we handed them out to bike shops ext.  I see some in PTA, but the cycling community, when it came to foot the bill for the next "run" of stickers, ran away.  (We at TB have even designed a cycling shirt (mine was stolen this year)).When we approached the cycling community to come aboard at THINKBIKE over a year ago, we got a luke warm reception.  The general feeling was more "What can the motorcyclist do for the "unspecified" cyclist club ride", than the expected "How can cyclists get on board to improve road safety". 

 

Shaun with his sign up initiative, is probably the only visible thing road cyclists have done for themselves.  If we consider the "Safety tips" given and amount of time being spent on Supercycling about safety, we can see that there is no real urgency for the issue among the opinion makers within the cycling community.

 

THe best THINKBIKE can do is open its membership to cyclists, and when there is a significant group of cyclists belonging to THINK BIKE, give that group the support it needs to push cycling saftey as an independent project.  WAIT, that has been done, and to date there are only about 10 cyclists who have joined THINK BIKE. (most being motorcyclists as well)

 

[bubblesm]

Are those the true costs of fines related to killing people on motorbikes/bicycles?  What happened to the jail sentence?

[DavidE373]

The most enjoyable club rides I have attended have always had Think Bike marshalls at the major intersections.

 

One marshall, a rather large and scary looking fellow, even stopped a taxi who was trying to get past all the stopped traffic.  Respect!

[bubblesm]

I only had a brief look at the Sign-Up site - it seems they are working on education and signs.  I agree however that untill motorist are not fined/sentenced for killing motorbikers/cyclists, education is not going to be the only solution.

 

What are the fines for taking out a pedestrian?

bubblesm2009-08-18 05:25:54

[bubblesm]

As a motor biker and a cyclist alike, I am not turning a blind eye to what Think Bike has done to date for cyclists and motorbikes alike.  I'm just trying to establish if any attempts have been made to address cyclists current situation, and what the outcome of it was.  Below is a very good indication, thank you.

I might be wrong, I think it is chicken egg situation - cyclists won't join Think Bike untill they see the true benefit, and Think Bike cannot do more untill they have support from the cycling community.  I am willing to be both the chicken and egg, but don't want to re-invent the wheel while doing so.

Think Bike cares about road safety' date=' road cyclists don't.  Why should THINK BIKE, which has done amazing things for motorcycle road safety help people that refuse to help themselves?  At THINK BIKE we did a run of stickers with both the bicycle and the motorcyclist  on them, we handed them out to bike shops ext.  I see some in PTA, but the cycling community, when it came to foot the bill for the next "run" of stickers, ran away.  (We at TB have even designed a cycling shirt (mine was stolen this year)).When we approached the cycling community to come aboard at THINKBIKE over a year ago, we got a luke warm reception.  The general feeling was more "What can the motorcyclist do for the "unspecified" cyclist club ride", than the expected "How can cyclists get on board to improve road safety". 

 

Shaun with his sign up initiative, is probably the only visible thing road cyclists have done for themselves.  If we consider the "Safety tips" given and amount of time being spent on Supercycling about safety, we can see that there is no real urgency for the issue among the opinion makers within the cycling community.

 

THe best THINKBIKE can do is open its membership to cyclists, and when there is a significant group of cyclists belonging to THINK BIKE, give that group the support it needs to push cycling saftey as an independent project.  WAIT, that has been done, and to date there are only about 10 cyclists who have joined THINK BIKE. (most being motorcyclists as well)

 

[/quote']

[Slowbee]

 

Think Bike cares about road safety' date=' road cyclists don't.  

 

[/quote']

 

for that Mr Kona - you get a few beers !!

 

How was your transB ?

 

[chuck]

 

Are those the true costs of fines related to killing people on motorbikes/bicycles?  What happened to the jail sentence?

 

No, it's just an extrapolation of the type of things you could be fined for when you kill or hit a cyclist. Typically when a motorist hit a cyclist or pedestrian they get charged with something stupid like reckless driving, given a fine of a few rand and then because this is only the second time you paralyzed a child it is suspended.

 

I got taken out by a taxi a few year ago while riding in a +3m yellow lane. I was dragged for ~30m before a traffic cop who saw this happening stopped the bastard. Result for me - 3 months in ICU, 12 months not working, 10 years later I still sit with problems. Results for bastard - R50 suspended fine after the state refused to prosecute because of lack of evidence. I eventually got bastard to court on my own time and money and got zip.