Rant - Freeway cyclists

[DesertConvert]

So, there I was driving to work on Saturday morning, 6:45 (read: I was already unhappy about this), along the N4 towards Pretoria North, when I see 2 road cyclists on the opposite carriageway on a morning training ride. 2 thoughts popped into my head at this point: 1) Even at this time in the morning you could be run over by a dozing driver. 2) It is ILLEGAL for cyclists to be riding on a freeway (I believe the minimum allowed is a 125cc motorcycle?). Why do educated(?) cyclists do this(and they were not the only ones on the N4 on this particular morning)?

 

I understand that other roads can be just as dangerous, if not worse. I understand a freeway is a lovely uninterrupted piece of tarmac free of traffic lights, stop signs & circles. But it's still not legal to cycle there. It's challenging enough getting non-cyclists to be aware of cyclists and our right to be on the road. Don't make it even more challenging! I'll just assume that the parties in question are not hubbers, since we have a little more common sense (I hope!).

 

[AndreZA]

Are you sure it is a freeway? Not all "N" roads are freeways. We have the N14 this side that changes from a freeway to a normal road and then it is free for everybody to use and it is still called the N14.

[DesertConvert]

Well, at which point does a freeway become a normal road? I didn't see any signs to that effect. Maybe I missed them?

[DesertConvert]

Just out of interest:

 

http://roadsafety.co.za/2009/07/23/where-does-it-say-i-may-not-cycle-on-the-freeway/

 

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/highway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeway

 

[chuck]

1 - common sense is not as common as you think

 

2 - if you ever find out why 'educated' cyclist do these types of thing we will be able to resolve all issues including roadies vs MTB, cars vs bicycles and motorcycles vs bicycles

 

[ASTANA]

We cycle on the N1. Worcester / De Doorns area.

 

Where else. No problem, huge yellow lanes. And you look after yourself - keep way left. The thing is - traffic is mostly trucks and taxi's - doing the CT - JHB trip, with occasional cars obviously.

 

Thing is-  there are no other roads long enough to ride on.

 

not by option. I would rather train on a quite back road somewhere than on the N1.

 

Besides - not putting anyone in danger. Compared to the cattle walking on the n1 past De Doorns town - along the squatter camps.

 

i know its not very helpful (building a better SA) to have such a mentality but just saying. Not saying do wrong things because one can get away with it...

 

I'm not going out on the N1 in Cape town or doing the N1/N7 /N2 thing around Stellenbosch - the other options are enough. Same goes for people in GP - enough other roads

 

 

 

[The_Break]

Are you sure it is a freeway? Not all "N" roads are freeways. We have the N14 this side that changes from a freeway to a normal road and then it is free for everybody to use and it is still called the N14.

 

What is the speed limit on that particular section? 120km/h. If so, then it is definitely a freeway. Lower may still be up for debate.

[bikemonster]

Here's the clue that nobody has mentioned:

 

 

 

http://roadsafety.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/freeway.jpg

[DesertConvert]

Based on the wikipedia definitions for Freeway & Highway, that whole road would certainly fall into one or the other category.

 

It's a catch 22 ... freeways, as ASTANA mentioned, are long stretches free of any stops etc. In addition they are generally in much better shape than urban roads, and have wide shoulders. Quite ideal for training rides. You will also not find much scum wandering around.

 

Problems will begin to crop up when more and more cyclists decide that the freeway is an ideal training area. When the flood begins, so will the flood of casualties.

 

My concern is for the well being of my fellow pedallers...

 

[DesertConvert]

 

Here's the clue that nobody has mentioned:

 

 

 

http://roadsafety.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/freeway.jpg

 

That is the sign I didn't look out for in my anger :-( I will check if it is present the next time I drive there

 

[idrive]

...... another point everyone has missed is that it is illegal to ride in the emergency lane!

[Minion]

 

...... another point everyone has missed is that it is illegal to ride in the emergency lane!

Unless it is between dawn and dusk, visibility is at least 150m, it is safe to do so and you have moved over to let other vehicles past (a pretty much permanent state for a cyclist).

 

[appycyclist]

In the new South Efrica anything goes so we can argue the point that the other roads are full of potholes.

[mikkelz]

I saw a cyclist (guy) having a nice cruise along the M3 heading south just before the Tokai turn-off this morning. 

[firewolf]

I am an emergency "so called" worker.  I understand emergency lanes... ride on the freeway anyway becuause it is actually safer and the yellow line is bigger and the traffic flow is more predictale.

[Cyclewizz]

Something very interesting another cyclists told me is that should you get knocked over on a highway and killed the Insurance company will keep your money & payout ZERO!!!!