A few rules of the road I came across

[Tiny K]

Bicycles are legal traffic, too

 

 

Everyone in Cape Town wants less traffic congestion, a quicker commute, more parking spaces, better air quality, less of your rates and taxes spent on road maintenance and upgrades, and quieter, more child-friendly neighbourhoods...

 

Which is why the City of Cape Town has a Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) and Public Transport Policy, which makes cyclists, pedestrians and public transport a priority.

 

Cyclists (riding for sport, recreation and for transport) have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists – and the Road Traffic Act defines a cyclist as a driver of a motor vehicle. South African roads are public spaces, and cyclists have the right to ride on them, and the responsibility to obey traffic laws (just like motorists do!).

 

Cyclists have the right to expect motor vehicles to overtake them safely, and look out for them at intersections. The Road Traffic Act is clear: drivers must take other road users into account in whatever they do. Cyclists also have the right to the left-hand side of the road (not the extreme edge of the left-hand side).

 

But it’s not always easy to share the road with a slower-moving vehicle, especially if you’re not a cyclist yourself. So here are a few ‘tips’ on how to understand, and anticipate, the way in which a cyclist ‘drives’…

 

Why do cyclists ride in the road – not on the very edge?

 

Because cyclists have the RIGHT to safety, and a right to the road.

Because safety is a priority, and that’s where a motorists is most likely to see a cyclist!

Cyclists should ride about one metre from the edge of the road/ pavement to make sure that motorists can see them, and overtake them with due care.

Because the far-left section of a road is often covered in glass or ‘cats eyes’, making it dangerous for cyclists.

Because the road camber (‘angle’) and gutters are often dangerous on the road edges.

Because if it’s windy, they won’t be blown off the road.

Because that’s where cyclists can avoid being hit by a car door.

Watch for cyclists at all times

 

Bicycles are vehicles and may take the entire lane. Scan for cyclists in traffic and give them the appropriate right-of-way.

Children and novice riders can be unpredictable, so expect the unexpected.

Watch for cyclists before opening car doors.

Don’t drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs.

Always check your blind spots.

Drive predictably.

When you are turning left at an intersection, watch for cyclists who might be carrying on straight.

When turning right, across the traffic, watch for cyclists who might be coming toward you from the opposite direction (cyclists could be obscured by ongoing cars).

Cyclists are often faster than you realise – you might think there’s time to take the gap in the traffic, but next second there’s a cyclist in your path.

If it’s windy, be aware that a cyclist may be blown into your path.

Drive at the speed limit.

Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at stop signs.

Allow extra time for cyclists to go through the intersections or traffic lights.

Why more bicycles on roads are better for us all...

 

Less traffic congestion

More parking spaces for cars

Less noise

Less pollution

Better air quality

Better quality of public spaces

Less road-maintenance required

Fewer cars on the roads

Bicycle infrastructure is inexpensive to build and maintain

Quieter neighbourhoods with potentially higher property values

A knowledge that our country and city is acting on its promise to provide for the rights of its citizens, not only those who are able to afford to own and run motor vehicles.

Follow these steps if you witness or are party to a collision involving a cyclist:

Report the incident to the local police within 24 hours

Send an email to accidents@pedalpower.org.za and include the following:

- Date of incident

- Time of day

- Venue

- A brief description of the incident

- Your contact details

 

A cyclist and pedestrian is always more vulnerable than a driver, so please look out for us; we all have a right to be on the road, and a right to survive our journey.

 

To read the full text of the Road Traffic Regulations, visit

http://www.transport.gov.za/library/regulations/1999/

 

Note that the regulations on this website do not reflect subsequent amendments.

 

taken from here

[splat]

This is all good and well, but do motorists know this?

Are they being informed of any of this?

Will this be printed in local newspapers as part of the cyclists awareness campaign that always runs in the lead up to the Argus.

 

A lot of it is common sense (and we know that is often in short supply), but the average motorist isnt really aware that this is how things should be.

The average motorist will probably reply with something along the lines of 'the average cyclist is an idiot and behave badly on the road' anyway.

[Slave]

Like he said, all well and good.

 

I know I have a right to be on the road and to use it and to be safe while doing so.

 

But that means jack when a car weighs ten times more than me and the bike combined. Safety is about being aware and cautious as opposed to being right.

 

In this mornings traffic, my commute was a bit slower but still a lot faster than by car. Greener too. Been commuting for just over 6 months now and I enjoy it more and more. I would love to see more commuters out there.

 

Oh and yes, we have to earn any repsect we get from motorists. I daresay that they hate when ther see us zip by and not get bogged down in traffic. And so they will look for any reason to dis us. So we should therefore stop at all traffic signs that require us to do so.

[minjin]

I was in the car on Saturday with my wife and we drove past a biggish bunch of cyclists who were riding taking up about half a lane (it was a double lane). My dear wife started bitching about them and how uncouth and selfish it is and that they should ride in single file - this after I have been riding for almost 14 years on the road. I proceeded to explain to her that I think it is safer for them to ride like that as cars will typically then give them a wider berth as they go past. If they are too close to the pavement and in single file, they driver may try sneak past them and in turn gutter them. She looked at me with the special look that says "You talk K@K and are an idiot"

 

I was very tempted to "skop" her out the door at 60 kph

[Aedon]

With your comments in mind:

 

Did you also know that Cape Town by-laws prohibit cyclists from:

 

Standing whilst riding their bicycles and that you have to stay seated at all times,

Removing their hands from the handlebars, it follows that when you win the Argus in March

you may not raise your hands in salute and should be disqualified.

[Tiny K]

Well here is what my wife had to say about the article:

 

"what the article fails to state is that the pedestrians and cyclists need to use common sense and also obey traffic rules............

but i guess they don't care about that. stuff like that just pisses me off, coz it's all about the cyclist but never once do they say that they're suppose to obey the normal rules of the road"

 

"anyways, last bit of rant - it's the same as the think bike campaign, nowhere do they press on cyclist and motor cyclists to use the road properly. it's always the car's fault if there's a bike accident. yes somethimes the ppl didn't look b4 they turned into the road in front of the bike but most of the time the bike was going way too fast to be able to react."

 

I must say I have to agree with her. In an article like this they should actually state the laws that govern cyclists and pedestrians because from this article they are just punting the pro's of being a cyclist, and excluding the con's (laws) that come with it hand in hand.

Edited January 25, 2011 by SirK

[Woofie]

I was in the car on Saturday with my wife and we drove past a biggish bunch of cyclists who were riding taking up about half a lane (it was a double lane). My dear wife started bitching about them and how uncouth and selfish it is and that they should ride in single file - this after I have been riding for almost 14 years on the road. I proceeded to explain to her that I think it is safer for them to ride like that as cars will typically then give them a wider berth as they go past. If they are too close to the pavement and in single file, they driver may try sneak past them and in turn gutter them. She looked at me with the special look that says "You talk K@K and are an idiot"

 

I was very tempted to "skop" her out the door at 60 kph

 

 

Dont worry.

When my wife starts moaning about the cyclists I just have to hold my mouth too.

 

I commute and ride alot, and unless she was in our shoes they will never understand.

 

The general mindset of alot of motorists in this country is wrong.

 

And they almost need a big wakeup call such as if you hit a cyclist on the road, not even kill them, but just driving into them, they should go straight to jail and ask questions later.

[reteid]

when it comes to road safety with my bike it is better for me to be a living dog than a dead lion.(p=mv) impact = mass times velocity ie i am always going to loose out.

[Grebel]

RESPECT or the lack there of is the problem. Motorists need to respect the fact that we have a right to use the road and we need to respect the fact the they have a right to be there as well. Ride smart and except for extreme circumstances that are beyond your control, you should be fine.

 

Europe don't have the same problems because they respect each other.

 

The problem is educating the majority of motorists... Any ideas?