Push Bikes Vs Cars

[LostDoggy]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Great thread Ernie....i would mostly fall on the side of the Bike riders except on one point that annoys the crap out of me....where there is a bike path in place and bike riders insist on riding on the road in peak times. Bloody Dynon Road every morning.....come on bike riders use the path before someone gets cleaned up!

[EasternWest]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Great thread Ernie....i would mostly fall on the side of the Bike riders except on one point that annoys the crap out of me....where there is a bike path in place and bike riders insist on riding on the road in peak times. Bloody Dynon Road every morning.....come on bike riders use the path before someone gets cleaned up!

That is a reasonable point, but to play the devils advocate a bit, I will use a quote from my brother. When confronted with an irate driver who raised this same point, his response (fair in my opinion) was "If you were walking along a shared footpath would you want bikes constantly coming past you at upwards of 30kph?"

Oh, and for the record, I have ridden to work nearly every day for the last four years (equal parts road and path) and some things to consider:

I have had zero punctures on the road. I have had upwards of 15 on the path. All caused by the broken bottles smashed on the path.

I have had zero confrontations/incidents on the road. In fact, my experiences have been mostly good and mutually courteous.

I have been abused multiple times by pedestrians on the path, even though I always call out to them politely and from a safe distance so as not to overly startle them. I always say hello/good morning/thankyou when I pass them.

Faced with these two facts, can you blame riders choosing the road over the path?

[Flamethrower]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

As someone who does a lot of cycling and driving, I can see both sides of the debate. I have had moron drivers "buzz" me while cycling, and have seen moron cyclists do stupid things whilst driving.

Great thread Ernie....i would mostly fall on the side of the Bike riders except on one point that annoys the crap out of me....where there is a bike path in place and bike riders insist on riding on the road in peak times. Bloody Dynon Road every morning.....come on bike riders use the path before someone gets cleaned up!

Agree 100%. I refuse to drive along Dynon Road now because of some close shaves caused by cyclists riding in the left hand lane, especially with B Doubles roaring past while I have been giving the cyclist a wide berth whilst overtaking them.

Footscray Road between Dudley Street and City Link is another problem area at night. So many stupid cyclists ride on the road in the left hand lane and then cut across traffic, many times without looking, to avoid the Bolte Bridge on ramp. To be fair just as many drivers do the same thing.

[Bornadog]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

As a few know on here, I'm a Police Officer who has been out on the road since June. That may not seem like a very long time, but I can offer the following observations:

• Car drivers and bike riders are just as bad as each other when it comes to breaking road rules.
• Between the two of them, they pale in comparison to the utter stupidity of pedestrians.
• The attitudes (and at times, conduct) of a very small minority of car drivers toward bike riders is one day going to get someone killed. We have far too many reports of cyclists being run off the road, tailed by car drivers, and other such behaviour.
• In the two incidents I have investigated where a collision with a bicycle has taken place, the bicycle rider has remained at the scene, admitted fault and accepted liability for damages.
• Cyclists riding two abreast are easily evaded with intelligent driving and a touch of patience. Cyclists riding one abreast, in most cases, pose virtually no traffic hazard whatsoever.

From a more personal point of view (nothing whatsoever to do with my employment as a Police Officer, I believe the argument that cyclists should have to pay registration is a complete nonsense. Cyclists:

• Create virtually no wear and tear on roads, particularly compared to a standard car,
• do not contribute to carbon emissions and pollution in the city,
• Are far less likely to be involved in a collision where a third party is killed or seriously injured, thus reducing impact on TAC/Healthcare expenses.
• Do not use petrol, which means a lower demand and a therefore lower price for petrol.

Just as there are cyclists that need to pull their head in, so there are plenty of drivers who seem to think that some road rules need only apply to them at certain times, and will try just about anything to excuse driving which is, at best, downright careless.

The only thing I don't agree on is the registration. I am not talking about a big fee, but rather a rego number so that the cyclists can be identified if they decide to scoot off after an incident.

For example
I was in Chapel st parked and my wheels were turned ready to enter the traffic and a bike rider decides to go in between me and a tram just as I was pulling out a bit. The biker rider starts abusing me, slams his hands on my bonnet and rides off. I actually ran after him but couldn't find him. Lucky there was no damage on my car, but I do not know who the hell he was. A rego number could help in those situations if there was damage etc.

[Before I Die]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

For example
I was in Chapel st parked and my wheels were turned ready to enter the traffic and a bike rider decides to go in between me and a tram just as I was pulling out a bit. The biker rider starts abusing me, slams his hands on my bonnet and rides off. I actually ran after him but couldn't find him. Lucky there was no damage on my car, but I do not know who the hell he was. A rego number could help in those situations if there was damage etc.

I don't condone the bike rider's action in striking your car, but from your description of the incident it sounds like you failed to give way and incorrectly pulled out in front of traffic.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

That is a reasonable point, but to play the devils advocate a bit, I will use a quote from my brother. When confronted with an irate driver who raised this same point, his response (fair in my opinion) was "If you were walking along a shared footpath would you want bikes constantly coming past you at upwards of 30kph?"

Oh, and for the record, I have ridden to work nearly every day for the last four years (equal parts road and path) and some things to consider:

I have had zero punctures on the road. I have had upwards of 15 on the path. All caused by the broken bottles smashed on the path.
I have had zero confrontations/incidents on the road. In fact, my experiences have been mostly good and mutually courteous.

I have been abused multiple times by pedestrians on the path, even though I always call out to them politely and from a safe distance so as not to overly startle them. I always say hello/good morning/thankyou when I pass them.

Faced with these two facts, can you blame riders choosing the road over the path?

C'mon, punctures are you kidding me?...a flat tyre V's a probable death! I am only talking about the peak times after those hours happy to share Dynon Road, and after this morning run into town add sun glare into the picture...it's a bloody nightmare!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

That is a reasonable point, but to play the devils advocate a bit, I will use a quote from my brother. When confronted with an irate driver who raised this same point, his response (fair in my opinion) was "If you were walking along a shared footpath would you want bikes constantly coming past you at upwards of 30kph?"

Oh, and for the record, I have ridden to work nearly every day for the last four years (equal parts road and path) and some things to consider:

I have had zero punctures on the road. I have had upwards of 15 on the path. All caused by the broken bottles smashed on the path.
I have had zero confrontations/incidents on the road. In fact, my experiences have been mostly good and mutually courteous.

I have been abused multiple times by pedestrians on the path, even though I always call out to them politely and from a safe distance so as not to overly startle them. I always say hello/good morning/thankyou when I pass them.

Faced with these two facts, can you blame riders choosing the road over the path?

C'mon, punctures are you kidding me?...a flat tyre V's a probable death! I am only talking about the peak times after those hours happy to share Dynon Road, and after this mornings run into town add sun glare into the picture...it's a bloody nightmare!!

[EasternWest]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

C'mon, punctures are you kidding me?...a flat tyre V's a probable death! I am only talking about the peak times after those hours happy to share Dynon Road, and after this mornings run into town add sun glare into the picture...it's a bloody nightmare!!

You've obviously never changed a puncture.

And probable death? It's only probable death if one or both behave incorrectly (which is no doubt what you're seeing on Dynon Rd). As I've said before, courtesy and consideration on both sides will make life easier.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

You've obviously never changed a puncture.

And probable death? It's only probable death if one or both behave incorrectly (which is no doubt what you're seeing on Dynon Rd). As I've said before, courtesy and consideration on both sides will make life easier.

Don't wanna get in a slangging match over this, i have already stated i mostly agree with what you and others have said in regard to this issue however ...during the busy times both lanes of this road are full with little room to move in or out of lanes and moving aroud riders becomes dangerous for both parties!!

[EasternWest]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Nah not a slanging match at all. I'm hearing you, it must be frustrating. All I'm saying is I can see why people prefer to ride on road, with the inherent risks, than paths.

Good luck with your drive home tonight!

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Let me just say that boofhead David SCHWARTZ Is zero help in this matter with his smug belittling of bike riders on SEN.
He also has referred to foreign taxi drivers, on air, as "rickshaw retards".
Hope we don't have a John Laws/Alan Jones on the brew there.

[EasternWest]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Let me just say that boofhead David Nietz Is zero help in this matter with his smug belittling of bike riders on SEN.
He also has referred to foreign taxi drivers, on air, as "rickshaw retards".
Hope we don't have a John Laws/Alan Jones on the brew there.

Schwarz?

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Schwarz?

Wow that's a big Clanger. Sorry. SCHWARTZ!
I have amended my post.

[Bornadog]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

I don't condone the bike rider's action in striking your car, but from your description of the incident it sounds like you failed to give way and incorrectly pulled out in front of traffic.

Actually all I ddi was turn the wheels ready to go into traffic, but there was a tram there so stopped. I didn't think an idiot would try and go between me and a tram. Anyway, the point I am making is the registration of bikes, just for identification.

[EasternWest]

Re: Push Bikes Vs Cars

Wow that's a big Clanger. Sorry. SCHWARTZ!
I have amended my post.

No need to apologise, we all maker errors. I just couldn't ever have imagined the ultimate gentleman, David Neitz, talking like that!