Cycling in Sydney Australia
Baby, where did the love go? Etiquitte...
Valentines Day, the day of love yesterday got me thinking. Along with my recent commuting experience.
Baby, where did our love go?
Any chance we can bring back some etiquitte between us riders?
Last year we seemed to be all very civil to each other. This year is nothing of the sort.
One big one I have noticed is that there will be a queue of riders at a cycleway light (awesome scenario), yet increasingly one or two will push their way in front, and usually ride off pretty slow.
Over the last 12 months it was this unwritten rule (etiquette) that you took your place. Once the light was green and nothing oncomming it was all systems go though.
Its even starting to create some very near misses.
And if people are running reds, can they at least give way to those who have the green?
Burning people who you are likely to ride with everyday isn't really that smart, especially when one day they are likely to have a pump or tool when you need it.
Can we just get back to treating each other with courtesy and respect and having chats at red lights?
While its great that the agression from cars overall (in my experience) has dropped markedly, does it really ahve to be replaced from sources closer to my handlebars?
Too idealistic?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on -
I haven't really experienced the sort of negative behaviour you're talking about, but then I tend to be doing my commuting when there are fewer people about. Although I'll admit that I've stopped nodding/waving/talking to other cyclists when I'm east of about Five Dock, as 2 years of non-engagement from others has taught me a lesson. West of Five Dock everyone seems more likely to wave on the way past or chat at the lights.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on -
I'm not sure that linear queuing is the right way to go.
Often better to get a fat clump of riders going ASAP especially if the light phase is short.
I'd sooner faster riders went in front of me, even if I'm first to reach the line. Sometimes that assessment isn't going to work out, I don't mind.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew K on -
Maybe if I hadn't of missed this:
http://www.featherbrigade.blogspot.com.au/
There's the love!
I suppose the issue is that I have had a few near misses recently with bikes who seem just not to care at all about others. Just get in front, do whatever at all costs. Very 'car like' attitudes, which may even be a little unfair on cars as they have been increasingly tolerant and courteous.
I think it would be really bad form to have to use an Air Zound on a comrade, but if its a choice of that or coming off, I will have to take the bad form.
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Permalink Reply by Paul on -
I once had a guy abuse me "for going too slow" after the lights went green. Basically, we were next to each other at the stop line (in the left lane) when the lights went green. Once you cross the intersection, you need to move to the right into the road shoulder bike lane (road goes from two lanes to one lane + shoulder).
Anyway, the light went green and I took off. The other guy obviously did not anticipate the light change and took off about 3 seconds after me. I crossed the intersection, moving right to the road shoulder lane. The other guy then comes racing up behind me, pulls up next to me, and in a toffee nose english accent abuses me by saying "if you are going to take off from the lights first, at least have the deceny to go fast!", then he passed me and tried to drop me. He couldn't, because despite his assertion I was "slow", I was doing 30km/h uphill, lugging two panniers on a Hybrid bicycle. He was on a road bike with just a small backpack. I stayed with him until he turned off, so his huffing and puffing was for nought.
All I could think to myself was "what a total prat!". He was slow off the lights and then has a go at me because I got in front of him. Yes, he was at the lights first, but we were side by side when the lights changed. There was no reaction from him on the green, and I wasn't going to hang around waiting for him to make up his mind.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew K on
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That's awful, dreadful behaviour. Just no need for it. We all ride at different speeds, if you end up behind someone I just can't see the issue with waiting until safe to pass, it aint Le tour. Isn't this exactly what we expect from cars? Personally I believe you respect the person in front, and like Maritime law the overtaking person always gives way to those being overtaken, who got there before you in any event, and if you want to pass when safe, then go for it then.
It is precisely this kind of scenario I don't get. They were clearly angry (possibly well before you), you are now angry, and no one is 'enjoying the ride'.
Better that guy just get back in cage.
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Permalink Reply by Paul on
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I am currently commuting early morning and late afternoon, so I don't have to deal with many other cyclists anymore. Some mornings I won't see another cyclist until I am almost at work.
No idea what this guys issue was. I was too taken aback to respond to him.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Carr on -
I enjoy being stuck behind a single person on a bike or on their feet (pedestrian) its comforting to see that common sense is increasing in our congested city!!! But I have always hated and loathed the stupidity of being stuck behind a single person in a large 5 seater car who is blocking 1 to 2 lanes of public road trying to reverse park into a space to small for the huge steel bubble they brought with them.
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Permalink Reply by PeterT on -
PS: was the title a reference to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvsU4SNWPA ?
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Permalink Reply by Neil Alexander on -
No. I am supremely confident that this is the correct reference.
But where's Mr O' in all of this?
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Permalink Reply by Neil Alexander on
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Of course. :-)
But you really should add the link.
(I wonder if Milli Vanilli were inspired by this vid!)
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