Cycling in Sydney Australia
Get a better handle on the dangers of cycling
Excellent letter by Bob Moore in the SMH today on the miniscule risks pedestrians face from cyclists.
Well done Bob!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Moore on -
Geez, I was waiting for someone else to notice. One reader rang to give me a bit of an earful about my statement on giving way on a cyclepath. I should have added in my letter that of course cyclists have to give way to pedestrians on a marked or signalised crossing, then he wouldnt have had any ammunition. But my point was about the levels of actual risk that Prof Grz worked out.
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Permalink Reply by Martin on -
I think the heading is really a bit misleading, but I guess that was the editor's doing?
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Permalink Reply by tonydelyall on -
I thought it was a great letter Bob. Good to get some real facts out there.
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Permalink Reply by timothy.clifford on -
Nice letter.
I noticed this week that every time I stop the bike for a pedestrian at a Bourke St crossing, they seem suspicious and then surprised. This is quite sad on such a beautiful strip of road.
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Permalink Reply by Jon on
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Don't worry Tim, a pedestrian being suspicious and then surprised is a standard thing now. When I walk somewhere, no cars ever stop for me. When I drive somewhere, pedestrians almost faint form shock that a car stopped so they can cross at a marked crossing (like they are all meant to.)
Never ridden on a cycleway only shared paths, so can't comment on bike-pedestrian crossing interactions.
I think someone on here recently summed it up well with "might is right (of way)" attitude
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Permalink Reply by markysharky on
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I have periodically heard Mr Harold Scruby, on behalf of the Pedestrian Council, demonizing the ways of cyclists. There is a case to answer that some cyclists need to slow down and exercise mindfulness within shared areas. The overriding experience is there are a large number of pedestrians who can be reckless. Totally enguaged with their ipad, mobile phone and even texting while crossing the road or cycleway; what are they thinking?
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Permalink Reply by Da Munch on
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On Pyrmont Bridge the other day I passed a male ped who was reading a book, talking on his phone and walking hazardously all at the same time - amazing!
p.s I say "male" because we apparently we can't multi task, which I find weird cause most chefs are male ... ooops the pasta is burning
p.p.s thanks bob
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Russell on -
GJ!
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Permalink Reply by Aaron K on
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Thanks Bob!
I especially liked this bit:
"As well, cycling skills and responsibilities should be taught in our schools"
Here's a country that does it, let's copy them (i'm sure they won't mind):
(Just an afterthought, maybe we could get our Own Princess Mary to do the honours for our kids, handing out the certificates, I dare say she rides in Denmark as well, I reckon she is just as hot if not hotter! (lols))
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on -
What a nice way of re-calibrating an irresponsible clown!
Friday was a 3 ride case of AU peds not understanding cycling at all. No less than 4 ped-cyclist sharepath conflicts where the ped did the wrong thing. No apologies and one got pissy with my co-rider who was there but uninvolved.
Strange that drivers seemed to be less of a problem that day, it could be that at last most - not all - drivers do comprehend sharing road with cyclists yet peds absolutely not.
One lady did use the Iron Cove Bridge shared path properly that day wrt incoming me. She is German!
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Permalink Reply by Martin on
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A response to Bob's letter is in the SMH today.
It contains all the usual stuff: cyclists riding through red lights, riding on foot paths and the inevitable "registration for all cyclists". In the brain of the average reader, I don't think there is a difference between anecdotal evidence and the data acquired in the formal study that Bob cited.
Is it worth submitting a response?
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Permalink Reply by Dabba on -
"Is it worth submitting a response?"
Absolutely!
It's a good thing that motorists are registered. Imagine how much they'd break the law now if they weren't! Why they'd be parking illegally, speeding, driving through red lights, talking and texting on the phone, tailgating, driving dangerously, reading the newspaper while driving, overtaking across unbroken lines, driving while unlicenced in an unregistered vehicle, killing 1500 innocent people each year and maiming thousands more ........ But wait a minute, doesn't this all still happen all too often, and they're registered?
Registration shows that they've paid an inadequate tax on motor vehicles. It doesn't mean that they can behave as they please on the road, nor does it confer on them the sole right to use the road or the need for society to provide them with a cheap carpark.
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