Cycling in Sydney Australia
Idiots on bike lanes
As a 60km a day commuter I am starting to believe that roads are becoming a safer place than bike lanes in rush hour. In the 5 years that I have commuted I have noticed more dangerous and inconsiderate riding and more incidents as a result.
Don't get me wrong, I think bike lanes are great, but as more people use them, more people seem to lack common sense and courtesy. At least on the road there are rules, and I expect drivers to do stupid things.
In the last few weeks::
- I have witnessed a head on collision with one rider riding on the wrong side of the bike path on a corner. It wasn't a pretty site, and there was plenty of blood and bent wheels. The poor guy who got hit had no chance.
- I witness daily, riders who refuse to slow down or give way where roads cross bike paths. Only today a rider cut me off to the point I skid and hit the deck just braking to avoid him.
- I've had multiple people run too close, or clip me whilst using footbridges, obviously they're going too fast, or do not have the skills manoeuvre a bike around a tight bend.
- I've seen dozens of riders who refuse to slow down in areas where there are pedestrians, lots of bikes and little vision due to shadows and corners.
I don't want to start an argument here, but if you're going to use a cycle lane then apply some common sense and courtesy. If you want to get to work earlier, leave home earlier, do not try to gain 10 seconds by cutting corners, riding too fast for your ability, or not giving way at crossings, etc.
Perhaps bike lanes need part time policing, the RTA needs to do some educational marketing, or we as riders have to remind ourselves and one another.... I do not know the answer, but I do get frustrated that people cannot ride safely, particularly after the government has invested in bike lanes. Think about it, if bike lane accidents increase, then how will that fair in promoting investment in bike lanes in the future?
Replies are closed for this discussion.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PaulJ on -
There is a recent independant study from the out of court settlement between CoS and David Hannan that showed that there has been fewer accidents and it safer on Bourke Rd since the cycleway was built.
A bit of info here
Safety on Bourke Road has improved
In the five years prior the Bourke Road cycleway opening, total Bourke Road crashes averaged 21 per year, in the past 12 months there were six.
Crash data reveals improved driver, walker and rider safety along Bourke Road, when comparing 2010 with the previous 5 years.
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Total crashes30
15
28
18
14
6
Source: Police and Roads and Maritime Services (formerly RTA) crash data.
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Permalink Reply by Blue on -
And there are more people riding on that road. Eg less now on O'Riordan (which is a horrible, horrible place to ride).
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Permalink Reply by noelbike on
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I use O'Riordan. I find it is more direct between the city and the domestic terminal. It is fine but in rain you need to watch out for water and push out into the middle in places.
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Permalink Reply by kirby on -
I use Bourke less and less these days particularly in peak periods, it's just too crowded with peds etc so unless its very early or very late I'll use the share pathway on Anzac pde as its wider and then other back streets home.
If the mountain won't go round Mohammad, Mohammed will go round the mountain. The walkers and the rest are welcome to Bourke st.
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Permalink Reply by Cate on -
There is a feeling that this sort of behaviour comes from "Newbies" on the cycle paths. Not so. Coming from a suburb where there are a lot of cycles on long established paths I can concur that this attitude of "me first" has been around for a long time, and most likely involves experienced cyclists.
Among those who have been riding for a while is an impatience for the slower cyclist, which I believe has evolved into the commute criterium. I know the feeling of frustration when you get a bit of speed up then have to slow down for a slower rider. The Harbour Bridge is a short course for example. Has been for years. We've all talked about the accidents there.
I've posted here before about the only couple of crashes and most of the near misses I've had in 40 years on the bike has been on cycle paths. So I'm convinced it's not newbies, at least not entirely. Numbers of cyclists yes. But check your own behaviour first.
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Permalink Reply by eeney on -
In the years I've been commuting, at times I've been guilty of much bad behaviour, and here is what I've learnt:
- You're commuting, loosing 2 minutes to a slower rider isn't a big deal. Nowadays I'm more likely to ride at a slower pace with these cyclists and have a chat, or sit patiently and have a rest.
- Commuting isn't a crit, and pushing oneself to test fitness means that you're on the edge of your ability and less able to react/adjust to risky situations, and spending more time looking at your cycle computer than the world around you isn't advisable. These days I do not even have a computer on my commuting bike, and just accept that my commute takes 75 minutes.
- The more risky riding and arrogance that I display will just breed this kind of behaviour in others.
- It isn't worth getting aggressive, have a word with people by all means, but in my experience people listen much better when you're not shouting expletives.
- I have also found driving habits creeping in my riding, and riding habits creeping into my driving. ie. on the bike I'm giving way, keeping left, overtaking with care, etc and in the car I stopped trusting any other drivers and giving everyone lots of space.
I've also ridden with quite a few experience bike groups, and training groups, many of which are pedantic about behaviour, teaching me a lot about cycling behaviour and helping one another (hand signals, calling out hazards, etc).
So I'm perfect... far from it, but I do make an effort to identify when I've made a mistake, give myself a slap and try to learn from it. I'd also be happy for other cyclists to point out mistakes if I make them. Having hit the deck a few times whilst avoiding other reckless riders helps to raise your awareness!!
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Permalink Reply by Jasesly on -
I think most of us have a tendancy to try and push outrselves once on the bike, especially if we ride competitively. I find for me it often takes a near miss or incident for me to realise that i've forgotten the "don't be a tool" mantra I normally try to ride with when commuting. Fortunately nothing serious, but just enough to remind me that i need to always be considerate of others and ride in a relaxed state of mind, save the racing mentality for the races.
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Permalink Reply by Will Edwards on -
Here's the thing. There are just as many dickheads on bikes as there were seven years ago when I started commuting. The only difference is they're now congregating in the bike lanes. So the best thing to do is avoid them. Don't ride close to other riders. Don't let them suck your wheel (slow down and wave them on when they do). Avoid bike paths especially in the wet. Always ride defensively and above all set an example. Don't run reds. Signal. Give way to pedestrians. Thank cars for letting you in. Ensure you have plenty of lights and hi-vis gear on. And let the idiots learn the hard way. Having been hit by a car and survived, it teaches you that the road is no place to play silly games.
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Permalink Reply by Will Edwards on
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Thanks fella. It's early days so very pleased to hear you're enjoying it.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew K on
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Two great posts by eeney and Will Edwards above. Awesome that we share the roads with these riders. Agree entirely and I also try and do the same, and when I do happen to let something slip I assess what I did wrong and add it to the knowledge and behaviour bank to improve on. Being able to rewind and review my commute PlayStation style (on my always on camera) helps assess where I could have done something different to avoid a situation. I have changed a lot of things over the past 18 months - all for the better. Constantly learning and improving.
Nothing is going to change the situation more than leading by example. Be the solution - sounds corny but is true.
I have refined my commute quite well now and often see the same people - good and bad - commuting at similar times each day means that you often see the same other road users. Get plenty of love from the cars I regularly see - because I respect them too. A bit different on training rides with new and constantly changing challenges, but basic principles remain the same.
I reckon I drive a car much better now than I used too to after switching my annual land kilometers travelled balance much more in favour of the rotating pedals than the hinged ones - although its not as 'relaxing' as it used to be. Constantly scanning side streets, driveways and other danger points much more and giving more room everywhere, and always having exit strategies for problems that largely remain a figment of my increasingly over exuberant imagination - even more on the ball than I used to be. And that includes having worked my way up to a HC licence (with R endorsement), off road and heavy towing certificates, CAMS licence (now expired), 2 x defensive driving courses and a high ClearWay assessment.
The main problem that you have to tackle is patience. Commuting is not a training ride (although I get down on the drops around the airport for a bit of a sprint if clear). Commuting is a completely different mindset, its about sharing, not surging. Reading the Enlightened Cyclist was a great move for my mindset, and that like the car, doing things like running reds, shoaling, cutting people off, and generally being selfish seldom does nothing more than save a few seconds on my 45 min each way commute at the very best, but almost certainly makes for a much less enjoyable, and more angst ridden (pardon the pun) ride!
Peace out!
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