Cycling in Sydney Australia

Sunsets (and apologetic cops)

This was the view from Iron Cove Bridge tonight as I rode home. Very pretty. And on the other side of the bridge the light was glinting off the buildings in the distance, burnishing them with gold. All rather spectacular. (I took a picture of the buildings too, but it came out less well).

Of course, the motorists driving by in their cars missed all of this; all they can see is a monotonous concrete barrier and the lines of cars in front of them stretching through interminable traffic lights. I love the way cycling actually connects you with the city; fast enough that you can get about to different places but slow enough that you can stop and stare. Seeing a city through a windscreen is an anonymous, souless experience.

In other news, the cops have been out on Pyrmont Bridge again. I got a another ticket for you-know-what from different cops (not the bike squad), and just like the last time they were very apologetic, and told me 'they had been told to do it'. When a policeman apologises to you because he has to give you a ticket, well, something is wrong somewhere. Then, the other night, I saw them again (the bike squad guys). I pulled up right next to them, but they ignored me. Perhaps they have finally given up!

Tags: cops, not-about-helmets, sorry-about-the-h-thing, sunset

2 members like this

Comment by Neil Alexander on September 12, 2012 at 9:40pm: Perhaps they have finally given up!

There is only one way to test that theory. Unfortunately.

BTW, what's the tally so far?

Comment by Colin on September 12, 2012 at 10:15pm: The bike cops were at Taylor Square today around lunchtime, picking on the non-helmet wearing folks riding along the Bourke St cycleway. I saw them in advance, and avoided them by going around the block. Once I got back on the cycleway I wanted to warn every oncoming non-helmet wearing cyclist, but couldn't think of a way that would work at a closing speed of approx 40km/h.

Comment by Dan on September 12, 2012 at 10:51pm: You have to feel a bit sorry for those cops. Bike squads are one of the most effective forms of urban policing, yet their unimaginative superiors send them out on duties like that. Waste of everyone's time - and the cops are aware of it as anyone.

Comment by Dan on September 13, 2012 at 11:09am: Copped a fine this morning - bottom of Anzac bridge ramp. Then more cops at Pyrmont Br (which I avoided).

So it seems the crack-down continues.

Comment by Neil Alexander on September 13, 2012 at 11:12am: Do you reckon the "crack-down" is actually reducing the numbers of cyclists endangering themselves by not wearing magic hats? Or is it just reducing the number of cyclists?

Comment by baa baa on September 13, 2012 at 12:19pm: We have a ""bottom"- down" going on locally.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cyclists-ignore-war...

I expect things will revert to normal on and around the 24th

Comment by Martyn P on September 18, 2012 at 2:06pm: Thanks for that link baa. Manly is great with its attitude of non-enforcement, shame about the publicity stunt.

Sunsets (and apologetic cops)

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