Bloody iPods

[bitingmidge]

Like a number of others on this board, I'm rather partial to taking a turn on my cycle most mornings.

I am fortunate to live in an area with many tens of kilometres of very pleasant bikeways, and similarly some fairly special walking paths so the bikepaths are relatively free of pedestrians. Nonetheless, they do exist.

Pedestrians think they own pathways, and I used to get abused reasonably regularly for "sneaking" up behind them, then I bought a loud horn, and got abused even more for scaring the crap out of them.

Eventually I did the terribly uncool thing, and got a bell. My pedestrians and I have survived very well for the last several years as I gaily tinkle my bell, barely disrupting their perambulation in a "cheerio" sort of way. Some of them even look forward to it.

Today, I nearly killed three of them.

I rang my bell, I RANG MY BELL, THEN I RANG MY BELL but they just kept going in their own little world.

Bloody iPods!~

What am I to do now?

P
:( :( :(

[Bodgy]

What am I to do now?

Bullbars on the push bike

[womble]

I always find it ironic that many people who complain about the 'hectic, noisy' modern pace of life, go back to nature to 'escape' it and promptly whack on a walkman/discman/ipod with loud music blasting their eardrums.

nature not cool enough I guess

[DavidG]

Cattle prod mounted on front of bike.:rolleyes:

[anthonyd]

I fell very sorry for the up and coming generation. With all these new personal entertainment devices (iPods - sony PSP - diskman - new cell phones with everything in them etc...) their social skills are not developing all that well. You see them on the public transport and walking the streets in their own world totally oblivious of everyone around them.

[Zed]

get a golf club and do a "happy gilmore" as you woosh past.

[Slavo]

how about a squirt to the back of the head with a water pistol

[Ratbag Oz]

I take it you are passing from behind them?
Simple solution, get a white T-shirt and print on the back clearly in black,
"If I surprised you, it is because you weren't paying attention!" or
"If you didn't hear me ring - your music is TOO LOUD!"
or similar........

Ratbag

[Grunt]

When you find a solution let me know. I nearly ran over someone with a walkman who decided to change lanes as I approached. I go pretty slow past peds when I'm on the bike path.

I prefer to ride on the dirt roads. Only have to deal with cars and you can hear 'em a mile off.

[DanP]

Anthony,

What's a cell phone? :rolleyes:

Dan

[bitingmidge]

What's a cell phone? :rolleyes:

It's what the watchouse boys let you use to make your one phone call.

P

:D :D :D

[silentC]

I put a bell on my bike last year (they tried to sell me this big silver thing with an Aussie flag on it - I said putting a bell on my bike is enough of a leap, believe me. There's no way I'm putting 'Big Ben' on my handle bars. So they sold me an inconspicuous little black one). The reason was because shouting didn't appear to have the desired affect.

My problem down here is not the iPods because no-one can afford to buy one. It's the deaf old dears out for their constitutional who can't hear the bell. Trouble is, they're the ones most likely to keel over from a heart attack as I go whizzing by.

Oh, and the 3 year olds on their trikes who sudden'y dart across in front of you. And then there are the horses. Still, I can't say my daily rides aren't exciting.

I've often felt like writing a letter to the paper about it. One ding means "I'm coming up behind you, please do not be startled or make any sudden course changes". Two dings means "I'm really close to you now and you're still meandering about with no fixed purpose in mind". Thirty or so dings in rapid succession means "Get out of the ####ing way, you geriatric old phart". Do you think it would help? No, neither do I.

[Termite]

Took SWMBO down to the Big Smoke a few weeks ago to see Macquarie St specialist about her smashed finger, and I felt left out because we seemed to be the only ones without something jammed in our ears.

Of course we know why the blondes have one.:D

[anthonyd]

Anthony,

What's a cell phone? :rolleyes:

Dan

Sorry - still stuck using phrases from south africa. I think you guys call it a mobile phone?? Cell phone is short for cellular phone so named because the phone network works in cells...

[Termite]

Sorry - still stuck using phrases from south africa. I think you guys call it a mobile phone?? Cell phone is short for cellular phone so named because the phone network works in cells...
Anthony, you were sucked in mate.:D Dan strikes again.:p

[Ashore]

Go back to a generator run by the back wheel running air horns, should be suitable for air heads. or change you bell sound for a mobil phone ring tone they all dive for their phones when one goes off no matter what the noise level, so they must be attuned to hear that noise above all others. :D



Rgds


Ashore

[Daddles]

You could go for the sound of a machine gun firing - that get's people's attention, and for added realism, you could use a real machine gun ... with real bullets :D

Richard

I'm a grumpy old bastard who hates all this new fangled technology crap and I'll sit here on my computer and use the internet to tell anyone who cares and a few who don't so there:rolleyes:

[anthonyd]

ok I am pretty confused - is this some joke I am just not getting??

[bitingmidge]

Nope.

iPod users get in my way and can't hear my bell. How long till the iPod causes an accident?

Hope that's clearer,

P
:D :D

[outback]

Don't worry Anthony, well not until you do get it, then it's too late to get it, cos you already got it, get it? got it ? good. :cool:

[silentC]

I think Anthony is referring to the 'cell phone' exchange, not the iPod problem.

Anthony, if this is so, I think Dan was having a tongue-in-cheek shot at you for using the Seppo term 'cell phone', instead of mobile. I'm sure he's well aware of what a cell phone is but it's part of the seppo-isation that is going on and I'm sure kids will be calling them cell phones soon if not already.

[bitingmidge]

Doh!!!

I'm spending too much time during the day thinking about work!!

P
:D :D :D

[LineLefty]

Now you know I'm not like Dino or StuartLees flogging my own products but really, we've just completed a major report for Austroads called Pedestrian-Cyclist Conflict Minimisation on Shared
Paths and Footpaths
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/projects/pedestrian_bicycle_interactions.aspx

The final report hasnt been uploaded to their website yet but here are some interesting snippets. Unfortunately thre isnt any data on causes of cycle/ped crashes so I cant give any figures. Would be interesting though.

The reality and perceptions of conflict on paths may not be the same, particularly as people often generalise from limited personal experiences – the single upsetting incident will remain in the mind much more clearly than the large number of uneventful occasions.

Cyclists may not slowdown when overtaking pedestrians, or pedestrians may not move over to let the cyclist pass. The conflict may be exacerbated by inattention by pedestrians using earphones and portable music players, hence
unable to hear the cyclist.

Concern was consistently expressed about the lack of use of warning devices by cyclists to alert pedestrians of their approach. At the same time, it was recognised that pedestrians’ responses to a warning may themselves be unpredictable, for a range of reasons, including that the pedestrian may not hear the warning (eg due to hearing impairment or earphones), leading to uncertainty and conflict. This may be best addressed by advice that cyclists exercise caution (including slowing down) when approaching pedestrians, particularly from behind, especially if there is no indication that the pedestrian is aware of their presence. It was also stated that warning devices such as bells are sometimes used as a form of aggression, with the cyclist assuming right of way once the warning had been given.

I didnt do this report so I'm not an expert but it seems that the focus is on what can be done to the physical infrastructure to prevent c onflict between cyclists and peds. There really isnt much you can do about human behaviour. Codes of conduct, education campagins, they realyl only reach those who are courteous anyway.

Unfortunately its up to the cyclist. But we need to provide cyclists with the infrastructure to allow them to handle situations, eg, wide paths, with a good dirt shoulder to allow them to scoot around the ipodded power walkers.

Some of the solutions you cna buy a quite interesting. Theres this device that you allows you to create a car-like vibration in the pavement which alerts peds in front of you. Air horns work too!

[LineLefty]

Another good idea is signs along the path saying something like:

"Consider that you cant hear the cyclists coming if you've got earphones and stay on your side of the path"

[silentC]

This may be best addressed by advice that cyclists exercise caution (including slowing down) when approaching pedestrians


Unfortunately its up to the cyclist

See, this is the type of unhelpful advice we get from the government all the time. They're all on about 'shared pathways' but when it comes to apportioning of responsibility, there is no sharing going on at all. Why not tell peds that if they are going to use the pathway they need to :

1. Be aware that cyclists use it too
2. Keep left so that they can be overtaken
3. Keep their kids under control
4. Not get the sh!ts when they have to move over to let you pass

I don't know about the majority of paths, but ours has a nice white line up the middle, just like they do on the road. If they kept to the left of it, there'd never be a problem.

It's like the bike vs. car conflict. I can guarantee that the majority of the problem is caused by the ignorance of car drivers but it's always up to the bike riders to overcome it.

[LineLefty]

No seriously Darren (first names now), what is it that you suggest governments should do?

How do you make you average power walker aware of these things. Education campaigns? Signage? TV adds, brochures? The problem with these measures is that the only people who take notice of them are those that do the right thing anyway.

If you've got a better idea, I'd love to hear it. (Really, not sarcastically)

[Daddles]

I like my machine gun suggestion even more now

Richard

[Sturdee]

If you've got a better idea, I'd love to hear it. (Really, not sarcastically)

Adam,

IMO Education campaigns, Signage, TV adds and brochures is the typical way our governments tackles any problem. They are willing to spend millions to advertise what they claim to have done but spend peanuts to actually fix the problems.

The trouble is they don't work and no one believes any of the advertising by the government any more. We immediately assume it is all lies based on past experience.

The only way to fix this particular problem is to separate the pedestrians from the cyclists like they do in other countries. Build separate paths for each and the problem is solved. Must be cheaper than all the government advertising.:D


Peter.

[bitingmidge]

No seriously Darren (first names now), what is it that you suggest governments should do?
Well, I reckon Darren had a point about cyclists not having a fair go anywhere.

No one has that problem in China, bikes are the kings, and pedestrians stay out of their way! If the bikeways had "pedestrians give way to bikes" signs instead of "cyclists give way to pedestrians" , that'd be a good start!

I've never been abused for my polite bell ringing (until today's iPod episode), but reckon that I should be able to travel at a safe (say 20k) speed without having to get off to go past a walker. I also walk from time to time, and hate cyclists who just sneak up without warning.

The traffic act requires bikes to be fitted with bells, yet they are all sold without them, so why not start there?

I agree with the quotes from the report by the way, except for the requirement to "slow down" which is a meaningless term. My own perception is that "speed" holds more danger for the cyclist than the pedestrian, but the perception of danger is greater for the latter, hence cyclists who don't have a man with a red flag in front of them are all bad!!!

cheers,

P (bells for all bikes)

:D :D :D

[Ratbag Oz]

If the bikeways had "pedestrians give way to bikes" signs instead of "cyclists give way to pedestrians" , that'd be a good start!
Another good idea is signs along the path saying something like:

"Consider that you cant hear the cyclists coming if you've got earphones and stay on your side of the path"

How about a sign that's gonna teach them they better wake up? Like...
"Keep left unless being run over"

<_<
Ratbag

[Ashore]

This thread is becoming a little one sided for the pedal power people
How many of you could honestly say that you obey the road rules when your on the road
How many have
Not come to a complete stop at a stop sign
Never gone through a red light
Never ridden on a footpath when not in the company of a child under the age of 12
Never gone through a pedestrain crossing when someone was in it ( stoped and waited till they had crossed completely not just avoided them)
Never used a " cell" phone while riding
Never changed lanes without indicating
Never travelled in the wrong direction on a road
Never ridden without a helmet( though I think very few would ride without one these days
to name a but a few :D

So do your feelings towards pedestrains on walk/cycle ways mirror the feelings of motorists to you on road ways :rolleyes:



Just A thought to even the debate;)




The Trouble with life is there's no background Music




Ashore

[Grunt]

The traffic act requires bikes to be fitted with bells, yet they are all sold without them, so why not start there?


Not in Victoria. I've been looking at new bikes and they all have them.

[bitingmidge]

Even up the debate indeed! So how do the following impact on car drivers in any way at all? Well actually they don't, but car drivers get all high and mighty IN CASE a cyclist is breaking the law!

How many of you could honestly say that you obey the road rules when your on the road
How many have
Not come to a complete stop at a stop sign
Never gone through a red light
Never ridden on a footpath when not in the company of a child under the age of 12
Never gone through a pedestrain crossing when someone was in it ( stoped and waited till they had crossed completely not just avoided them)
Never used a " cell" phone while riding
Never changed lanes without indicating
Never travelled in the wrong direction on a road
Never ridden without a helmet( though I think very few would ride without one these days
to name a but a few :D

So do your feelings towards pedestrains on walk/cycle ways mirror the feelings of motorists to you on road ways :rolleyes:
I have no problems with pedestrians, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR EARS FULL OF MUSIC SO THEY CAN' T HEAR MY BELL!!

BTW, cycling on a footpath is legal (and often sensible) in Qld.

Cheers,

P (who drives more k's a day than he cycles, and often walks long distances without the aid of an iPod)

:D :D :D

[Ratbag Oz]

Just A thought to even the debate;)

I actually do not ride at all, but my annoyance is these people who are oblivious to the rest of the world, be they walkers, cyclists, drivers, or anyone....
It drives me :mad: !

Ratbag

[LineLefty]

Bloody militant cyclists!

The bike isnt king in China, the car is. Thats why we're gettign so much work over there. The'yve nowwhere to park them :). The pushy is a symbol of the poor.

I agree that these advertising campagins dont work! I said it 3 bloody times.

There simply isnt enough money to build separate paths everywhere. Thats not being a greedy government, its a fact of life. (We want more hospital beds, schools, roads and police....and more tax cuts!!)


The traffic act requires bikes to be fitted with bells, yet they are all sold without them, so why not start there? Thats not a bad point, seems a no brainer.

I dont think cyclists can escape responsibility here. Its not fair but they have the vision of the pedestrian so they need to take caution. I commute myself by bike sometimes and I'm sympathetic cyclist casuse, thats why I work in this area!

Now, we've also done a report on bikes in bus lanes and the prioritisation of bicycle infrastructure funding, shall we discuss those?

[bitingmidge]

Not in Victoria. I've been looking at new bikes and they all have them.
Even the super triathlon models? I've only seen them on the K-Mart variety!

Maybe we need uniform road laws, and some Act of Parliament to stop your shops dumping their bell-less $10,000 bikes up here!

Rally cars get scrutineered to ensure road worthiness, why don't racing bikes?

Wouldn't it be the most fantastic sound to hear the boys on the Tour ringing their bells on the final sprint down the Champs?

Cheers,

P:D

[LineLefty]

My wife bought a $200 K mart bike, and was bragging when we got to the shops. Hers sat there nicely perched on a stand while I searched in vain for somewhere to lean my $1000 mountain bike.

[Ratbag Oz]

Actually, here's yet another point of veiw.....
We obviously don't have bike paths out here, we average about 100km between towns. But we do have a number of narrow windy roads where cyclists like to train, but the council here has been intelligent about this, and left a few feet off the side of the road, identical quality to the rest of the road, just marked with a white line, and yet how often do we see these cyclists on the left of this line? Grrrrrr, it's like they have mental block, follow the line.......... follow the line...... Never mind looking up to see that there is a car coming in front, and listening to the one coming from behind! and the cars have no-where to go as there are cliffs, and drop-offs, the only spare space is the lane left for the bicycles, which is generally empty :(
On the rare occasion, it is even worse than this when a cyclist (usually a tourist) seemingly trying to prove a point, rides in the centre of the lane, this actually isn't legal, as the law says as close as practical to the left, and sometimes, I have had to follow at bicycle pace, while one of these arrogant @*&#*%'s leads me down the middle of the road around blind turns.
Now I consider myself a safe, and polite driver, and no, I have never even honked, though they annoy me terribly, but I can hardly beleive these people do not realise the danger they are causing, if nothing else, then to themselves!

Arrogance it would seem, is like russian roulette......

[ozwinner]

Yeah know your problem about bike riders, I followed this one for miles.



Al :D

[Grunt]

bell-less $10,000 bikes up here!
I don't look at $10,000 bikes. :eek: I can tell you that saving 1kg of weight isn't going to make me go faster.

I've actually just bought Ms. Grunt a $750 Giant CRX 3 and me a bike for $750 which I can't remember the name but it has Shimano Tiagra running gear. Both are flat bar road bikes. Pick'em up on Wednesday. :D

Both bikes have bells. I want to get streamers on the handle bar ends and a basket on the front. Do you think pink suits my complexion?

[Dan]

Now, we've also done a report on bikes in bus lanes and the prioritisation of bicycle infrastructure funding, shall we discuss those?

OK, you start, I'll be out back slashing my wrists with a broken light bulb.:D

[Gingermick]

4. Not get the sh!ts when they have to move over to let you pass.

Have you been the victim of cycle path rage? I don't have an iPod or any other device and walk with my dog a few mornings a week. It is a bit disconcerting somtimes when a bike flies past at 30 or more kph. I would appreciate it very much if people rang bells before they passed me.
(I think most of them are people on the way to work and have to ride because they lost their licence for drink driving or speeding. Everyone drives so bloody fast around here and consequently get stressed out and off because everyone else is driving the same way and they are all cutting each other off and running up each others ####. :( )

And I want o hear about busway prioritisation.

[zathras]

Never mind looking up to see that there is a car coming in front, and listening to the one coming from behind! and the cars have no-where to go as there are cliffs, and drop-offs, the only spare space is the lane left for the bicycles, which is generally empty :(
On the rare occasion, it is even worse than this when a cyclist (usually a tourist) seemingly trying to prove a point, rides in the centre of the lane, this actually isn't legal, as the law says as close as practical to the left, and sometimes, I have had to follow at bicycle pace, while one of these arrogant @*&#*%'s leads me down the middle of the road around blind turns.


As a commuting cyclist I find it very dangerous, inconsiderate and intimidating of motorists that choose to squeeze past you whilst in a roundabout, or even worse whilst entering one.
This is not far removed from your "blind corner" situation.
If the corner is truly blind, then you should sit behind the cyclist until it is safe to overtake. I'd rather the motorist lose 5 seconds out of their pathetic life than choose to use their car as weapon and squeeze past when the potential of an unseen on-coming car exists in a blind corner.
What happens when this occurs? The motorist instinctively swerves to the left to make space and knocks the cyclist for six over the cliff / drop off!

It is ALWAYS far safer for the cyclist to take the lane in such situations.

[bitingmidge]

I want to get streamers on the handle bar ends and a basket on the front. Do you think pink suits my complexion?

I've got a spare set of these wonderful orange beady things that clip onto the spokes and run up and down them making a clattering sound as you ride if you like!

On another note, this evening I almost didn't see a complete 100kg idiot on a small BMX bike, no lights, no helmet, riding on the lefthand lane marker on a motorway... but get this:

He had a iPod plugged in!!!

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhh!!!!

P

:eek: :eek:

[boban]

I wouldn't have thought it was such a new phenomenon. Walkmans, Discmans, MD players have been around for a long time.

The Ipods must have triggered a resurgence I guess.

[AlexS]

Bell be beggared! The best thing I got from the army was a parade ground voice!

Seriously, when I cycled to work on the Pacific Hwy and Pennant Hills Rd. I didn't have too much trouble. I figured it was easier for me to watch out for generally predictable vehicles than to ride on the footpath and watch out for unpredictable pedestrians. And yes, I occupied the left hand lane. There's not enough room for a car to squeeze past me safely if I ride in the gutter, and if you have to go part way into the other lane, you may as well go all the way. And don't come that crap about how cars should have right of way. You're one person driving, I'm one person riding. As I see it, we each have the same rights, and cars, being inanimate objects, don't have any. Besides, if there weren't so many cars on the road, I could ride much faster.

The real problem was early on Sunday mornings in Lane Cove National Park, when I rode a tandem. Now this is a great time and place for both pedestrians and cyclists, as there are no cars on the road before the gates open. The roads are wide enough for both, provided the pedestrians keep to the side, and cyclists keep to the left. It would be better if the pedestrians kept to the right, so bikes don't sneak up on them, but as long as they're on the side, it doesn't matter - just ring the bell or call out 'passing'.
But their were always the idiots who walked in a group, spread out across the road. I gave up warning them, because they were too unpredictable. They would go left, right or stand and stare like a rabbit in the headlights. Much safer for all concerned to go past them without warning.

[Bodgy]

Let me venture a dissenting opinion.

Whilst I do ride a bike (not on road tho) I think that the cyclists who insist on riding on major highways in peak hours, are a bunch of selfish bastards. You often see one lone cyclist holding up maybe 40 cars. The roads in Sydney are abominable, ie the Pacific Highway, often two lanes either side. I would like someone to explain how come a single cyclist, who pays no rego, CTP, insurance, Pink slip, petrol taxes nor full tolls has the right to impede full paying drivers who often have two plus people in the car?

Furthermore, apart from the bastardry, what pleasure do they derive from breathing petrol and diesel fumes, taking their life in their hands and pyssing off dozens of commuters?

Beats me! I would venture that they either have something to prove (relative to the dimensions of their genitalia) or it's a power thing.

[AlexS]

1. I pay rego, insurance, pink slip etc. even when riding my bike, but, since wear & tear on the roads is proportional to the 5th power of the mass of the vehicle, I'm subsidising motorists when I ride my bike.
2. It's not me who's holding up the traffic, it's all the other car drivers. If they weren't there, I'd be able to get to work faster too. Have a look round, most cars only have the driver, some have 1 passenger, very few have more.
3. It's not a power thing or having anything to prove. It's just a matter of not using money or resources that you don't have to. If you don't see it that way, then fine, drive your car, but try not to block the lane when I'm trying to get past.

[Schtoo]

Hmmm...

On the bike paths, maybe a sign where people can get on/off the path stating what the modus operandi of the path is. Slow movers stay left, etc, etc.

Works fine for the most part over here. Footpaths have a line of yellow rubberized tiles running down the middle where there isn't much room to move, walkers on the left, right is open for bikes. Sensible really, because practically everyone has a bike. No rich/poor thing, just that for short trips, it's easier to park a bike than a car.

One thing I did do to my own bike for those that can't pull their head of of their back end is fit bigger brakes.

Nice big disc brakes, front and rear. :D

How much is my bike worth, I gave up counting a long time ago. What I do know is that only the frame and the seat are the same as when I got the thing. And half of the changes were after parts wore out.

Yeah, done a few k's on the treadly. Gave up counting there too. ;)

Now, you want to deal with a brace of school kids covering the footpath, half the road and weaving all over the place, listening to their music and sending messages on their phones while holding an umbrella to keep the rain off them.

You might learn how much of a pain in the back end a clown on a bike can be. Even when on another bike.

Nice thing is you can say practically anything you like to them, they aren't going to work out what you called them. :confused::eek::D

[Bodgy]

1. I pay rego, insurance, pink slip etc. even when riding my bike, but, since wear & tear on the roads is proportional to the 5th power of the mass of the vehicle, I'm subsidising motorists when I ride my bike.
2. It's not me who's holding up the traffic, it's all the other car drivers. If they weren't there, I'd be able to get to work faster too. Have a look round, most cars only have the driver, some have 1 passenger, very few have more.
3. It's not a power thing or having anything to prove. It's just a matter of not using money or resources that you don't have to. If you don't see it that way, then fine, drive your car, but try not to block the lane when I'm trying to get past.

Alex - wasn't meant to be personal, I wrote it before your post was up.

Regardless, I can't see any logic in your response, in particular the assertion that the cars have only the single driver. On my way to work, the inside lane is predominately a transit lane, ipso facto, there are no single occupants trying to get past the cyclist.

I am also only talking about peak periods.

Does this mean goodbye to a passing grade?

[anthonyd]

Hey technology has given us cures for diseases that would normally have wiped out half the population - net result : a population boom!

iPods are just mother natures way of using our own technology to even the odds!

[Sturdee]

There simply isnt enough money to build separate paths everywhere. Thats not being a greedy government, its a fact of life. (We want more hospital beds, schools, roads and police....and more tax cuts!!)


Now, we've also done a report on bikes in bus lanes and the prioritisation of bicycle infrastructure funding, shall we discuss those?

Sorry Adam, but I disagree. We do have greedy governments whose sole purpose seems to be to get as much money from the taxpayers and spent it on advertising campaigns, mainly to get themselves re-elected.

For example the federal government currently is spend ing $ 45,000,000 to tell us how good the new industrial relation s law is for us. There is one advertising campaign after each other wasting our money but there is not enough to do the real things that are needed.

The Victorian government is fantastic in thinking up all kinds of new taxes eg their latest in charging inner city areas $ 800 per year for renting out a permanent car parking space. Or the exorbitant increase in land taxes that is forcing business to the wall. Then the increases in water charges and we have commercials of Bracks flying in a chopper over dams telling us how good he is.

In any case the roads and footpaths in suburban areas are paid for by the adjoining owners as well as the footpath and kerbing on main roads and not the government.

So to get bike paths in all new subdivisions it would be paid by the adjoining owners similar to them paying for the footpaths. The government would only have to pay the connecting bits in parks etc and now on existing roads where it could utilise part of the roadway like buslanes.

Peter.

[Ratbag Oz]

As a commuting cyclist I find it very dangerous, inconsiderate and intimidating of motorists that choose to squeeze past you whilst in a roundabout, or even worse whilst entering one.
This is not far removed from your "blind corner" situation.
If the corner is truly blind, then you should sit behind the cyclist until it is safe to overtake. I'd rather the motorist lose 5 seconds out of their pathetic life than choose to use their car as weapon and squeeze past when the potential of an unseen on-coming car exists in a blind corner.
In this particular situation, there is only a problem when the cyclist is not using their assigned lane (there is one, and they often don't)
and also the roads are so twisty and steep that even when doing 20 - 40 km an hour (it is virtually impossible to do any more than that if you did want to) a cyclist who is hardly moving on the hill can appear suddenly, as can oncoming traffic.
As I said, though this does annoy me (mostly because I am worried for the saftey of the cyclists :( ) I have never been in an extreme enough situation to be made truly angry, or have a "close call"
I just wish people would take a bit of responsibilty for their own safety, it seems a common problem these days that people rely on the not-so-common courtesy of others, and get annoyed when it isn't there :(

Which brings us back onto the original topic.........

[Harry72]

Mate like Pauly from Fat Pizza would say... "Moit u needz some big ass subwooferz on them wheelz, seriously crankin aye" at least then they'd feel you coming!

[ozwinner]

Plenty Rd runs from Whittlesea to South Morang 10 miles or so, its as flat as a shyte carters hat.

It has a bike lane on both sides that would be 6' wide.
Traffic travels at 100 kms.
So why do the bike riders always ride on the line??

Al :confused:

[bitingmidge]

So why do the bike riders always ride

Dunno about there, but on our main roads, the actual smooooooth as a baby's bum hot mix surface stops exactly on the white line, and the verge has some other rough as bags undercoat mix.

It's MILES easier to ride on the smooth stuff, even though it doesn't look any different from the drivers seat of a big truck!

cheers,

P
:D

[ozwinner]

I thought as much, but why risk life and limb, just for a smooth ride??
Actually the bike track is made of the same stuff as the road.

Al :)

[silentC]

The pathway here was built by the local Rotary club with money that they raised by selling raffle tickets. I'd fall off my chair if any level of government even contributed to it, let alone doing something about it. They go off and do all these studies (which I'm glad to see keeps someone in a job) but what do they ever actually DO about it? If they divided that 45 mill they spent on propaganda amongst all the Rotary clubs in Australia, then you might actually see something get done.

Now, regarding the white line: I always ride on the line because it enables you to see and dodge all the crap that has fallen off and out of piece of ##### cars and onto the road. It also makes it easy to see the potholes. If you ride on the shoulder, you're riding through all the broken glass, twisted metal and other crap. Any motorist who is unable to overtake me without swerving out into the oncoming lane shouldn't be in charge of a motor vehicle to begin with :p

Anyway, I'm resigned to the fact that it is our problem by default. We just have to live with it. I dread the holiday season when our population increases by a factor of 10. The locals are usually smart enough to keep left. It's the city people who don't seem to have a clue and they're the most indignant because they're on holiday and we're supposed to just take their crap because apparently we need them :mad:

[craigb]

And here I am currently shopping for a bike.

Maybe I should rethink my decision? It sounds like it's not safe at all :(

[Clinton1]

Get a motorbike instead - much safer :D
Same idiots to watch out for, but when you get totalled at least it is at a speed to make it worth it.

[AlexS]

Does this mean goodbye to a passing grade?
Not at all.

There are no grades, and this is about traffic, not woodwork.
What's on the board stays on the board, what's in class stays in class.