New Qld Bike Laws

[silentC]

It's the motorists mindset that has to change not the cyclist

You're exactly right Peter. Unfortunately I don't hold out any hope of that changing soon, which is why I don't really bother trying to convince anyone. And I think that laws to 'bludgeon' people into accepting it are just going to cause even more resentment. The kind of people who feel like this do not like being told that someone carrying out an activity that they disagree with is within their rights. "You're inconveniencing me, dammit. I'm an important motorist!" It's quite clear from the 'con' posts here that people think cyclists are mostly just out for an unnecessary leisurely ride and their own business is far more important.

In a perfect world we would have bicycle tracks everywhere and never the twain shall meet. But in a country like Australia, with vast open distances and not much budget for roads, I can't see that happening either.

So I will just do what I have always done. Dodge the hurled bottles, ignore the hurled insults, keep my eyes and ears open, and do what I enjoy doing even if others think I am insane.

[doug3030]

If cyclists ride slower then a car or ride two abreast on a single lane road that's their right and any person that cannot accept that fact is the motorist with the wrong mindset to be on the road.

Not so.

Since this thread is about Queensland road rules, the penalty in Queensland for unnecessarily obstructing a driver or pedestrian is 20 penalty units

While it is legal to ride two abreast, if it is not necessary to do so (and if two bikes will fit surely one will, so that's NEVER) if doing so unnecessarily obstructs traffic then they could and should be fined.

I really hate to tell you this rustynail but cycling is on the increase. There are more people riding bikes now than ever. Not only is it a sustainable and VALID mode of transport, it is increasingly gaining support through things like the draft cycling plan our council has just released. So you may as well get used to it. You'll be seeing more and more people on the road on bikes. Better start adding another 5 minutes to your travelling times.

Well maybe there are getting more and more of them. Much as I used to enjoy the health and fitness benefits when I was cycling (I could keep fit while commuting thus saving time even if it took twice as long to get to work) I would not go back to it now. No matter how fit and healthy you are you wont look good as someone's bonnet ornament. That is supposing that there really is a health benefit to inhaling all those exhaust fumes.

About 30 years ago the Indonesian government was facing a problem with an ever-increasing number of slow pedal-powered vehicles causing traffic congestion in the major cities. They directed the police to round them all up. They were loaded onto their Navy's Tank Landing Ships and taken out to sea and dumped. After a week there was a dramatic improvement in the traffic flow. I am not saying that our government should or would do that but it was what they did and it worked.

Cheers

Doug

EDIT: Incidentally I have noticed that our Navy has quite a large fleet of Heavy Lift Ships, supposedly for peacekeeping duties

[silentC]

you wont look good as someone's bonnet ornament

How would you know, you've never met me?

Refer to previous. No point me trying to convince you, so I don't bother. All I can say is that in my circle of cycling acquaintances, I know several who have come off at one point or another (if you don't you're not trying hard enough) including two who were hit by kangaroos, but no-one who has been hit by a car. My sister was hit by a car crossing the road at Manly, so crossing the road can be quite dangerous in my experience.

I did run into a bus once on Glebe Point Road but I don't think it noticed...

[doug3030]

No matter how fit and healthy YOU are YOU wont look good as someone's bonnet ornament.

How would you know, you've never met me?

Talk about splitting hairs, I used the word "YOU" in its context of "a person", not meaning YOU, silentC, specifically, and you know it.

Cheers

Doug

[silentC]

Jeez you motorists are an uptight bunch, it was meant to be a joke. Sheesh...

[Vernonv]

... as I believe it has run its course and should be closed.

There have been a lot of interesting comments, opinions and thoughts shared in this thread ... some I agree with, and some I don't, but I would never go so far as to ask for a thread to be closed because I didn't like what someone else was saying, or because I couldn't get someone else to see my point of view. Disappointing.

[Vernonv]

Here is an interesting excerpt from a South Aus transport PDF. It makes you wonder if that applies to cyclists.

It is illegal to drive so slowly that you unreasonably obstruct the path of the vehicle behind

[silentC]

I think it is targeted at drivers who deliberately slow down because someone is tailgating them or whatever. But yes maybe it could be interpreted that a cyclist who won't move over is in breach of it.

Otherwise, I think cyclists have a very good reason to be going slow (although 20kph is very slow).

[FenceFurniture]

... but I would never go so far as to ask for a thread to be closed because I didn't like what someone else was saying, or because I couldn't get someone else to see my point of view. Disappointing.

Maybe because it has become tedious.

[Vernonv]

Maybe because it has become tedious.

Easy fixed ... stop reading.

[Vernonv]

Otherwise, I think cyclists have a very good reason to be going slow (although 20kph is very slow).

It wouldn't be hard for there to be a big speed differential between cars and bikes in 100km/hr zones, especially on hills.

[silentC]

I can just about manage 50kph in short bursts on the flat with no headwind but cruising speed is in the 30's. The best riders I know can average around 38kph over shorter distances, but it's usually in the mid to upper 20's.

But as I've said my philosophy is to try and give cars room to pass as much as possible. I don't want them on my tail any longer than necessary. I don't subscribe to 'claim your lane' unless I'm approaching a roundabout or something.

I'm a low-impact cyclist and I want to keep it that way, impact free

(I used a smiley so people will know I'm being humorous).

[rustynail]

How would you know, you've never met me?

Refer to previous. No point me trying to convince you, so I don't bother. All I can say is that in my circle of cycling acquaintances, I know several who have come off at one point or another (if you don't you're not trying hard enough) including two who were hit by kangaroos, but no-one who has been hit by a car. My sister was hit by a car crossing the road at Manly, so crossing the road can be quite dangerous in my experience.

I did run into a bus once on Glebe Point Road but I don't think it noticed...

Glebe Point Rd, great place for cycling Couldn't see a bus Imagine if it had been the other way around, the bus ran up the back of you, makes more sense, you are harder to see. Your chance of an early demise would be increased markedly. And the bus driver has to carry that with him for the rest of his life.
Remember one thing: But by the grace of us goes you. It is not the other way round.
That there is an increase in cyclist numbers causes me little concern. Afterall, it is inevitable with ever increasing fuel costs. And I am sure there will be increases in motor bikes as well for the same reason.
And while the numbers increase so will all the statistics.
You see, I value human life. It is more important to me than any change of regulation and how they may or may not inconvenience. I understand that risk taking is an adrenalin rush and there is precious little else for the average Urbanite to get excited about. But when it comes to a stage when it becomes a Mexican standoff between those who are in favour of chancing their luck verses those who dont, it all becomes a little personal.
You dont want to get cleaned up on the road and I dont want to clean you up. I value human life. Yes, even yours Short term answer; Revisit the rules. Long term answer: Remove the unnecessary risk.

[rustynail]

Maybe because it has become tedious.

So is oiling benchtops, but you persevered.

[silentC]

Yes if you live down Glebe point road and you're riding a bike, it's a pretty standard way of getting where you are going. Entirely my fault, I was tailgating and he stopped suddenly. Never mind. Like I've said countless times, I don't care what you think about it.

Actually I'm not an urbanite. I live on the outskirts of a town of about 800 and I cycle on the open road mostly, or on the bike track such as it is. WHen I lived in SYdney, I did ride quite a bit though. It's not as scary as you think but I understand that not everyone's nerves are up to it, so it's OK.

Why do you think you are in a 'Mexican stand off'? That's an unusual way of looking at it.

But every comment you make about the danger on the road reinforces the real solution in my mind: ban motor vehicles. Like you say they are very dangerous. Shouldn't be allowed. Imagine how low the road toll would be if they didn't exist? "Two cyclists had a collision today. They shook hands and went their separate ways." That would make a great change from "Family of 5 die in collision with semi trailer" don't you think?