Patrick Turner wrote:
>
> cfsmtb wrote:
>> I'm helping to compile re****ts + images of the Australian Rides of
>> Silence. Please free free to PM (if on cycling forums) or email
>> infoATwoj.com.au
>>
>> In all, there was eleven rides across Australia in Adelaide, Bendigo,
>> Bowral, Canberra, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, South West
>> Rocks, Sydney and Townsville.
>>
>> Additional re****ts, blogs, images, media coverage (including pdf scans)
>> and feedback are most welcome.
>>
>> Many thanks to all for creating such an inspirational national event.
>> ;)
>>
>> --
>> cfsmtb
>
> Good to see that 230 riders here gave the public a message.
>
> I forgot it was on, and did a ride of 100km from Watson to Mt Stromlo,
> Point Hut via the suburbs, then Gordon, Theodore, Belconnen.
>
> But in the last 3km before returning home a guy rides past me at Yowani
> golf course,
> and at the Barton Hwy he runs the red light, and nearly gets hit by a
> ute with a trailer making a turn left from the Hwy
> into Northbourne Ave because the driver thought he had a clear run,
> because he saw the cars all stopped
> at the lights where I was.
>
> The lights went green, I take off, and catch up to this dude, and
> attempt to pass him and
> after a "g'day", he doesn't reply, and I notice he's wired for sound
> from a walkman.
> He sure didn't like an old bastard like me passing, and takes off with
> haste, and I cruise in the draft until
> I stopped to turn for home about 300metres further.
>
> Not only are some cyclists silly and blind at traffic lights, they are
> not friendly.
> And like idiots, some ride with music to drown out the noise, which
> deprives them
> of any sound of approaching vehicles which can be deadly.
>
> I don't recall breaking too many road rules myself yesterday.
> I slowed down for the dog walkers and toddlers and everyone else on the
> "cycle paths".
> There is a lot of fear amoung the non cyclists who use the "cycle paths"
> for everything except cycling.
> However, most of them realise that if they KEEP LEFT at all times,
> and avoid sudden movement to the right, the inevitable cyclists who do
> ride past
> without a bell ring won't crash into them.
> But I never insist mums with prams move quickly, and I often have to
> ride off in the rough around them. The mothers think their kids are more
> im****tant than a damned cyclist.
> Cyclists don't like that, but after doing it countless times, I've never
> copped a puncture
> or damaged anything.
>
> Recently, an older woman here went walking in Westbourne Woods along the
> cycle path, a very pretty walk
> around Lake BG and well forested. She was hit by a cyclist as some
> speed.
> He'd yelled "BIKE!" when he was only 10 metres behind her and this woman
> steps right instead of left
> and the cyclist crashes right into her. Older ladies are fragile
> creatures, and she's taken
> a long time to recover so far.
>
> The young male cyclist roared abuse at her when the accident occured,
> fini****ng off
> with "I ain't gonna fit a ****ing bell to a $7,000 bike, OK!!!" after
> she'd
> complained she didn't hear a bell.
>
> Well, I have a couple of road bikes worth only $500 each maybe;
> one has a beautiful Reynolds 753R frame, and since I can ride past a
> heck of a lot
> of younger riders with $7,000 bikes, maybe I am right in thinking
> my bike is damned priceless.
>
> And I have a bell, and I use it all the time.
>
> For stupid agressive young males to expect old ladies et all to have
> eyes in the back
> of their heads or have fast and correct reaction times is just
> unforgivable and idiotic.
>
> There is a strong case for all cyclists to carry a license number plate
> of the same size as an auto number plate, firmly fixed to the top tube
> of the frame.
>
> This would mean a cyclist must act with respect and care as he could be
> identified.
> ( maybe it'd prevent so many bike thefts as well ).
>
> The young fellow who would insist he's in the right might have got his
> come-uppance
> if a male friend of the lady had extended a knuckle sandwich to him,
> as well as trampling his carbon fibres into splinters.
>
> One can get oneself into trouble thinking you are always right,
> and that you have rights above those of others towards whom you think
> you have no duty of care.
>
> And despite the numerous slowing downs during my ride, I averaged 25kph
> for my 100k ride
> on a mix of 50% cycle paths and roads.
>
> So there is always time to use the brakes.
>
>
> Patrick Turner.
I had two collisions with pedestrians on one ride a week ago. In each
case I was completely stationary, and the pedestrian walked head on into
my bike. There's no helping some people.
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