How can you drive into cyclists?

[hj2k_x]

you made n assertion:

I was responding to your assumption.



I'd rather you didn't assure me of anything.

I've got plenty of respect for motorists that respect me. However there seem to be many motorists out there that share a mind-set with some of the motorists on this thread with an almost irrational, violent hatred of cyclists using 'their' roads and perhaps holding them up for a few seconds.

It goes both ways. It seems pretty clear from the views expressed by all but one cyclist in this thread that you as a species feel threatened and persecuted by us mean motorists and intend to be as arrogant and discourteous as possible when out on the road. Expect the same in return.

 

[Gnome]

I cycle to University and I keep as close to the side as possible (as does 99% of the other students who cycle), but every now and then there are one of those spandex cyclists, for some reason they always cycle just far enough into the road to block cars, I don't get it, if all the students who cycle to Tuks are able to cycle so that cars can still pass them why can't these spandex wearing jocks do the same? It's on the same road BTW.

It's like the others have said, they have a ego problem, they need to feel important.

It's not fair to the rest of us that want to get to our destination to have to drive @ 20km/h so that a cyclist can take up 50% of a road for which they only need 5%. FFS they can just move to the side to allow the motorist to pass and then go back to taking up the entire road.

 

[Hosehead]

The most expensive piece of sculpture in my lounge is a bicycle. I dust it lovingly every week- ever since it came out of the box two years ago. I feel much safer already.

 

[Syph0n]

And do they have to wear the shiny lime budgie smugglers?

Especially when the sweat shows

 

[Claymore]

Actually, there is a minimum speed limit, and if the cyclists aren't travelling at that minimum speed they should keep to the side out of the traffic.

As far as I know, there's no minimum speed limit on any roads that cyclists are allowed on.

Cyclists have every right to be on the road and ride 2/3 abreast;

Rubbish. National Road Traffic Act of 1996, Section 311:
"311 (2) Persons riding pedal cycles on a public road shall ride in single file except in the course of overtaking another pedal cycle, and two or more persons riding pedal cycles shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time."

 

[reech]

Because most of us motorists don't drive to work in the morning or at other odd times of day or night for pleasure. Cyclists on the other hand, tend to be on the road at various times of the day in their aerodynamic spandex outfits
with sporting gear and chiefly cycle for recreational or health purposes.
....There is surely a group who drive to work or for other non entertaining purpose but most cycle on tarred roads instead of say cycling on the beach or on a race-track, or even better, cycling at home on a cycle-the way one cycles in a gym....
....Bicycle owners tend not to exercise patience themselves and on top of that,
they tend to mostly cycle for non-essential reasons. If you're cycling to get fit for a race or for your health, consider cycling in a ...
.....narcissist and cycle for your own benefit only to make things more difficult for the rest of us who need to be on the road at a particular time.

You make loads of generalisations about cyclists and carry on about spandex, time of day, 'cycling at home' and people daring to cycle for their health most of which has nothing to do with the argument. What you say amounts to "If you're not doing what I consider to be 'IMPORTANT STUFF' get off the road. "

All of your suggestions are ludicrous. How very arrogant of you.

 

[hj2k_x]

You make loads of generalisations about cyclists and carry on about spandex, time of day, 'cycling at home' and people daring to cycle for their health most of which has nothing to do with the argument. What you say amounts to "If you're not doing what I consider to be 'IMPORTANT STUFF' get off the road. "

All of your suggestions are ludicrous. How very arrogant of you.

I cannot believe you are still carrying on with this, digging your own grave even more.

 

[Pooky]

Cyclists are a nuisance. So many times I have nearly hit another car while trying to dodge a cyclist that's riding halfway into the road. Then they ride in front of your car and you have to sit behind them going really slowly.

 

[Sneeky]

How can you drive into cyclists?

Frikkin easily when the cockroaches of the road ride 2, 3 and even 4 abreast on a public road backing up traffic.

 

[porn$tar]

It's like the others have said, they have a ego problem, they need to feel important.

Cos they earn more than the rest of us.

 

[porn$tar]

All of your suggestions are ludicrous. How very arrogant of you.

As arrogant as some thinking it's "ok" to ride 3-abreast, despite the danger to themselves and others

 

[reech]

As arrogant as you thinking it's "ok" to ride 3-abreast, despite the danger to yourself and others

have you read the thread?

Holy cr*p - didn't realise the legislation was so backwards - guess I've been living in EU for too long.

@hoof,others - my bad - it's clearly not legitimate then.

still, I hope y'all run out of oil.

 

[porn$tar]

Yes I have. I don't re-read it to see who said what. Apologies.

 

[reech]

I cannot believe you are still carrying on with this, digging your own grave even more.

Digging - I haven't started. Plenty of motorists on this thread seem perfectly happy to try put me there though.

I simply fail to understand the irrational hostility that motorists have towards cyclists and find it really disturbing.

 

[PeterCH]

You make loads of generalisations about cyclists and carry on about spandex, time of day, 'cycling at home' and people daring to cycle for their health most of which has nothing to do with the argument. What you say amounts to "If you're not doing what I consider to be 'IMPORTANT STUFF' get off the road. "

All of your suggestions are ludicrous. How very arrogant of you.

Everything is a generalisation as everyone is unique. The world subsists on generalisations.

However, roads were made for cars. Asphalt covered roadways are built with lanes the width of a motor vehicle. They also have motor vehicle speed limits on them, unless an average cyclist can do 60km/h in a built up zone.
Most people on the roads during rush hour are off to work.
The faster roadways - highways do not even allow slower vehicles - this includes smaller motor bikes and tractors, let alone cyclists.

In China, less now, where everyone used to cycle to work, that was ok, but in SA most people use cars, motorbikes, taxis and busses to get to work. Very few people cycle to work, yet many people choose their own little exercise routine over others' need to get to and from work. As a cyclist looking for healthy training, why not rather cycle in the mountains or along the beach? There are also beautiful forests and parks you could cycle in.

I raise the issue of spandex because most cyclists I see only have that on them. I also see poorer people in non-cycling clothes on cheap bicycles
lugging stuff on their backs however those are not the people who always cause the problems. The people who cause the problems are guys in sporty,
spandex outfits with not a shred of any type of baggage on them. Maybe they keep a suit and a briefcase at work, but I'd venture to say most of these people are not on their way to work but are out there to purely bully those people who are.

You know as a pedestrian I could also haul my a-- in front of you bicycle jockeys and just get into your way when you cycle past. But I choose not to do that. I don't see joggers getting into the way of cars either.

I have had many idiot cyclists drive in the middle of the road on turns putting me and my passengers at risk as it's impossible to see what's behind the bend and I've had to
give them wide berths so much so that I end up on the opposite side of the road. The inconsiderate nature of many of these cyclists is like none other. Even taxi drivers
drive like idiots because they're after making the most money, but off duty taxis drive reasonably. Cyclists on the other hand have no reason or rhyme to their egoistical
driving habits, other than just pure egoistical inconsideration. You know, there are many alternative ways to train for your little race, but there is only one road
from where I live to where I work.

 

[hj2k_x]

Digging - I haven't started. Plenty of motorists on this thread seem perfectly happy to try put me there though.

I simply fail to understand the irrational hostility that motorists have towards cyclists and find it really disturbing.

Please. How many cyclists have commented by saying that they know they are arrogant and discourteous when on the roads, but that is the only way they can survive or whatever. Talk about your irrational hostility.

Learn how to be decent on the roads or stay the hell off them. That goes for any road user. What is so hard to understand for cyclists?

 

[reech]

However, roads were made for cars.

Primarily perhaps, but cyclists have every right to use them. Cycling should in fact be encouraged.

Asphalt covered roadways are built with lanes the width of a motor vehicle. They also have motor vehicle speed limits on them, unless an average cyclist can do 60km/h in a built up zone.

There is no lower speed limit on anything other than the freeway AFAIK.

Most people on the roads during rush hour are off to work.

and??

In China, less now, where everyone used to cycle to work, that was ok, but in SA most people use cars, motorbikes, taxis and busses to get to work. Very few people cycle to work, yet many people choose their own little exercise routine over others' need to get to and from work. As a cyclist looking for healthy training, why not rather cycle in the mountains or along the beach? There are also beautiful forests and parks you could cycle in.

I'll cycle where I please, thank you.

I raise the issue of spandex because most cyclists I see only have that on them. I also see poorer people in non-cycling clothes on cheap bicycles
lugging stuff on their backs however those are not the people who always cause the problems. The people who cause the problems are guys in sporty,
spandex outfits with not a shred of any type of baggage on them. Maybe they keep a suit and a briefcase at work, but I'd venture to say most of these people are not on their way to work but are out there to purely bully those people who are.

erm, ok. All cyclists are out to get you - or 'cause the problems'.

You know as a pedestrian I could also haul my a-- in front of you bicycle jockeys and just get into your way when you cycle past. But I choose not to do that. I don't see joggers getting into the way of cars either.

Pedestrians are obliged to stay on the sidewalk, similarly (read:legally) cyclists are obliged to stay on the road.

I have had many idiot cyclists drive in the middle of the road on turns putting me and my passengers at risk as it's impossible to see what's behind the bend and I've had to
give them wide berths so much so that I end up on the opposite side of the road. The inconsiderate nature of many of these cyclists is like none other. Even taxi drivers
drive like idiots because they're after making the most money, but off duty taxis drive reasonably. Cyclists on the other hand have no reason or rhyme to their egoistical
driving habits, other than just pure egoistical inconsideration. You know, there are many alternative ways to train for your little race, but there is only one road
from where I live to where I work.

I don't know where to begin here, but here goes:
I've had 2 bikes wrecked by idiot motorists (obviously not all motorists are idiots) pulling out in front of me- endangering my life. It's me on a bike vs idiot in 2 ton metal shell.

I ride for transport, I ride for pleasure; who are you to determine which of my journeys are 'valid'?

 

[reech]

Please. How many cyclists have commented by saying that they know they are arrogant and discourteous when on the roads, but that is the only way they can survive or whatever. Talk about your irrational hostility.

I call suggesting that motorists mow down cyclists pretty hostile - I don't think I've suggested anything quite so drastic be done to motorists.

Learn how to be decent on the roads or stay the hell off them. That goes for any road user. What is so hard to understand for cyclists?

I'm all for everyone being decent - but that does't mean that cyclists are obliged to 'get out of the way' for motorists when cycling legally.

 

[shadowfox]

The faster roadways - highways do not even allow slower vehicles - this includes smaller motor bikes and tractors, let alone cyclists.

eh?

Not "eh?"

He's quite right .... Motorbikes with an engine-capacity of 50cc or less are not allowed on National roads or highways - and that same law applies to unpowered vehicles, which, I believe, includes bicycles.

 

[Slootvreter]

Not "eh?"

He's quite right .... Motorbikes with an engine-capacity of 50cc or less are not allowed on National roads or highways - and that same law applies to unpowered vehicles, which, I believe, includes bicycles.

You may not even walk next to a national road.