What's the point of adding rear vision mirrors? The people who have them now don't use them.
Just yesterday I was overtaking a car which decided to pull out to pass the truck in front of it just as I was going by both. Fortunately my normal overtaking procedure means I was only beside the car very briefly.
Besides, are you not aware there is a world shortage of sand? That for those of you who need something new to worry about...
There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one. - Joey Dunlop
Excellent example of the OP's point about victim blaming, right there.
I used to cycle a shit-load, but now hardly ever due to knee injury. I mostly rode on my own, stopping at reds, keeping left, aware of what was around me and doing my utmost to co-operate with the traffic. I wore hi-viz nearly always but would not agree to it being mandated.
For me, mirrors would have been pointless, IMO, as the hearing and vision on a bike are outstanding. (Note: I'd agree with fines for any cyclist listening to music whilst riding.) Also most drivers treat their mirrors as mere ornaments, so why wouldn't they do the same when cycling? After all, most cyclists also drive.
Anyway, my totally unscientific estimate based on many years of experience in and around Auckland was that roughly:
25% of drivers were pretty good around cyclists.
74% were indifferent about cyclist safety but usually manageable.
1% wanted you off the road and were happy to damage you to make their point.
I was even assaulted (punched in the back from behind by a front seat passenger) whilst setting off from a red light I had stopped at. How brave they were to wait until the lights changed so they could drive off. Maybe that's why cyclists don't stop? Cyclists are less vulnerable and more stable with a bit of momentum.
Meanwhile:
30% of cyclists are pretty decent
60% are generally iffy
10% are total muppets that amaze me by getting home in one piece more often than not.
I'd say it's the 70% that give the rest a bad name.![]()
Last edited by chasio; 30th January 2014 at 10:16. Reason: grammar
Just this morning I saw 2 cyclists on a narrow rural road, stopped side by side chatting and having a drink of water... Just around a blind 65k corner. 30 seconds later I had to drive me van right on the edge of the road to allow a truck to get past in the opposite direction. I'll bet my left nut that truck had to cross the center line to overtake the Muppets, who I hope had gone back to riding single file.
Sad fact is there's a cycle lane by the new bypass that the cyclist could have used and avoided the narrow road all together.
So yes I would advocate banning cyclists on rural roads that are too narrow for 2 trucks to pass let alone 2 cars trying to stay in their lane and overtake a cyclist. It's no fun facing a head on collision as some Muppet in a car is overtaking a Muppet on a bike in my lane with no room.
An excellent example of victim blaming?? (For asking why bikes are not required to have mirrors like every other road going vehical is legally requried to!...for obvious reasons!)
If you can't use your mirrors...your a road hazzard & shouldnt have a license!...its that fucking simple!(As it IS a rather large part of the license sitting process...correct and frequent use of your mirrors...once again, for obvious fucking reasons!)
...And why is it that most incidents with cyclist are from being hit from behind?...just victims??...or a failure to see the threat behind them (such as veering out to go around a car...but failing to see the truck coming behind them!...how many have died doing THAT!!)
Im certainly not blaming cyclists for these horrific deaths etc, and I totally agree they have every right to use, and be safe while traveling on NZ roads...but times have changed...and the roads have become much more congested, and much more dangerous...and its about time cyclists realised this and also made an effort to reduce the horrific fatalitys & accidents on our roads involving cyclists.
As for "Maybe that's why cyclists don't stop? Cyclists are less vulnerable and more stable with a bit of momentum"...cool, is that arguement ok for motorcycles as well?? (same "benefits")...or would that just be plain fucking stupidity to start running red lights...cos were less vunerable that way!
And as for being assaulted...thats just bullshit!(theres some fucking pricks out there!..hope ya caught em), but I do certainly hope you got there number plate!...as all road going vehicals have this form of identification to allow for prosecution for such acts...oh...unlike cyclists! (but they never run red lights etc aye...oh...apparently they do, go figure?)
...victim blaming indeed!(just pointing out that if we ALL took steps to improve cyclists safety...we may just see less deaths on our roads...thats the goal aint it??)
Stay safe Cassie - no disrespect to you or cyclists intended
When Life thows me a curve
...I lean into it!
Slightly off topic I'll admit, but I recall a suggestion for a bumper sticker aimed at cyclists. Was in Wheels magazine recently.
"Didn't your momma tell you? (Insert pic of push bike here) Don't play on the road with your toys!"
No I don't hate cyclists, just a shame some of the weekend warriors have such an obnoxious approach to self preservation, cycling in places that simply defy sanity...
Compulsory hi-viz sure as heck isn't the solution IMHO.
House would have been OK in high-viz. The fact it wasn't means it must have been at fault...
I understand why you think mirrors should be compulsory. As someone who has covered many, many thousands of kms on a push bike, I don't believe it would help much. Honestly, the dipsticks that have no idea what is going on behind them on a bike wouldn't have any more idea if they had mirrors. They simply would not use them.
As for victim blaming, there is a widely held belief that women who dress provocatively are more likely to be sexually assaulted. When dressed as such and it happens, some people say "they were asking for it". Yet the action (sexual assault) was not their doing. That is victim blaming.
There is a requirement to be able to stop in the clear distance in front of you (laned road, or half that if unlaned). If someone runs up the back of a cyclist who has taken a bad road position, the vehicle coming from behind is at fault.
You believe that cyclists would be less likely to be hit from behind if they had mirrors. If they get hit from behind without mirrors, are they partially at fault in your view? I had inferred that you think so, but concede that I may have misinterpreted your position. But if you do think they contributed, like wearing a short skirt, that is victim blaming.
Of course, mirror-equipped motorbikes are nearly as vulnerable to being swiped off the highway, except they can maintain a higher speed so are harder to catch...
The punch - no chance on getting the plate as I was clipped in and trying very hard not to fall off. I had to jump up and down a traffic island but stayed upright. By the time I got cranking they were too far away to read it. BTW, that is only one instance. I've been hit by bottles and other crap thrown at me as well as being run into a ditch on a clear, wide, straight road with no other vehicles.
Oh, I was pulling your leg about the red light thing. Got more than I bargained for
As an aside: AFAIK there is no minimum size for a mirror fitted to a motorbike e.g. one guy I know gets his WOF with a dental inspection mirror taped to his bars (he uses a Reevu helmet instead). But he's legal and that mirror is certainly not much use. I don't think you even need to be able to SEE the mirror fitted to your motorbike in order to pass. It could be under your tail tidy. But that is another bit of craziness...
ouch!..lol, ya had to bring up the hit that forced me to sell my beloved guzzi
(shattered my shoulder that did)
But yes, totally agree, its not the cyclists fault when hit from behind...I just thought that mirrors may help them spot the tools that fail to see them or react to there dodging a car door being throwing open or such, it may help reduce the death rate....I dunno (hence the question)
(And if they get hit from behind and don't have mirrors...certainly not there fault!...same goes for short skirts)
Well done for staying upright after the punch incident...Ive had the bottle thing too...but like you..thats just one of the many many incidents we are forced to deal with.
Reevu helmet!!...they look bloody awesome! (lucky guy)
It certainly seems clear that the solution is not an easy one when it comes to road safety for cyclists...I don't think Hi-viz is gonna help at all, maybe better roads and harder license standards...I dunno...but at least people are trying to address the issue and like you, open to discussion
many thanks for the feedback chasio, always a pleasure(its why I love this site...you guys put up with my stupid questions and rambling lol)
When Life thows me a curve
...I lean into it!
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