Cyclists cause an accident :(

[doc]

Sooner Transit gets rid of all those friggen corners we will be all safe our gps and cruise control will get us there, it will be real fun waiting for the alarm to indicate that we have arrived. As long as we go for a ride with a mate we are going to end up pushing the limits now and then and when we have a situation with whats comming from the other direction having a situation as well thats what its all about. Just don't let women get involved because then it will always be someones elses fault. They should have never gotten the vote, thats where it all started. Blame Blame its never my fault

[Ixion]

Jantar: Yes, a Road Rule is law. So three abreast is illegal (as it always was)

More to the point it is discourteous and arrogant. We used to call such people road hogs. Unfortunately such behaviour does seem to be regretably common amongst cyclists.

To Marty's question about L plate motorcyclists. I would hope than any learner bikers would not be guilty of such discourtesy. If I observed such, I would take it upon myself to point out to them that one of the hall marks of a true biker is that he or she is courteous and obliging to other road users.

I have ridden many many open road miles on very low powered machines , which would struggle to maintain 70kph. I hope (and believe) that I did not obstruct other road users for any more than the short time meeded to pull over and let them through. A little consideration goes a long way.

None of which excuses the dangerous driving of the prat in the cage. (Incidentally I wish one of the plod members could explain to me why driving can only be dangerous, as far as the law is concerned, if the speed limit is exceeded.)

[andrea]

the damn mutha farkers, see thats what i hate the most is those farken cyclists they think they own the farken road so i just drive as close as i can to them when im in my car or just zip past them when im on my bike and i curse the farkers and give em the finger.
but the dumbarse mutha farker shouldn't have over taken the farkwits on a blind corner. oh mannn doesn't that just fark you off when they don't stop, farken biarchhhhhhhhhhs!!!! anyways hope ur friends ok hmmm

[Swoop]

Cyclists. They're a cunt to pick out of the tread in your tyres...

[beyond]

Thanks for the responses peoples. Some responses very good, some downright patronising.

To elucidate. If I had been in a car, there would have been a head on. Period. The cyclists were doing around 40-50kmh and no more. The cage had seen them for the length of an entire straight and around the corner was another straight. He could have waited a few more seconds and it would have been clear. But no, he had to pass, with his family and at no less than 90kmh, risking his life, the lives of his family and whoever he encountered coming the other way.

Sure, the title appears misleading. BUT, if the bikes had been single file, then the car would probably and more likely, not have had to cross the white line.

In the end, the cage driver is a complete tosser and a danger to all motorists. If I had been in a car and came around the corner at even 50-60kmh, there was no way to have avoided a head on. The fact that we were on bikes and moving the speed we were, was the only reason no one bounced off the buggers bonnet.

What irks me even more, is that the prat probably didn't even know what he had done and probably thought everyone was ok. He would have been long gone around the corner while Jason was struggling to stay on two wheels, offroading on a street bike.

[sAsLEX]

What irks me even more, is that the prat probably didn't even know what he had done and probably thought everyone was ok. He would have been long gone around the corner while Jason was struggling to stay on two wheels, offroading on a street bike.

Glad to hear your alright , hindsights a bitch and it suggests that after checking that your mate was ok which he sounds like he was maybe chasing the guy getting his number plate, a name from the cyclists (as witnesses to the cars dangerous antics) , and reporting those to your insurance would of been worthwhile....... but adreniline annd having just narrowly avoided becoming a hood ornament sort of clouds ones judgement......

[gijoe1313]

Damn, hearing the facts like that - your asphalt angels must have been working overtime and in tandem to make sure you weren't hood ornaments! Quite a few factors combining together to almost make a tragedy Guess your natural skill and experience enabled you both to make the best of a bad scenario.

I understand the cyclist's position well (I road and mountain bike around also), but I can't believe the idiot in the cage - hope karma teaches him (I assume its testosterone idiocy!) a non-fatal lesson quickly. And yet, here I was after splitting off from the scenic riders 250 ride and encountering a cager and his passengers in dire straits (the car was overheating seriously) I pulled over to see if I could be of assistance - I think they were shocked to receive unsolicited help, or maybe they were afraid of me whipping out a length of chain and belting them with it!

On down the road, and in 2 minutes I encountered a cow running amok on the road! I pulled over and waved at the following traffic to slow down - farkin' idiots just keep booting it pass me and then they all slam on the anchors when the cow starts bullrushing them! I've worked out a pattern here. Anytime I help a cager out, the fark'n idiots just get into more trouble (cops/mad cows/distressed images of biker from hell).

My oath, I should just watch out for my fellow riders on two wheels of freedom!

Ride safe and ride for fun everyone!

[Sketchy_Racer]

They are entitled to a whole lane, just like everybody else.

Sorry mate, but thats BS

Cyclists don't pay roaduser charges so don't deserve a piece of a lane let alone all of it!

If the road a cyclist is riding on does not have enough room on the shoulder for them to fit in, they shouldn't be on that raod. Its like the pricks up piecock hill on the pushbikes in a pack of ten. even on a bike its hard to pass safely let alone in a car!

[Steam]

Sorry mate, but thats BS

Cyclists don't pay roaduser charges so don't deserve a piece of a lane let alone all of it!

If the road a cyclist is riding on does not have enough room on the shoulder for them to fit in, they shouldn't be on that raod. Its like the pricks up piecock hill on the pushbikes in a pack of ten. even on a bike its hard to pass safely let alone in a car!

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the law says a bicycle is a vehicle, and MUST ride on the road, not the shoulder.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Yeah fair enough, its my opinion.

But if the cyclists had just rode single file, this accident could have been avoided.

Although the person in the car is complete wanker with a carrot up his arse.

[Steam]

He swung left to avoid a high speed head on, but didn't manage to get his bike back down into the corner and shot of the shoulder.
I was checking him in the rearview mirrors and he looked like he would pull it off (does Motocross) he was snaking and sliding for about 90 metres in the gravel, dirt then hit a patch of mud and his front washed out at around 40-50kmh.

He was covered in crap but wasn't hurt, thankfully.

Glad to hear he was ok, it seems like both the cyclists and car were at fault, nothng you can really do eh? Rocking riding on your part, sounds like some good adrenalin action going down there.

As for that wild ride along the ground, man, after having a crash the other day, I learned crashing without injury is an excellent time, and something I would pay to do! I envy your friend, apart from the expensive smashed fairings; Everything whirling around, the imminent threat of death, like a rollercoaster except real. That's living!

Now for 60mg of Codeine, and off to bed for me...

[Ixion]

No, I don't think it's illegal. Certainly 2 abreast isn't. They are entitled to a whole lane, just like everybody else. Look it up. That's why when the Critical Mass cyclists block rush-hour traffic, the cops can't do much. They shouldn't unreasonably obstruct trafic tho, that's true.

[edit] Ok, I looked it up, 2 is ok but three abreast is illegal, but ok in a formal road-race situation.

They are. They are also under the same legal duty as other traffic, to keep left, and not impede other traffic.

LAND TRANSPORT (OFFENCES AND PENALTIES) REGULATIONS 1999
SCHEDULE 1

11.10

Ride cycle or moped

1,000

-

55

abreast

2.1(1)

Fail to drive as near as

1,000

-

150

-

practicable to the left
of the roadway

2.1(2)

Fail to allow impeded

1,000

-

150

-

traffic to pass

[McJim]

Sorry mate, but thats BS

Cyclists don't pay roaduser charges so don't deserve a piece of a lane let alone all of it!

I pay road user charges for 2 cages and a motorbike - I could use at least one of them 24/7 if I choose to use my racing bicycle on the road I think I've paid for that priviledge - how much road erosion am I causing that needs to be paid for by road user charges on a bicycle anyway?

FFS why do all raod users blame all other road users for all the ills of the world?

There are some great cyclists and there are some pricks on bicycles
There are some great motorcyclists and there are some pricks on bikes
There are some great cage drivers and there are some pricks in cars
There are some great truck drivers and there are some pricks driving trucks

The point is it's the fuckin' pricks we should be having a go at not the folk that know how to use the road. Their defining feature is not the mode of transportation but the fact that they are fuckwits.

rant over - thanks - needed that out of my system.

Really glad no one came to serious grief.

[RT527]

i'm not sure the road code would stand up as legislation in court

Actually Marty I dont give a flying Eff about Legislation, I drive heavy vehicles for a living And while I can be charged, Thats right i can actually be charged for pulling left and allowing people to pass me I still do it, i consider the driver behind me and where possible pull as far left as possible this does 2 things....stops the idiot from making a rash decision and trying to overtake on a blind corner , and also keeps my fellow volunteers from having to come out and deal with it.
But then this isnt a perfect world we live in and theres plenty of truckies that Ive seen act very similar to what those cyclists did, in being inconsiderate, hell that could go across the board, and include cars buses trucks Motorcyclists, pedestrians ,cyclists every one does it but that doesnt mean its right!.
The point is there tho , the car driver was directly at fault in making his manouvre. It doesnt count what the cyclists did wrong, the car driver superceded this by his Stupid Action.
Hmmmm i set out here to rip Marty to bits, but find myself agreeing with him.
I`d rather see a cyclist run off the road than go under my truck wheels, So you`d have to agree that maybe keeping as far left as safely possible would be a better line to take?.
Drive Safe everyone.....No actually Drive/Ride consideratly Everyone.

[Posh Tourer :P]

(edited) i consider the driver behind me and where possible pull as far left as possible this does 2 things....stops the idiot from making a rash decision and trying to overtake on a blind corner , and also keeps my fellow volunteers from having to come out and deal with it.

The point is there tho , the car driver was directly at fault in making his manouvre. It doesnt count what the cyclists did wrong, the car driver superceded this by his Stupid Action.

I`d rather see a cyclist run off the road than go under my truck wheels.

I have to say, the number of people in here blaming the cyclists for "forcing" the car driver to overtake on a blind corner is incredible. The car driver is completely at fault. The cyclists dont have any sort of psychic powers.....

I will pull over if on a bicycle if I'm really holding up traffic. On the other hand, I will also use a decent amount of road, because any car driver overtaking me (given that they follow the road code and allow sufficient room) will need to use the other lane in most cases anyway. I will keep left, but I wouldnt have many qualms about riding two abreast (closely). Three makes it harder to overtake as the car has to swerve further out to overtake, so fair call they weren't acting truly considerately. Yes, I'd also rather go off the road than under some wheels, but with people being a bit more considerate neither ought to be necessary....