Is no pavement-riding rule for cyclists “nuts”? Campaigners in Australia fight to make it legal; Councillor blames police for victim blaming cyclists; Van der Poel wheelies on the beach; National Cyclocross Network; Dream SL8 build + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“Can’t the police use Google?” Cyclist mistakenly pulled over by police and threatened with ticket for “using phone” – and then gets lectured by officer for not wearing helmet or hi-vis`
A cyclist who complained to the police after he was mistakenly pulled over by an officer for “using a mobile phone” while riding on the road – when, in fact, the cyclist was attempting to save footage of a close pass from a lorry driver on his bike camera – was later told that, though there is no specific offence for using an electronic device while riding a bike, his actions could still be deemed “careless and inconsiderate”.
During the incident, after stopping the cyclist the officer erroneously argued that it was illegal to use a phone or electronic device while cycling, telling the rider to “look it up”, said that he would have received a ticket – or been arrested or charged – had she not been on her own, and advised him that not wearing a helmet or hi-vis clothing could lead to him getting “killed or smushed”.
“I can’t facepalm this enough”: Councillor slams police for advising cyclists to wear “fluorescent for day, reflective for night”
Ah here we go again, another local police campaign to “keep cyclists safe” by… advising the cyclists.
Just getting this out here by the way: > Study finds that wearing hi-vis can INCREASE chance of collision while cycling
Anyway before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s have a quick read of the post from Dorset Police.
Do you cycle to and from work? Wearing suitable clothing can help other road users to notice you.
[⛅] During daylight hours, wearing fluorescent clothing can help you to stand out against your surroundings.
[🌙] Once the sun goes down, cyclists should wear clothing with reflective tabards to help others to see them in the dark.
If you’re cycling at night, remember that bikes should be equipped with a white light at the front and a red light and reflector at the back.
Right, nothing to see here, just a few casual rounds of “victim-blaming” according to numerous seething cyclists on social media. Just what the doctor ordered for a Friday morning!
However, Lib Dem councillor from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Adrian Chapmanlaw wasn’t having any of it either. He shared the post on Twitter and Facebook, captioning with the words: “I can’t facepalm this enough”. I think I would tend to agree.
Mathieu van der Poel "wheelie" loves the beach
Look away now Peter Sagan fans. Something something “wheelies for show, attacking with a broken shoe for dough”…
National "Cyclocross" Network?
To be fair, the NCN in where I live is pretty damn good. But this… I might need Van Aert-like CX skills to keep myself on the bike, given it’s pretty much a stream flowing down there.
The National Cycle Network (Route 26) near Sherborne.
(To be fair, I’ve heard a local councillor may be working with Sustrans and the landowner to get this stretch improved and/or find an alternative route.) pic.twitter.com/wJlHAbRy3v
— Tom Hallett (@thomashallett) November 16, 2023
Are these VERY cheap bike upgrades and accessories too good to be true? Testing 10 budget cycling products from 'China's answer to Amazon'
We know Christmas is coming, so is Black Friday. You might be looking for some bike accessories/upgrades to gift your mates, so you go to Google (as you do today, instead of a bike shop), and maybe type in a vague search query for what you’re looking for. And there, you are bombarded with search results from this website called Temu, with price tags too good to be true!
What’s Temu, you ask? And are those dirt-cheap products any good? Worry not, the road.cc bought 10 things from Temu, the latest buzzy bargain basement online retailer to crop up amid the cost-of-living crisis, and put them through their paces to see if they’re actually any good…
So long, Rod Ellingworth and thanks for all the wins — Ineos Grenadiers’ deputy chief has reportedly resigned amidst rumours of backroom tension
According to a report this morning, Rod Ellingworth, the Ineos Grenadiers’ deputy team principal and one of the British squad’s founding members, has resigned from his role amid rumours of internal tensions, according to reports this morning, marking the end of an era for an Ineos team struggling to break out of a prolonged transitional period in recent years…
How I imagine my bike builds would go, featuring Specialized Tarmac SL8
I’m not even going to lie, I’ve most probably dreamt, or more like, had nightmares of things going horribly wrong when building a bike (now that I type this, it’s less of a nightmare and more of a certain reality…).
But if, in an ideal world, bike builds weren’t a greasy and mucky affair, this is how it would probably go. Can’t deny that all black SL8 looks very, very appealing.
Don't take away my bigger back wheels! The sad state of hour record bikes with standard back wheels being sold for ludicrous amounts of money
road.cc regular Jo Burt, and a known aficionado of all things cycling, wasn’t very pleased this morning with what he saw on Facebook Marketplace.
they’re asking waaaay too much for this but just look at it. i might crowdfund an intervention to reclaim this amazing lo pro Bob Jackson from it’s fixietwat transgression #facebookmarketplace pic.twitter.com/cTcNKSVo1O
— Jo Burt (@VecchioJo) November 17, 2023
A disgrace, some might even say an abomination! What has happened to the perpetually downhill-rolling, bigger wheel at the back, glorious reverse penny farthings today?
Famously, Francesco Moser, “Lo sceriffo”, one of the all-time greats set the world hour record on such a bike, with two seat tubes, a 700c wheel at the front and a custom-built 1030c at the back. It’s honestly quite enthralling to watch in action.
But of course, even this bike, is up for grabs at Steel Vintage Bikes.
If you’ve got the cash, send in an offer and see if that makes someone happy. Just please don’t switch the giant back wheel for a regular sized one, and definitely keep UCI off your tail…
Wildest video I've seen today: A bottle of Moretti being opened in bizarre fashion (yes it's got something to do with cycling)
What has a video of a bottle of Birra Moretti being opened got to do with Hope Tech you ask? Well, obviously Hope has released a limited edition “crank arm bottle opener” for £40.
Honestly, not a bad product to own or gift (obviously it’s overpriced so be it as it may), but was the video really needed?
The season's getting closer! Only 100 days until Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
The road season is MUCH closer than you think https://t.co/rr9Dx1Kl7G
— Tim Bonville-Ginn (@TimBonvilleGinn) November 16, 2023
Cycling campaigners say it is "nuts" that cyclists aren't allowed to share the pavement with pedestrians in Australia, claiming that a rule change is "inevitable"
Campaigners in Australia are fighting to have a rule changed that they believe is “nuts”.
Anyone over the age of 16 riding a bicycle on the pavement in New South Wales can be slapped with a $116 fine. In Victoria, the age limit is even lower, anyone over the age 14 can run a risk of being fined up to $182 if found cycling on the footpath. This means cyclists in some of the biggest Australian cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne and its capital Canberra are forced to ride on the roads in traffic due to a lack of segregated cycle infrastructure.
> Melbourne cyclists face £900 fine for breaking 10km/h speed limit in shared zones
All this could soon be set to change, accelerated by the recent decision of Wollongong City Council which officially proposed such a change this week — a move supported by Bicycle NSW, a campaign group which is lobbying for a statewide ruling.
“It has to happen because of the lack of support for separated bike lanes,” Edward Hore, President of the Australian Cycling Alliance, told Yahoo News Australia, saying many cyclists are “terrified” at the prospect of using busy roads.
Hore said the areas of main concern is the vast suburban sprawl outside of the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs where there are minimal shared paths or designated bike lanes.
“In places like Blacktown in Sydney there are lots of areas which have high-speed cars and trucks sharing the road with cyclists and they’re not allowed to ride on the footpath,” Mr Hore said.
“That’s just nuts because that’s where the crashes happen.”
> Aussie cyclists protest mandatory helmet laws with helmet-optional rides
Bicycle NSW chief executive Peter McLean also pointed to the successful co-existence of pedestrians and cyclists on footpaths in other states and abroad, stressing that pedestrians always have the right of way.
Hore dismissed concerns cyclists would cycle too fast on the footpath, saying riders are constantly maintaining a safe speed due to the amount of hazards such as cars exiting driveways. He argued cyclists would be going 20km/h at most, which is a “perfectly safe” speed.
WalkSydney spokeswoman Lena Huda has argued footpaths are already too congested, however, Mr Hore said the busiest footpaths are in the CBD where cyclists only use them once they’ve reached their destination.
Hmm, riding on the pavement, while illegal in the UK, seems like it would be welcome by cyclists in Australia. But is there a possibility that it could make matters worse with pedestrians and cyclists sharing the pavement? Or could this be the first step towards demanding better segregated infrastructure for cyclists? Let me know in the comments!
17 November 2023, 09:37
17 November 2023, 09:37
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How dare you road.cc. Now I'm back to "0 days without seeing a MTB" and my Friday evening biscuit is a total write-off.
Amazing value for 30 bucks. Add a few stars there rockafella
How much of Halfrauds profits are due to them charging 15% commission on the cycle to work scheme they somehow have tied up so many companies to? Profiting off local bike shops and making more off sales than the IBD does, all because some clueless person in HR doesn't care what cycle scheme they choose, and employees get charged more too.
I'm currently sat next to a bike - but I'm not riding it, not is it on the road. Nor in Surrey. Remove me!
@MaxiMinimalist I see you retain your strange obsession with the claim that the only way Decathlon, a global entity with €16.8 billion revenues for whom the cycle team is an essential primary promotional tool for their kit and bikes, will be able to keep Seixas with a sugar daddy cheque from the owner of their co-title sponsor. Why is this? Incidentally Seixas is not winning the next Tour in any case unless Jonas and Tadej both crash out, so the question is unlikely to arise.
@ChrisA Just for info it's Bishops Cleeve. I think the bus lane bit is about the section along Lansdown Road going out of Cheltenham towards Gloucester. This "cycle lane" has been in place for many years. The surface is bumpy due to tree roots and eroded surfaces, cyclists are expected to give way at junctions and it goes past many driveways so you have to be alert at all times. There are bus lanes alongside some of this section and, yes, I still use the bus lanes and the road where the bus lanes run out. This section is not green like the rest of the path and when the green runs out getting through Cheltenham and onto the Gloucester section is hit and miss to say the least. The new green section from Bishops Cleeve to just north of Cheltenham town center is indeed well used and is much appreciated despite the lack of any cyclist priority at beg buttons. Cyclists do have priority at side roads, as in the picture, and motorists seem to be getting the idea. I don't know if it has anything to do with the OpSnap reports I sent in on the occasions I had to brake to avoid a collision when it was newly opened, but things are definiteley improving.
@MaxiMinimalist Ah yes, the good old "You are but what am I?" argument beloved of schoolboys everywhere. Anyone who calls someone a fascist must actually be some form of fascist themselves or other form of oppressor. Hitler and his vermin used this to great effect, claiming that all they were doing was saving the nation from the oppression of communists, social democrats and trade unions, frequently portraying themselves as the victims of said oppression. There's even a name for it in the psychology textbooks, DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.
It was when perce and that Clem Fandango bounced off one another that they both did their best work...
I don't believe that the Italian state under Mussolini was run particularly well. Their army were awful, their invasion of Greece failed, though their losses did draw Germany in because it threatened the flanks for Barbarossa. North Africa was also shameful, once again only saved by Rommel and the afrika corps. If your talking national socialist, I'm never going to dispute that German efficiency and bureaucracy, however stereotypical, will always rate highly, but the state was run on the whims of a madman, surrounded by sycophants enacting policies derived by attempting to ingratiate themselves from vague concepts and hints from the aforementioned madman. Often in competition with pointless duplication of effort.
Never mind that - they've gone and named the site road.cc instead of Surreyrider.cc - what were they thinking‽‽
77 thoughts on “Is no pavement-riding rule for cyclists “nuts”? Campaigners in Australia fight to make it legal; Councillor blames police for victim blaming cyclists; Van der Poel wheelies on the beach; National Cyclocross Network; Dream SL8 build + more on the live blog”
“Is your car painted a
“Is your car painted a metallic grey, the colour of a road in the rain? Consider having it resprayed fluoro yellow so as to help other road users see you.”
I do still wonder what the purpose of those big lamp-things on the fronts of motor vehicles is, if they require everything else around them to be fluoro or reflective…
They’re devices for
They’re devices for activating hi-vis clothing, cyclists should be grateful that the British public are doing so much of the work of keeping cyclists safe for them /s
In bright sun, it doesn’t
In bright sun, it doesn’t matter what you wear as it all looks black.
Contrast is more important than saying wear flouro.
Being older and more risk averse, I just have a light and don’t worry about the clothing.
Drive at a speed where you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. Adjust speed / distance further for winding country roads with tight bends.
Yes, when I used to commute I
Yes, when I used to commute I always used lights (can’t remember whether I started before I almost rode into the back of another cyclist going uphill into a lowish sun – I was certainly glad I wasn’t doing any speed)
I always preferred it in the winter once it was dark on the winding country roads – cars coming the other way would almost always stop/slow coming up to corners when they say my light coming the other way
Bright low winter sun is one
Bright low winter sun is one of the worse, especially when the roads are wet and reflecting light back up.
That’s what polarising
That’s what polarising sunglasses are for.
Covid caused me to cycle at
Covid caused me to cycle at lunchtime and then rapidly get a cateye viz 300 when I realised that the winter sun matched the nsl road I was on at that time of day. Was evenlater tempted by the 450.
* this is purely my approach for my risk appetite. Other approaches are available.
The problem is that it is
The problem is that it is always about whether they actually look. If they don’t look it doesn’t matter what you are wearing. I’m three weeks out from having a third surgery on my shoulder in the last eight months and my brother will forever have a crushed vertebrae. In both cases we were taken out while wearing extremely bright clothing during summer afternoons.
Having said that, a number of years ago I was cycling into work and a bus driver decided to give me abuse out of his window about not wearing a flourescent jacket. At the time it was pitch black and I pointed out to him that I was wearing reflective clothing (and backpack cover), which was more effective in the dark. He didn’t seem to get it, and I think it just ultimately feeds into motorists having more reasons to moan about people on bikes.
squired wrote:
Look, if we can just get all pedestrians, cyclists and other road users to wear bright, reflective, hi-viz clothing with both flashing and steady lights on all the time, then it’ll save the drivers having to pay attention – the progress on Candy Crush will make it all worth while.
Sadly there’s none so blind
Sadly there’s none so blind as those who aren’t actually looking.
Moving to a separate topic but it’s not just “looking at lap” / “not bothering to check”. Human brains are excellent at finding labour-saving heuristics. Through repeated non-exposure to cyclists I think people are often “only looking for motor vehicles”. It’s not that they’re trying, their brains have just learned to discard all the other stuff. I’ve had a few memorable daylight “I can see you, looking right at me … and oh shit you aren’t seeing me are you” moments.
Feature of humans: so rather than only trying to fight it (by trying to make millions of drivers much better all the time) some places have aided people by making it absolutely bleeding obvious where to expect the people walking / on bikes (at side roads [1] [2], at junctions, on roundabouts). And have those designs bog standard and ubiquitous so you get daily reinforcement.
Re: Australian anti-cyclist
Re: Australian anti-cyclist fines
Imagine how different it would look if car owners got slapped with a fine for driving on the pavement if their car is parked there.
they used to simply drive
they used to simply drive along the pavement outside my house so they didn’t have to wait for oncoming traffic.
Got the council to put bollards in as my child nearly got run over by some clown.
There is a narrow (but wide
There is a narrow (but wide enough) road on the way to my child’s school where it seems to be de rigeur for all parents to drive along the pavement rather than slow down to an appropriate speed where two cars can pass safely. Boils. My. Piss.
7.15am, hi-vis jacket, hi-vis
7.15am, hi-vis jacket, hi-vis helmet, high vis shoes. Hit from behind less than 20 seconds after getting on my bike. Luckily I was pushed off the bike to the side, as the car ran over the bike.
I was wearing leggings rather than shorts, so my palish legs weren’t visible. Must be my fault.
Ouch, sorry to hear that. I
Ouch, sorry to hear that. I hope that you’re OK.
It was several years ago now,
It was several years ago now, driver stopped, but wasn’t insured to drive that car. I did get money from the insurers, but it didn’t cover replacing the bike or damaged clothing.
The good news was that when the ambulance arrived and did my blood pressure it was about 220/120, after starting on a few ant-hypertensives it is controlled beautifully.
Wow, hope you are OK – and
Wow, hope you are OK – and that the driver stopped and gave their details?
Hope you are OK.
Hope you are OK.
If a driver isn’t looking, choice of clothing is irrelevant.
But… at least when the other parties insurance tries to reduce your payout because you weren’t “appropriately dressed”, you can fight their claim.
Definitely your fault, from
Definitely your fault, from the picture you can clearly see you have no lights in broad daylight and you weren’t wearing a helmet, when everything but your head hit the deck (what more victim blaming sh1te can you make up!).
Seriously, I hope the only damage done is the piggled bike and it gets sorted soon!
No number plate, no road tax,
No number plate, no road tax, no insurance, must have been jumping a red light….
I mean, I get it. But then
I mean, I get it. But then you do have people like the guy I see each morning at around 5:30AM cycling with no lights wearing all black. And when I say see, I mean on multiple occassions have nearly run in to.
Agreed. We tend to cry
Agreed. We tend to cry ‘victim blaming’ here, but some of the cyclists I see on the roads of London are very tricky to spot when wearing all black at night with no lights. If one of them got hit by a driver, I don’t think the blame would lie solely with the driver.
Agree on the London part,
Agree on the London part, when I use the Brompton to get across London I see some of the worse cycling around.
I normally shout ‘get some
I normally shout ‘get some lights’.
Do it every time I see the
Do it every time I see the guy
Not the same guy, but at
Not the same guy, but at least it’s not just me that isn’t afraid to speak out.
I hope not, I’m definitely
I hope not, I’m definitely not Scottish !
Maybe try driving to the
Maybe try driving to the conditions?
I’m cycling not driving, but
I’m cycling not driving, but congratulations on bringing to light another issue. That of the element of the cycling community that believes it is everyone elses responsibilty and that a cyclist is exempt for taking any part in ensuring their own safety, and that the highway code only applies to motorists.
Maybe brush up on the highway code yourself, specifically:
Rule 60
At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
Rule 59
Rule 59
Clothing. You should avoid clothes that may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights when you are cycling.
Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing can help other road users to see you in daylight and poor light, while reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) can increase your visibility in the dark.
Snipped to avoid the helmet derailment.
It’s not victim blaming to suggest that brights and reflectives are a good idea.
Absolutely. On my commute I
Absolutely. On my commute I see a mix of cyclists wearing nothing bright/relective and a number who do, the difference in how far ahead you can see them is clear, and is why I wear a jacket that is reflective myself. The the highway code rule is only advisory on this, but really it is common sense.
Yep. I have recently started
Yep. I have recently started doing the ‘school run’ (at 6pm) through a largely unlit park and, despite having a good dynamo light, was a bit surprised how late I see dark-dressed pedestrians on the path.
Its funny the only item of
Its funny the only item of flourescent that I’ve ever found to make any difference is my PassPixi…..
I don’t think that wearing
I don’t think that wearing fluorescent clothing is going to prevent close passes. Those drivers can see that you’re there but don’t care enough to actually give a decent amount of space.
Nor will fluorescent clothing do any good when a driver simply doesn’t look.
But wearing fluorescent clothing can still make a difference on the odd occasion when it makes the difference between a driver being able to see you from a distance, and not seeing you until they’re very close to you. Being in the shade of trees on a sunny day, for example.
Course, there was also a case
Course, there was also a case reported here where someone (perhaps the coroner?) concluded that the dead victim’s hi-viz blended in with the trees on a bright day. It seems we can’t win.
I thought (per the rules) the
I thought (per the rules) the idea was that because less than perfect driving conditions frequently occur* taking appropriate action was therefore basic road craft. It seems I have the logic wrong. Because “we had to drive, everybody drives” then apparently it’s the responsibility to drive appropriately that can get in the bin (see numerous court reports on road.cc). So when people didn’t take appropriate action for the conditions, those conditions themselves excuse any bad outcomes.
That applies to cyclists also (and there are rules also). There is a slight difference though: when cycling you’re not putting on hi-viz / reflectives / pedal reflectors and shiny spokey dokeys because that’s needed to stop you injuring others.
I know pedestrians are sometimes encouraged to make themselves more visible. However it doesn’t seem to be there are capaigns outside clothing stores every autumn. Of course, people on foot don’t generally spend as long on the roads as those cycling** – but there are a lot more of them.
* Sometimes predictably so, like “it gets dark at night” and “bright sun early in the morning / late evening” and “slippery conditions in winter”.
** I’m very lucky in the UK in that I can spend quite a lot of my routine journeys completely separated from motor traffic.
So when people didn’t take
So when people didn’t take appropriate action for the conditions, those conditions themselves excuse any bad outcomes
Although I am repeating myself too soon, this is indeed the approach of Lancashire Constabulary: when I was hit waiting to leave Sainsbury’s, the blame was put onto the dark and rain- presumably because the driver couldn’t be expected to know about those.
Secret_squirrel wrote:
I mean….sure. But here is a snapshot of me leaving in the morning on our security camera, light, reflector, reflective strip on my bag on the pannier and a reflective jacket.
I see guys cycling ahead of me at times who clearly work in the warehouses enroute and wear their work clothes with reflective stripes, and my light picks them up way in the distance due to this.
Of course you are not going to prevent all close passes, but making yourself more visible is never a bad thing.
My newest (minor) addition to
My newest (minor) addition to my reflective gear is a few of these stickers.
Nothing at all to do with the
Nothing at all to do with the various articles above, but I saw this ‘bike build’ video this mornging and it’s superb!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CztJ6AgpW3t/
It turns out that my post DID
It turns out that my post DID have something to do with the articles above. It seems that my delayed clicking of the ‘save’ button after typing the post (due to that annoying thing called ‘work’ getting in the way) meant that by the time I acually posted this, the Road.cc peeps had already done a piece on it! My bad!!
I lost track but did Ineos
I lost track but did Ineos actually sign anyone decent to replace Hart and the rest yet?
Secret_squirrel wrote:
AJ August (US, 17, described as “like Remco but probably more powerful”) and Oscar Rodriguez but still lots of spaces.
That National Cycle Network
That National Cycle Network mud puddle is a really strange one. The route literally takes a 2 mile detour off the country lane it’s about to rejoin anyway just so it can go through that field for absolutely no reason whatsoever (and that heavy Dorset clay is a bugger when it’s wet). Why? It wouldn’t be a problem for people who know it’s there because you’d just take the quicker, shorter route on the road anyway, but if you followed a GPS route into it you’d be very confused about why you’d been sent there.
road.cc wrote:
Legality of pavement riding is not always the criteria for nuisance to pedestrians. I have been to city where there were huge sidewalks that was legal to ride bicycle or scooter and there wasn’t a problem, been to my place with a single guy riding a obviously illegal scooter that busted everybody’s balls.
I am clearly in favor of permitting bicycle or scooter in sidewalks at mild speeds and behavior.
A few years back cycling to
A few years back cycling to work with 2 front and back lights in hiviz I passed a guy cycling in only a thong and a Santa Hat (a bet or charity?). Every one at work saw him as they drove past because they were all talking about him. No one seemed to see me.
I’m sure there’s a moral there if you want to be seen.
So the takeaway from that is
So the takeaway from that is to always wear Lycra, but make sure it’s in blue and red, maybe with a web pattern… Commuting in Costume, as a safety tip.
brooksby wrote:
I see a fruitful crossover with “cycling as a sport” here.
How many cyclists dressed as dinosaurs, beefeaters or giant inhalers have been run over? Exactly!
(When I rode a banana yellow Kingcycle recumbent with a tail fairing I became so visible that I had people driving alongside me filming on their phones. Actually, maybe don’t try that at home…)
I wonder if Shimano are going
I wonder if Shimano are going to recycle all those recalled Ultegra/Dura-Ace cranks into bottle openers?
It’ll make a change from
It’ll make a change from being ankle openers
I wonder if Shimano are going
I wonder if Shimano are going to recycle all those recalled Ultegra/Dura-Ace cranks into bottle openers?
Well, if they can use pasta for cranks, surely they can use cranks for…?
Other fact about Australian
Other fact about Australian Road Laws is while it maybe standard guide for whole of the country each state have their little quirks. Road CC has written about NSW and Victoria take on the regulations but up in Queensland and the North Territory, cyclists of any age are allowed to ride on a footpath unless prohibited by a ‘NO BICYCLES’ sign. Helmet requirements are also different in the NT If you’re 17 or under, you must wear an approved helmet if you’re riding on a public place or footpath. If you’re over 17, you are not required to wear a helmet on a public place or footpath unless riding on the road. I believe the fine is far less, about $25 in the NT for not wearing a helmet. On the other hand NSW it is $344 with a maximum penalty of $2200. Victoria it ranges from $231 to $925. Based on this information NT and Queensland offer a better cycling experience then the rest of Australia.
https://www.reidcycles.com.au/blogs/news/fines-for-not-wearing-a-bike-helmet-in-each-australian-state#:~:text=South%20Australia%20%2D%20%24113%20plus%20a,surprisingly%20high%20fine%20of%20%24344.
The ACT (Canberra) is the
The ACT (Canberra) is the best city to ride in Australia. You can ride on the footpath at any age, you don’t have to dismount to cross roads, you are meant to wear a helmet but that law isn’t enforced, we have on road and off road bike paths on all major routes and most minor ones and no matter where you live you are never further than a 20minute ride from a country road with minimal traffic. Oh – and we have flat roads, rolling hills and small mountains. Heaven!
I am in Melbourne, there are
I am in Melbourne, there are some great shared paths along local creeks and rivers. On road facilities are hit and miss in and round the city. Don’t know how often the helmet law is policed, not willing to find out.
She was in my blind spot
She was in my blind spot
Cleared by jury
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23931962.lorry-driver-found-not-guilty-oxford-parkway-fatal-crash/?ref=wa
Feck me there are some
Feck me there are some horrific comments on that post.
Hirsute wrote:
Obviously, beware the dangers of internet sleuthing from news reports… but we have a lorry crossing a solid white line into a bus / taxi / cycle lane where it shouldn’t and a driver who it seems cannot have done all his checks. Not guilty of causing death by careless driving. Note – not dangerous, not even careless.
On the other – the jury were told that due to blind spots that large vehicles are always a danger. That the cyclist failed to notice the lorry and they arrived at the same time. Video apparently shows they checked behind them (presumably the near side lane) but didn’t notice the lorry in the further lane moving into the near side one. Plus the driver claimed he had to be in that lane earlier than the indicated turning point – and a colleague also crossed into it early. He had only been working in the area four weeks – hence maybe picked up this move from others?
Trigger warning – there’s an awful lot of “passive language” e.g. “she was crushed by a lorry which strayed into a bus and cycle lane”.
From here:
Presumably near here?
Ghost bike parked beyond the crossing.
Here is where you can turn in and cross the bus lane.
From your article and previous ones by the oxford mail (I’ve just pulled out paragraphs of note):
There was footage from the lorry’s front and side dashcams.
The prosecutor said “As regrettable as it is for a man whose record shows he is a careful and capable driver, on this occasion he wasn’t.”
The jury clearly disagreed. Tragic accident. Large vehicles, you can’t see well out of them. Just one of those things.
Large vehicles, you can’t see
Large vehicles, you can’t see well out of them. Just one of those things.
Yep, you’re bound to kill the odd one, every now and then. I rather suspect (NAL) that if he does kill another one, the fact of the death of the first would be withheld from the jury- because he was found not guilty. Not that they would take much notice anyway
Leaving all that aside – and
Leaving all that aside – and I’m not a local / don’t know this area – but:
a) I know some people find them useful, but why are we still mixing buses and bikes? Really dissimilar modes and at best only likely to get in each others’ way.
b) Where is the separate cycle path (not shared use footway)? Why doesn’t that continue south into Oxford? Such a route would serve a satellite town and a transport hub (park and ride / railway station)…
I’ve been hit by bikes in my
I’ve been hit by bikes in my wheelchair more times than I can even remember ,their so arragant only a tiny few have ever even said sorry it seem to be my fault for having the cheek to be on the pavement whilst they want to dodge the lights or a traffic queue . It’s a pity I’m limited to 4mph and can’t get out of the way of these extremely important people ,the pain caused by these hits is terrible I often have to stay in bed for days untill the pain finally passes , but to have to use the road may add seconds to their journey time and we can’t have that can we
So sorry to hear that! Just
So sorry to hear that! Just goes to show pr1cks are pr1cks no matter what mode of transport they use!
Jumping the shark.
Jumping the shark.
Sorry to hear about all that.
Sorry to hear about all that. Which story on the live blog is this anecdote related to?
Weird because I know several
Weird because I know several wheelchair users, none of whom have ever complained of being hit by cyclists, I have never heard of a cyclist hitting a wheelchair, in roughly 300,000 kms cycling around London I have never seen a cyclist hit a wheelchair or wheelchair users and cyclists come into conflict of any kind and on the first page of Google results for the search “Wheelchair hit by cyclist” there are only two stories, one from Liverpool and one from Tokyo and both in 2018 (loads of “wheelchair hit by car” stories though). You must be proper unlucky, you.
I can’t tell you how many
I can’t tell you how many electric scooters I’ve been hit by while waiting at traffic lights…
Hyperbole aside the way forward for active travel isn’t a bigger / more shared use paths, any more than exhortation to “share the road” will make them feel safe to more cyclists.
Also – anyone know the status of powered handcycle add-ons? It seems you would then have an EAPC and NOT an invalid carriage at all. I can’t recall seeing these in use. Probably Wheels For Wellbeing would have the info but it sounds like the regulations have essentially overlooked these.
Apparently fine in NL – but since everyone including pedestriansand indeed those in certain micro-cars are permitted on the cycle path perhaps it’s no issue?
https://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2009/04/cycle-paths-and-disabled.html
Shame you have had the
Shame you have had the expected responses from some road.cc regulars here too. Not a surprise though at all.
Adam Sutton wrote:
Nor is your response a surprise, as you will side with anybody who spouts exaggerated or false rubbish about cyclist behaviour. Try doing some research on injuries caused to wheelchair users being hit by cyclists on the pavement. You’ll have trouble, mind you, because evidence is pretty much non-existent, and yet you choose to believe the person above who has shown themselves numerous times to be virulently anti-cyclist; their only purpose in being on this site, and the only comments they have ever made, is to moan about cyclists. Hardly surprising you seem to feel an affinity with them.
It really is difficult for
It really is difficult for your ilk to simply acknowledge that there is an element of the cycling community that causes problems, without making lame excuses.
Adam Sutton wrote:
There are certain cyclists who cause problems, certainly (as you’re so adamant that riding a bike doesn’t make doesn’t make you part of the “cycling community” then your desire to classify all wrongdoers on bikes as part of said community is rank hypocrisy to say the least), but cyclists hitting wheelchair users on pavements simply isn’t one of them and the OP’s claims are quite clearly untrue and motivated by a bizarre hatred of all things cycling that seems, apart from accepting that it’s convenient for commuting, rather closely to mirror your own.
Hmmm I mean it’s not like the
Hmmm I mean it’s not like the prevalent attitude here towards drivers isn’t one of lumping all drivers together is it. Talk about hypocrisy.
I mean at least you kind of acknowledge there is an issue with cyclists, but again you have to make excuses, and downplay issues. Of course you’ll struggle to find data on wheelchair users as they are not a large proportion of society (we have one wheelchair user at work, as an example) Downplaying issues that may face is tantamount to people downplaying the issues cyclists face, and the need and benefit of investing in cycle infrastructure. Again my experience of the attitude of a LARGE number of cyclists using the new cycle infra through west London is one of recklessness that causes problems for not just potentially wheelchair users but any pedestrian.
Yes I commute by bike, but not only that I treat it as transport. I needed a few bits today in town and cycled rather than drive (plus once again trains not running) as it would go in a backpack. But whatever helps you quell your cognitive dissonance is fine. I hate cyclists blah blah blaaaaah (I really don’t!)
I won’t edit, as we know that
I won’t edit, as we know that’ll just lead to personal attacks and accusations of lying. But to add on the “I hate cycling” bollocks. The last few years I have cycled more miles than I’ve driven, including last year when a holiday to the Isle of Skye entailed about 1600 miles of driving. I don’t hate cycling or cyclists, far from it. I don’t like lumping myself in as a cyclist due to the embarrassing attitude of many who have to make it pretty much their identity.
Adam Sutton wrote:
Well you give a pretty good impression of someone who does, given that you spend a considerable amount of your time coming on a website dedicated to cycling and 90% of your posts are dedicated to whining and bitching about how crap cyclists are.
Poster has a history of
Poster has a history of writing anti cycling comments. Standard comment is to say they all jump red lights and ride on the pavement. Nothing constructive, so they take it to the next level.
Indeed – after several
Indeed – after several “benefit of doubts” I think just taking what they have been previously posting at literally rather than metaphorically tells you what credence to give it.
Of course as Rendel said perhaps they’re just an extremely unlucky 10% of the stats.
That doesn’t mean that people with disabilities may not have had problems from people on bikes (with or without disabilities… oh, let’s not go there too!) and certainly if you’re not on a bike someone riding antisocially around you can feel extremely unpleasant. (Some local scrotes riding bikes at me / taking swings at people on the cycle paths come to mind – and I was on a bike myself at the time).
Mmmhmmm.
Mmmhmmm.
More broadly – are “cyclists”
More broadly – are “cyclists” a thing? Mostly no – that’s just out-grouping. However I don’t think it’s controversial to say that in the UK currently the demographics of “people on bikes” are not identical to those of the general population. This is unlike places with mass cycling e.g. Scandinavia or NL, where – with some details – everyone cycles.
In the UK it’s still more “the fit and the brave”. And probably “the poor and the environmentally conscious” and … the bloody-minded. And yes – some antisocial types. Whether there are more of the latter end than you’d find not on bikes I don’t know. I imagine if you’re into crime though you’d want to upgrade to powered transport…
If we were serious about fixing things for those with disabilities or there were actually safety issues with cycling* there are some really obvious things to tackle (outside from demanding “police this menace” or banning cycling…):
a) Rationalising the rules about what constitutes a mobility aid and where they can be used.
b) Safe space for cycling / wheeling / mobility vehicles – separate from motor traffic where speeds and/or volumes are high, and separate from the footway where there will be more than a handful of cyclists or pedestrians.
Oddly despite the occasional loud noises this doesn’t seem to be a priority for Parliament / the media / local authorities.
* Although we’re content to ignore some of those with motor vehicles which cause a lot more casualties, so…
Well, they got seventeen
Well, they got seventeen responses, including this one, so I guess they got what they wanted.