12 replies to this topic

[Ponkey]

I know there are a number of keen and competitive road riders amongst us and I am interested in the new "suggested" road rules for when riding in a large group as highlighted in the SMH below.


SMH Article

Wear bright clothing. Leave MP3 players and mobile phones at home. Never ride more than two abreast. And never travel in packs of more than 20.

The comments readers are posting on the SMH website seem to make strong arguments both for and against although it seems the commuters amongst them differ to those who train and ride as a pack?.

Edited by Ponkey, 30 November 2009 - 04:34 PM.

[Sunset]

I do a bit of pack riding.

I agree with all those apart from the bright clothing thing. Does that mean fluros? Because I really don't think that is necessary if you are riding in a pack.

[FakePlasticTrees]

Ponkey, on Nov 30 2009, 04:29 PM, said:

[i]Leave MP3 players and mobile phones at home.

I'm shit scared most of the time I'm on the road. I've got no concept of how people can block out vital senses in this way whilst commuting on busy sydney streets.

Sunset, I think the fluro thing applies manly to solo riders. But it's good to be visible anyway.

[brewer]

I find cars give me more grief when I wear the fluro top than others. I don't often ride in a pack.

[EatEm]

This is just common sense ...

The regular group I ride with apply all these rules and more ... in fact if our group gets to big we will split into two and ride a few undred metres apart.

[rohan]

brewer, on Nov 30 2009, 08:10 AM, said:

I find cars give me more grief when I wear the fluro top than others. I don't often ride in a pack.

one guy on transitions reckoned he had the least problems when he used to wear "police credit union' kit.

[rodthehornet]

Ponkey, on Nov 30 2009, 05:29 PM, said:

Wear bright clothing. Leave MP3 players and mobile phones at home. Never ride more than two abreast. And never travel in packs of more than 20.

Surely this is a misquote. Not even a mention of leaving egos at home and obeying all road rules

[brewer]

I think that this article (SMH 01122009) has kinda hit the nail on the head.

Especially the bit about the small wheeled cases, they upset me.

[wobbly man]

I think that by comparison, cyclists running a red light mean a whole lot less danger to the general public than motorists who are running a red light. What gets the most publicity though, and why?

(nice link Ponkey/Brewer - for once a reasonable article)

[shotis]

A few years ago the Hell ride in Melbourne ran a red light an an elderly gent was hit and died after walking onto the road. If we as cyclists demand fair treatment from other road users, be they motorists, trucks, motorcyclists, and pedestrians then we MUST obey the rules. No objections.

[guff]

To me (a very occassional bicycle commuter, usually a car driver) the original article reads much like a warning to women that wearing skimpy clothing can lead to rape.
ie lessening or excusing the perpetrator's responsibilty by blaming the victim.

[wobbly man]

shotis, on Dec 2 2009, 05:52 PM, said:

A few years ago the Hell ride in Melbourne ran a red light an an elderly gent was hit and died after walking onto the road. If we as cyclists demand fair treatment from other road users, be they motorists, trucks, motorcyclists, and pedestrians then we MUST obey the rules. No objections.

Granted - and a very unfortunate and very sad incident. No question.

And (for what it is worth) yes ,I already do obey the road rules including red lights - without objections.

By comparison though, many more pedestrians and cyclists have been killed since that poor chap died on Beach Rd by car and truck drivers running red lights or breaking road rules. I just don't happen to think the level of press coverage and public outcry has been the same. The potential lethal outcome to a third party of a bicycle rider breaking the rules is far less - certainly not zero - but far less. Cyclists endanger their own lives (predominantly) by running reds, whereas motorists running reds endanger many more innocent lives with far more catastrophic outcomes. Its not right for anyone to run red lights but I reckon the press have it way out of perspective. Probably because it sells newspapers or rates well on tabloid TV shows...

[shotis]

Link to radio national radio program which takes a level headed responsible journalist approach to the issue.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefin...009/2758349.htm

This issue has a LONG way to go for a reasonable resolution.

Stay safe