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Road rage and training riders
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As Pavel Brutt showed some serious strength in keep away rivals to take Stage 5 of the Giro, Mike reflects on the alleged road rage attack by a driver on a group of cyclists, which included 2005 German training crash survivor Kate Nichols.
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Podcast: video highlights of every stage of the 2008 Giro d'Italia
I dare say not!
This was another incident waiting to happen.
For those of us who rise in the early hours several days a week to experience the joy of the bunch ride - the confrontation between motorist and cyclists is nothing new.
It happens all the time, but who is to blame?
It's like oil and water - a car and and a bike on the same piece of road just doesn't mix!
As a recreational cyclist myself, who loves to get out on a regular basis, I get fed-up with the lack of tolerance, patience and respect from motorists who completely ignore our rights on the road.
But as a motorist also, there have been times when I've been left shaking my head when behind the wheel of my car at the antics of some of the two-wheeled warriors who also completely ignore the laws of the road.
So there are good and bad on both sides.
I'd say 99 per cent of bike riders in Australia obey the road rules and genuinely try to avoid upsetting motorists.
When you ride a bike on Sydney roads, you take your life into your own hands.
The sheer size of Australia's biggest city, the geography and endless flow of heavy traffic simply makes it awkward for parties from both sides to share the busy roads.
I believe part of the problem for the "us and them" attitude between drivers and riders stems from the Critical Mass group.
Why these cyclists aim to disrupt Friday night peak-hour traffic in a bid to get their message across has me scratching my head.
This is a classic example to the reasons motorists have no affinity with bike riders.
Surely there must be other ways to protest!
If respect from motorists is a requirement then I'm all for paying an annual registration fee.
I understand this is a scenario that doesn't sit well with many cyclists.
With these taxes more road space could be spared and sharing the roads wouldn't be such an issue.
At a time when the sale of bicycles out-number that of motor cars and as governments from all levels continue to encourage us to ride our bikes on a regular basis, perhaps a better education programme is needed.
At the same time drivers should be encouraged to regularly refresh their knowledge of road rules.
If anything positive has come out of last week's incident it's the awareness from the publicity generated.
Cyclists ride the roads with next-to-no protection and therefore have much more to lose in a confrontation such as that.
It only takes one lunatic motorist from the millions of law abiding road users to have a brain explosion and create unnecessary carnage as was the case on Thursday last.
Let's lead by example - it's not worth losing your life over.
And let's not forget last highlights. Enjoy the racing, and respect each other on the roads.
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24 Jun 2008 23:23 AEST
From: Subiaco
What do you call that?
I was sitting at a café after a long ride. We sit outside in an effort not to offend other patrons. After having a quiet coffee, chat and a bit of a laugh we went to leave. The lady at the table next to us looked me in the face and said “I don’t like cyclists”. This dislike of cyclists goes beyond road use, it’s become a lifestyle choice thingy.
24 Jun 2008 4:29 AEST
From: Fremantle
its not about the bike, its the attitude
I did a sort of Critical Mass ride once, a protest ride of 200 cyclists along Mounts Bay Rd back in '82 for want of a bikepath. We got it and there ended the need for protest. What is CM achieving now and by regular meets? Perth has some of the rudest and unskilled drivers in Australia and some of them own bikes. Yes we all need to be more polite and follow the road rules but sometimes a tap on a car window at traffic lights and a patient explanation of the why and what of sharing the road works
23 Jun 2008 11:00 AEST
From: Melbourne
Townsville - rednecks
Townsville is a redneck city! It epitomises everything wrong with some sections of Australian society - non-respect for cyclists is just the tip of the iceberg in that part of the world.
22 Jun 2008 19:45 AEST
From: Melbourne
Country Bikin
I used to think that Melbourne drivers were pretty ignorant of cyclists until I spent a year in Townsville. For some reason drivers there cannot bear to wait behind a rider to make a left turn. Perhaps its a matter of pride or perhaps they think it's courteous to race ahead of cyclists and turn left in from of them, but four times in a month I had to brake damn hard to avoid T-boning cars or disappearing underneath trucks. Bless em.
21 Jun 2008 16:37 AEST
From: St Leonards
The truth
You miss the point. The dislike for cyclists who participate Critical Mass is the bone of my objection. Why 5pm on a Friday across the Bridge - the busiest stretch of road in Australia? You win no friends and give cycling and cyclists a bad name. This is the reason for the "us and them" mentaility that people speak of. By all means protest but do it on the weekend.
21 Jun 2008 11:11 AEST
From: Asquith
It's all about ME
Perhaps unwittingly, Lincoln from St Leonards probably best sums up the problem in Sydney and arguably the whole of Australia; it's all about ME. Get out of MY way seems to be the mantra perpetually uttered en-route by the typical Sydney driver. Take a look around and see what as selfish bunch of individuals we've become.
20 Jun 2008 17:11 AEST
From: Wenty
Lincoln
Hey Lincoln...how about you shut the hell up.... what other time do you expect cyclists to train...if you hadn't noticed these guys that were cycling were olympians...and besides they have every right to be on the road..so you can just sit there and be later home...beucase honestly mate...us cyclists really dont care
13 Jun 2008 22:13 AEST
From: Manly
Critical Mass
I hate those critical mass riders - they represent a traffic jam and do nothing to promote cycling and the environment.
13 Jun 2008 21:24 AEST
From: Windsor
Its assault with a deadly weapon!!
That guy who drove his car in to that training bunch in Sydney should be charged withATTEMPTED MURDER! and those childish shock jocks who give cyclists bad press should be charged under our anti vilification laws.
06 Jun 2008 18:43 AEST
From: Orange
Odd Galahs stir the pot
I enjoy social riding and commuting even in the cold weather. When riding I treat every car as being driven by a homcidal maniac with a personal vendetta against me, it has kepy me alive. Imagine my great disappointment when whilr driving I come up to a cyclist riding on a narrow section of roadway which precluded overtaking, 5 meters to the side was a dedicated cycle path. OH DEAR Im fighting against fellow cyclists as well as ignorant drivers.
31 May 2008 11:53 AEST
From: Haberfield
Critical Mass Morons
Here, here. I am a an environmentalist who supports and encourages the use of bicycles at all times, but I strongly disagree with the motif of Critical Mass. Why organise a bunch ride duing a working day at peak hour? I am a greenie too, but I concur with those who describe you people as moronic! There's a time and place for everything and this is not one of them. Allow whose who choose to travel home after a day's work a peaceful and uniterrupted journey in their cars.
30 May 2008 23:47 AEST
From: Beaumont Hills
Critical Mass Riders are morons!
Mike, you can't blame the critical mass morons for the us and them attitude. Blame councils and governments for lack of foresight, infrastructure and education (oh yes and the odd cyclist like me who occasionally uses his middle finger to let drivers know when they get too close). By the way Linley, if its not a protest why don't you morons do it on the weekend and out of peak traffic. I wouldn't be caught dead in that bunch!
30 May 2008 2:32 AEST
From: Port Macquarie
More teeth for Road Rage Crime
Haveing been the subject of a visiting Sydney driver's attention (or lack there of) who felt that he had greater right to the lane that I occupied than I did, resulting in me being knocked down; I think that more extensive "Driver Awareness" programmes should be part of public safety advertisemants. I have over the years had things thrown at me, been swerved at, verbaly abused, even chased and threatened. Some of the greatest offenders have been red "P" platers and 4 wheel drive vehicles.
29 May 2008 22:14 AEST
From: Rostrevor
Bicycle Lanes are needed
I ride to work through Adelaide's CBD and the amount of times the bicycle lane disappears is too numerous to count. Australians are a fair lot. When there is a bicycle lane, 99% of motorists treat cyclists as road users, but when the lane ends, it's cyclists who are treated as trespassers. This is because the road have been planned and build without consideration for cyclist. I know without a doubt bicycle lanes without end, continuing through intersections, etc will provide a sensible solution
29 May 2008 21:48 AEST
From: Edge Hill
It's a shame
I ride 6 days a week - on my bike by 5.50am - too dangerous after that.. No matter how we feel as bike riders we all have to remeber that if it comes to our bike verses a car/truck/motorbike, we will lose. Sure some of the drivers are stupid but don't lose your life over it. Ride defensively and be safe.
27 May 2008 23:33 AEST
From: Brisbane
all drivers to ride bikes for at least a year before getting car license
Educating drivers to respect bike riders (both cyclists and motorbikes) can be easily fixed by making everyone ride a bike before they drive a car. Start educating kids at school, as part of 'social studies', with tests on riding skills and road knowledge each year. People will be more ready when they go for a driver’s license. Everyone will have more empathy and patience for other road uses. It works in Asia and Northern European countries, so apply it hear, what have we got to lose.
27 May 2008 23:07 AEST
From: Prahran
But why ?
I can't understand these vicious, aggressive attitudes towards cyclists from seemingly normal people. It must be the expression of deeply seated feelings of impotency and guilt.
27 May 2008 22:56 AEST
From: Windsor
The truth
I used to think that I was cool, driving around on fossil fuel, till I found what I was doin,was driving down the road to ruin... damm those cyclists, make me feel greedy, lazy and fat !!!
20 May 2008 15:52 AEST
From: Greenwood
The 80/20 Rule Of Idiots.
You are always going to get idiots out there who's job it is is to be just that... idiots. No amount of education or extra safety rules is going to change that. That's Life.. I take a more proactive approach when i complete my weekly 400km training rides. ALWAYS OBEY ROAD RULES. (Without exception) Schedule your rides at a time when there are the least amount of idiots on the road. Take every spray of abuse that comes from an idiots moving vehicle as feedback. Most of all have Faith.
18 May 2008 8:01 AEST
From: GoldCoast
Motorists Education
If state Transport Authorities included half a dozen questions about road rules for cyclists on ALL drivers licence tests, then you may find that drivers would be more educated about the rights of all road users, basic safety requirements and driving courtesy. Education is the key to better understanding and empathy for all.
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About this Blog
Stay in touch with the ProTour road cycling season with SBS's cycling blog, featuring race reports, video highlights and blog coverage of every race of 2008, as well as details of SBS's racing coverage.
Mike Tomalaris is SBS's cycling presenter, who has covered the Tour de France for 12 years. Mike is a keen cyclist himself, and covers a few hundred kilometres a week in a social weekend bunch ride. For cycling fans around Australia, Mike Tomalaris is cycling.
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