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Thread ID: 114128	2010-11-18 21:16:00	Idiots on two wheels	Zippity (58)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1154475	2010-11-19 22:09:00	Or with even more wheels than just four for that matter.	Snorkbox (15764)
1154476	2010-11-19 22:13:00	There will always be idiots! It takes two people to cause a conflict and the most likey outcome is an avoidable collision that ends up severly injuring or killing someone. btw, the photo in my earlier post dont show up unless you click it.	coldfront (15814)
1154477	2010-11-19 22:19:00	I admire the guts of these cyclists who travel on roads they are a bit like ww2 Bomber Command aircrew. Sooner or later some of them will get killed by death its a numbers game. I would guess around half and its only a wild guess of motorists really dont want cyclists on the road to inconvience them and dont care if a cyclist gets snotted off his bike and transferred to the morgue.	prefect (6291)
1154478	2010-11-19 22:26:00	There are also idiots in/on four wheels. :) Or with even more wheels than just four for that matter. And they outnumber (and out-weigh) cyclists 10:1. Actually, I've said in another thread some time ago - and I still stand by it - the cyclists you see behaving idiotically on two wheels are highly likely to behave in a similar manner when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle (crashing red lights, holding up traffic, making a turn without looking etc). And the sociopathic (psychopathic?) frothing-at-the-mouth motor vehicle drivers that have a bee in their bonnets about ALL cyclists, are probably more likely than most to be involved in a road rage incident following a minor infraction. As coldfront says above, there will always be idiots - unfortunately you can't legislate for that (well you can, but that's getting into the realm of eugenics :) - and that won't solve today's problems).	johcar (6283)
1154479	2010-11-19 22:54:00	Seems to be more of a problem because of the we must have a car attitude and New Zealands pre occupation of allowing 15 year olds behind the wheel of the car before they have had a chance to learn road rules and survival on a bicycle or even motorcycle . Instead at 15 we cacoon them in a metal box and make them think they are masters of the road . Looks like the French are adopting an interesting ploy to introduce the common courtesy to other road users thats gone missing in recent years . CYCLISTS and pedestrians have been given new rights over cars in a series of changes to the highway code in France . The rules, which take immediate effect, mean pedestrians now always have priority over cars when crossing a road . Until now, they had priority only at specially designated crossings . They need to "show a clear intention to cross" a road - described as "an ostensible step forward or a hand gesture" - and vehicles are required to stop for them . The only exception is where a designated pedestrian crossing is less than 50m away . Drivers who ignore the rules face a fine of €135 or could lose four points from their licence . The new rules also allow bicycles to skip red lights if they are turning right, but only at crossroads where there is a sign to that effect . It will be up to individual mayors to decide where this should be allowed . Note how it comes into effect with immediate effect rather than the pussy footing years to change policy adopted in this country aka Driving age, Right turn rulle etc .	coldfront (15814)
1154480	2010-11-19 23:31:00	The pedestrian-crossing-a-road-and-halting-traffic worked well in the US to when I was there many years ago. Step out onto a road even when approaching vehicles were still in the distance had the drivers jumping on the brakes (and horns, often) and coming to a complete stop. But that is possibly more related to the the "civil suit" environment than a legal requirement.... :) But I agree, if the French can implement NOW, why can't the NZ government do the same: for drink-driving limits, for left hand turn give way, for greater rights for more vulnerable road users (including pedestrians and motorcyclists)??? The answer is probably because they are too set in their ways: everything must go to public consultation, through umpty-dozen interminable committees until it comes out the other end looking nothing like it did when it went into the process.	johcar (6283)
1154481	2010-11-20 00:27:00	You know what I dislike, the fact that cyclists are happy to think they have the right to ride on the road with cars and yet as soon as some one points out they could ride on the footpath with pedestrians they act as though it would be impossible, if they are not willing (and know how annoying it would be to ride with pedestrians) then why should they think they should ride with cards instead. I think a lot of the anger at cyclists stems from the fact that most drivers are scared ******** of the fact that they might drive around a corner on a road like scenic drive and run smack bang into two twits riding abreast in the middle of the lane.	Fifthdawn (9467)
1154482	2010-11-20 00:27:00	The Sh`ell be right attitude at its best	coldfront (15814)
1154483	2010-11-20 01:58:00	You know what I dislike, the fact that cyclists are happy to think they have the right to ride on the road with cars and yet as soon as some one points out they could ride on the footpath with pedestrians they act as though it would be impossible, if they are not willing (and know how annoying it would be to ride with pedestrians) then why should they think they should ride with cards instead . I think a lot of the anger at cyclists stems from the fact that most drivers are scared ******** of the fact that they might drive around a corner on a road like scenic drive and run smack bang into two twits riding abreast in the middle of the lane . What? And compete with slow-moving and unpredictable pedestrians? Have you ever walked up Queen Street when you've been in a hurry? Or on any footpath (note, it's even called a footpath) . People stop without warning, change direction without warning and suddenly veer into a shop doorway without warning . Put fast travelling bikes in that mix and you're just asking for trouble . Or try to predict which driveway a car is going to back out of next, while you're barrelling along at 30km/h plus on bike on a footpath? And don't retort with "You shouldn't be riding at that speed!" - modern bikes can do 80km/h plus (with the right leg muscles pushing the pedals) - just watch the Tour de France or the Tour of Southland . Recreational riders can easily do 30-45km/h on the flat . And you can't get fit (or get to work on time, or lose weight) riding at 8-10km/h . . . And the statement "cyclists are happy to think they have the right to ride on the road with cars" is factually incorrect . Cyclists actually DO have the right to ride on the road with cars . It's enshrined in law . And bikes have been around as long, if not longer, than cars . And yes, more drivers SHOULD be scared shitless that they might come round a blind corner and be unable to react in time to what was hiding round that corner (irrespective of what the hazard might be) . Perhaps if they did, driving standards in NZ would rise above a third world standard . It's called defensive driving - driving as if everyone else on the road is an idiot, which a lot of the time is perfectly true . But you are right, the anger directed at cyclists is because people are scared of their unpredictability (of direction, generally) . Even more reason just to back off and give them room .	johcar (6283)
1154484	2010-12-07 19:57:00	There was an item on Closeup on cyclists on Monday night and it showed you these cars coming out of a driveway which had to cross a cycleway/footpath before they got to the road. A group of cyclists got up to the driveway and the cars just kept on coming and one of the cyclists thumped his fist down on one of the bonnets of one of the cars. The car slowed down a bit but kept on going. How many motor vehicle drivers and I'm one of them don't realize that you have to giveway to pedestrians and cyclist when you are crossing a footpath/cycleway coming out of a driveway whether they are on your left side or right side. I was riding my bike past a Firth concrete place which the trucks have to cross a cycleway/footpath when coming out. I was riding past one day and I forced a truck to stop to let me by and when I got passed the driver had the cheek too yell out, learn your roadrules mate or something along those lines. :)	Trev (427)
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