Posts by Maz
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Hard News: When "common sense" isn't, in reply to Russell Brown,
That was what I meant, yes, for the reasons stated:
-will negatively affect participation
-will underscore the Them vs Us view
-says “Look, I’m a cyclist, I shouldn’t really be here, but wearing this kit sort of makes it ok for me to use your road, so could you maybe/possibly/please notice me and not run me over?”But, for the individual, if it makes you feel safe, if it gets you out on your bike, great! (edit: And RB, I too know people who would say that. But personal anecdotes are just that, and in the big picture only make sense in terms of getting people on their bikes. How many have had accidents because helmets provide a false sense of security; because motorists take less care around a helmet-wearing cyclist etc, these are things anecdotal evidence can't account for, but the research is out there).
I can live with the helmet, but I'd rather not, and I'm just trying to see the whole of the problem, not just the "obvious common sense".
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Hard News: When "common sense" isn't, in reply to Zach Bagnall,
Did you know that driving is more dangerous (in terms of serious head injury) pr km than cycling? That helmets for motorists would make a bigger difference than for cyclists (again, pr kilometre driven/cycled)?
Does that mean that motorists should wear helmets? No.
The "knee-jerk" comments you refer to may actually be informed opinions of those who know more about the issue.
To quote David Lynch, "The owls are not what they seem" -
Hard News: When "common sense" isn't, in reply to HORansome,
As is often the case, what seems reasonable and "common sense" for the individual, is not, once looking at the bigger picture.
Cycling is safer the more cyclists there are; Compulsory helmet use halved the number of cyclists in New Zealand, and hi-vis could significantly affect the growth - however modest - we're currently witnessing.
Helmets and hi-vis kit also reinforce the "them/us" issue, i.e. cyclists are seen as something apart, readily identifiable as different, rather than as normal people making their way from here to there. And it puts the onus on cyclists, letting motorists off the hook.
The fact is, that cycling IS safe, but poor (indeed mean-spirited) driving and stone-age infrastructure make it less safe. In countries such as The Netherlands and Denmark, where helmets are very rare and hi-vis unheard of, cycling accounts for 30-50+% of commuting, and serious accidents are very rare.
So if you feel safer wearing a helmet and hi-vis, fine, go ahead, but in the bigger scheme of things it is actually bad for cycling.BTW, most cycling helmets will do nothing for you in case of impact at realistic cycling speeds.
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Hard News: Staying Alive, in reply to Islander,
I did say, and mean, two abreast. Of course riders shouldn't take up the entire (half) road. As a driver and cyclist, however, I find being held up a heck of lot less infuriating than someone endangering my life with their careless/reckless driving.
And re driver training, the idea was for all drivers to go through professional training and real tests. I couldn't believe it when I sat my theoretical test for my NZ license, and the very friendly AA lady said, "oh, you can just buy a copy of the four different test sheets and practice on them, dear". I.e. you may not know a thing, but if you have half a memory, there you go.
Could we please start doing things right and not half-arsedly?
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Oh, and forgot to add, that riding two abreast is legal. And how many seconds does it add to your drive, patiently waiting for that safe opportunity to pass a group of riders? 10? 15 max?
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I'd like to comment on a few different issues raised here:
It sounds like some of you think that a few k's of cycle paths/lanes is all a city can afford or should be expected to provide. Growing up in Scandinavia, I've come to expect so much more, in fact separate bike paths with kerbs are the rule in Copenhagen, in the city as well as in the suburbs.
Yes, they cost money to establish, but pay for themselves very quickly and are worth it. It is the safe and civilized way to do things.And please, let's not trot out the old "cyclists only have themselves to blame, cause they don't follow the road code yada yada" line. For the non-believers, I urge you to pack a collapsable chair and make an excursion to any roundabout. Make yourselves comfortable and count the number of drivers indicating correctly (if at all). Yes, not many. Or, while driving, observe how often someone changes lanes or turns without indicating AND making sure no one is endangered or impeded. The list goes on.
From my experience, NZ is easily the scariest place to cycle and drive. I think a big reason is, that most Kiwis are taught to drive by their parents, who themselves were taught by their parents etc. Hence, bad habits are perpetuated.
It may be a hassle and much more expensive, but there is definitely something to be said for learning from a professional. Decades on, I still remember my instructor asking "did you check the mirror? Did you look back over your shoulder? Did you see that pedestrian approaching the crossing? Did you indicate 3 seconds before turning?
People can and will make mistakes on bikes. As drivers, our mistakes come at a much higher price. -
Please Islander, to paraphrase yourself: Could you just get into your carcentric head, that our roads (except motorways etc) are for all of us, and tourists, to use, and that we should be able to do so safely.
Next time you come across a cyclist or a pedestrian, try slowing down, giving way and giving a friendly wave. Both parties will benefit, and you will grow as a person.
Thank you, and have a nice day. -
Let's hope we do get that sudden shift in attitudes.
Eye contact, a friendly wave, a geeky thumbs up are all in my daily vocabulary when cycling, and hopefully the little actions of many will move, well not mountains but something.
Sorry Islander, but you are unfortunately wrong when it comes to Kiwi's attitudes to driving. The general friendliness and easy going nature down here is widely known, but on the road, that all goes out the window. Why? I don't know. People seem genuinely afraid that cyclists are taking something away from them.
I have driven a car and cycled in many different countries; All over Scandinavia and Europe, Africa, Indonesia, the US, Canada, Australia and NZ. No other place comes close to the aggression I've witnessed here. Even the mayhem of Indonesia was WAY friendlier and less intimidating than Wellington's roads.
Canada just makes you think you've died and gone to heaven. People insist on giving way to cyclists and other motorists.
And if you think you've been annoyed by stupid cyclists, I encourage you to commute by bike for a week in a city, following the road code to the letter, and see how happy or even alive that would leave you. The amount of times you'd experience something scary, dangerous or life threatening is in a completely different order of magnitude than the times a cyclist annoys you.
How would I know? I cycle 1 to 2 hours daily, but also drive 10000km yearly, getting to see things from both sides.
Better infrastructure, awareness, dialog and debat will hopefully bring about a change, the sooner the better.
Good to see so many positive contributions! -
Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one…, in reply to Lilith __,
Re helmets:
You are much more likely to sustain serious head injury driving a car without wearing a helmet, than you are cycling without a helmet. I know it sounds strange, and that you wouldn't get any motorists into a helmet, but it is true. And this is per capita and distance travelled.
Helmet safety is a myth, and hi-viz clothing isn't much better. It is all about awareness. The number of times I've been hit by motorists, who then burst out, "ooh, I didn't see you" (while I was wearing flouro orange and three flashing lights) is staggering.
David, sorry for the hi-jack. Very good article (oh, and I grew up in Copenhagen). -
Thank you all for the first reasonable discussion on this topic I've come across. I was beginning to think I was all alone out there.
I've been cycling for 45 years and have always loved it. I also drive a car, but I've yet to meet any of the "irresponsible, lycra-clad, antisocial, freeloading w@nkers" that I've read so much about. I have, however, on a daily basis had to fend for my life in the appaling Wellington traffic, and I've desperately close to quitting my job, selling the house and moving to somewhere civilised. It is just too demoralising and depressing dealing with the level of aggression and meanness here.
These people who were killed did not "ask for it" by riding a bicycle, and suggesting so is a terrible insult. Let's try to honour them by being more courteous in the traffic.
Maz