Posts by Bryan Dods
-
Hard News: I'm not a "f***ing cyclist".…, in reply to Sacha,
"everyone else" - I used to use that with my parents as a teen.
If the driver/rider apportionment for accidents is about 75/25 as stated earlier it might indicate to some people that there is a problem with the way some cyclists use the road.
-
Are there many training programmes for riders in NZ? Have any readers attended them? Did they raise awareness?
Many car drivers carry bad habits from when they were taught to drive by bad drivers. They never rise above that level, possibly because they are unaware that there are higher levels.
Surveys show 85% of car drivers believe they are above average standard.Because riding a bike can be learned young and self-taught it is possible that there are riders that have a similar belief in their ability.
If bikes are on the road with other users it could only be of benefit to all if they had to pass a certain level of competence before they went out to tangle with the steel monsters.
I know it sounds like it would take away a freedom but it is a lot more dangerous out there than having a pedal around a park. -
Hard News: I'm not a "f***ing cyclist".…, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,
take off the ipods/ mp3players when cycling/ driving
I agree. Why impede one of the senses when involved in a high risk task.
-
Lisa,
I thought I said they wanted to be treated equally. Isn’t that the crux of the matter.
I know they have legal rights.I still think testing and registration would be of overall benefit to cyclists as far as raising their status with other users goes.
Anyway, playing any sort of devil’s advocate on the subject of cyclists only invites trouble.
I am pleased to see that the ridiculous chicane has been eased by removing four parks from the bend in question.
Have a nice weekend people. Oh!, and happy cycling.
-
Hard News: I'm not a "f***ing cyclist".…, in reply to Sacha,
Sacha,
The behaviour of a cyclist has never caused injury or death of a driver?
Matthew gives statistics that show cyclists don't even cause their own deaths.
They're almost perfect then - except for an ability to discuss the issue without getting emotion involved.
-
Asserting that there is or ought to be a level playing field between light bikes and heavy cars is perfectly consistent with neoliberal looniness.
Sorry? The general theme here seemed to be cyclists being entitled to equal rights as road-users. I was just pointing out some of the inequalities such as ACC, and throw road tax in there too, if you like.
I was not suggesting that there ought to be a level playing field. I was questioning why so many cyclists think there should be.
The roading network has developed for faster and heavier transport. It is also funded by the users of faster and heavier transport. It just happens to have enabled cyclists to travel faster and easier than before. Not necessarily safer, but the cycle is an unstable design anyhow.
Incumbent/recline/feet forward design anyone? -
Hard News: I'm not a "f***ing cyclist".…, in reply to Matthew Poole,
So how about we call it quits on the ACC thing?
So how does the fairly recent leap in motorcycle ACC levy fit? Health benefits, exercise, and lower polution can all be applied to that form of transport. I think that most multi-vehicle crashes involving them are the car drivers fault too, from my observation.
I was certainly not trying to excuse car drivers. At least two wheelers require both hands on the controls most of the time. I have seen drivers without either hand on the wheel all too often. (what are those dicks steering with?)
Modern cars are so isolated from the environment that the sense of risk is reduced. Hence the slightly reckless driving styles.The general level of training in NZ is not high.
I was fortunate to have some training in the Roadcraft system as taught to UK police drivers. The instructor roasted me for my youthful ways and brought me down to earth with quite a thump.
It has saved me from danger more than I could possibly count.
If only we had that level of education available for new drivers in NZ. -
Whoops. That was supposed to be a general comment. Not really a reply to R.B.
-
Hard News: I'm not a "f***ing cyclist".…, in reply to Russell Brown,
Education is needed for motorists and cyclists, and let us not forget motorcyclists, so that all parties can appreciate the difficulties that can be caused to one another.
Perhaps to moderate the behaviour of some of the fools I have encountered on bicycles they should all have a registration/identity plate.This might encourage cyclists to think of their responsibilities to other road users. Two abreast on main highways for example. Slower vehicles of any type should not impede traffic flow, and some cyclists can be very slow at times.
And if cyclists want even treatment perhaps we can look at an ACC levy for such a dangerous form of travel.As a disclaimer; I like all three forms of transport mentioned and I am not trying to rile cyclists in particular, but I do see some bad examples regarding personal safety. In the end comes down to the rider's responsibility for his own survival. In many accidents the blame can be apportioned to both parties.
-
As a very occasional poster to PAS,you do need to know that we treat each other with a bit more courtesy around here.
Oh yeah? I don't see that Peter grower has been any less courteous than one or two of the long-term posters have been in the past.
The comment was aimed directly at Tom's broad sweeping comments about cannabis users. Generalisations such as Tom's are the real insult.