Page 2 of 10

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:57 pm
by joshnh
Calling the report "Cyclists vs. Motorists" doesn't help the issue.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:27 am
by il padrone
I mostly just get out on the road and ride. When I'm commuting I am just trying to get through any traffic as safely as possible, following the road rules, and get to work. I don't see any cyclists V motorists issue - all road users are just out there, going about their business.

'Crazy motorists' usually come about from two sources 1. crazy cyclists, and 2. whimpering gutter-hugging cyclists. Assertive but responsible riding is what prevents the crazy motorist scenario, in my experience.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:44 am
by VRE
il padrone wrote:I mostly just get out on the road and ride. When I'm commuting I am just trying to get through any traffic as safely as possible, following the road rules, and get to work. I don't see any cyclists V motorists issue - all road users are just out there, going about their business.

'Crazy motorists' usually come about from two sources 1. crazy cyclists, and 2. whimpering gutter-hugging cyclists. Assertive but responsible riding is what prevents the crazy motorist scenario, in my experience.
Reduces, not prevents. I ride very assertively, predictably and confidently, but it doesn't stop impatient motorists from doing silly things, only reduces the occurrences.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:28 am
by marinmomma
il padrone wrote:I mostly just get out on the road and ride. When I'm commuting I am just trying to get through any traffic as safely as possible, following the road rules, and get to work. I don't see any cyclists V motorists issue - all road users are just out there, going about their business.

'Crazy motorists' usually come about from two sources 1. crazy cyclists, and 2. whimpering gutter-hugging cyclists. Assertive but responsible riding is what prevents the crazy motorist scenario, in my experience.

Riding in an assertive manner didn't stop my recent run-in with a cyclist hater motorist, in fact I believe that the recent use of 'war on the roads' by Ch 7 news in Brisbane followed by more cyclist hater/rego rubbish a couple of days later by a local FM station has incited this attitude of war on the roads.

If I'd been riding in 'gutter hugging' mode, I might not be here to tell the story.

The media really needs to take a good hard look at it's methods...dreaming, yes I know :roll:

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:43 am
by Percrime
The media is all about the right to say what they like... and nothing about responsibility. They accept no responsibility for outcomes. I can think of a million examples... but just to put one out there, clearly they have escalated road rage incidents and clearly therefore been morally responsible for a few deaths. Does anyone here actually doubt that? Its disgusting.

I can think of 2 journo's I actually still have some respect for. Both are at least 70.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:04 am
by g-boaf
il padrone wrote:I mostly just get out on the road and ride. When I'm commuting I am just trying to get through any traffic as safely as possible, following the road rules, and get to work. I don't see any cyclists V motorists issue - all road users are just out there, going about their business.

'Crazy motorists' usually come about from two sources 1. crazy cyclists, and 2. whimpering gutter-hugging cyclists. Assertive but responsible riding is what prevents the crazy motorist scenario, in my experience.
If someone hates bicycle riders - then your strategy won't work. They will still be able to run you over or throw bottles at you, or otherwise close shave you when they overtake.

I'm not going to say more on that issue as it will stir up a hornets nest.

I will however note the forum user recently trying to get people to take part in a media story. And that I warned of the risks back then. And here we can see my warning was right. One person already affected - their video footage used without permission.



Percrime: I think a few people here secretly get a big kick out of stories like this and like the anguish and hatred these stories generate.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:18 am
by jcjordan
It still amazes me how much amosity there is between the two parties in Brisbane.

Having ridden in every capital city in Australia (except Perth) I have never seen this level of conflict.

I have only been to Brisbane once and my guide did point out that we needed to careful and avoid main streets.

The one difference I can think of is the lack of on road infrastructure. I wonder if that is part of the problem?

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Tapatalk 4

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:35 am
by il padrone
jcjordan wrote:It still amazes me how much amosity there is between the two parties in Brisbane.

Having ridden in every capital city in Australia (except Perth) I have never seen this level of conflict.
+1

I've ridden in every city except Brisbane. I've never struck the sort of blatant aggression that g-boaf describes. The prospect of some crazy driver simply running me down when I'm riding responsibly on the road just does not enter into my thinking. Certainly having returned recently from Italian roads, it would be inconceivable over there!

I guess it all comes down to the simple fact - it's Queensland :P

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:45 am
by jules21
AUbicycles wrote:I am pretty disgusted to see them promote this segment as "Cyclists are coackroaches of the Road" - a statement from Darren Hinch. While this is a statement true to the character, quality and class of Darren Hinch - it is pure sensationalism.

In your case Cowcorner, I agree with trailgumby and for them to publicise your footage without permission demonstrates the quality.
i don't want to be an apologist for ch.7, but i'm a bit confused why you would give them footage that you didn't want them to show? surely the reason they asked for it was to use it?

i've been interviewed before and it's done in a real rush - they have tight deadlines and it all goes off to an editing team, etc. you can't expect them to put an embargo on your footage. if that's what they promised, then i agree it's on them to uphold it - that's very clear, but i can't say i'm surprised they broke that promise.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:09 am
by g-boaf
il padrone wrote:
jcjordan wrote:It still amazes me how much amosity there is between the two parties in Brisbane.

Having ridden in every capital city in Australia (except Perth) I have never seen this level of conflict.
+1

I've ridden in every city except Brisbane. I've never struck the sort of blatant aggression that g-boaf describes. The prospect of some crazy driver simply running me down when I'm riding responsibly on the road just does not enter into my thinking. Certainly having returned recently from Italian roads, it would be inconceivable over there!

I guess it all comes down to the simple fact - it's Queensland :P
I'm Sydney - and it happens here too. I don't say much about it as it is just accepted and that's the way it is. Otherwise you become the proverbial Lycra wearing pansy cyclist with a deluded sense of entitlement.

You just have to accept that motorists have a right to kill you. The media says so by their reinforcement if these stereotypes by allowing aggressive user comments on articles, etc.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:11 am
by lobstermash
g-boaf wrote:And remember some Holden workers might be cyclists too.
I used to live in 'Lisbef (Elizabeth) and I can tell you it'd take serious balls to ride anywhere in the mid-outer north. I did a 6 month stint at a components factory and commuted by bike for 2 weeks before getting a car instead. The last straw, after many near misses and daily abuse, was wearing a half-eaten sausage mcmuffin thrown from an unregistered and apparently stolen vehicle (so the police told me) full of drugged up teenagers. While there are some nice people who work at Holden, the area really is the final frontier and people regularly get fired for repeat hoon driving offences as they leave the factory gates.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:26 am
by jcjordan
I am from Adelaide and it's a general rule that nothing human lives north of Main North Road ;-)

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Tapatalk 4

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:28 am
by lobstermash
I now live in one of the dodgier parts of Canberra, and it's like heaven here in comparison!

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:35 am
by jules21
lobstermash wrote:I used to live in 'Lisbef (Elizabeth) and I can tell you it'd take serious balls to ride anywhere in the mid-outer north. I did a 6 month stint at a components factory and commuted by bike for 2 weeks before getting a car instead. The last straw, after many near misses and daily abuse, was wearing a half-eaten sausage mcmuffin thrown from an unregistered and apparently stolen vehicle (so the police told me) full of drugged up teenagers. While there are some nice people who work at Holden, the area really is the final frontier and people regularly get fired for repeat hoon driving offences as they leave the factory gates.
there is sociological(?) research that concludes the fabric of society breaks down as social inequality grows. that is no more true than in poor, working class areas inhabited by shift workers who are treated as human robots (apologies if i'm offending anyone here). research claims these people are angry at society which breeds fat cats who drive BMWs and live in big houses, while they live hand-to-mouth. cyclists are heavily reliant on the fabric of society for the goodwill shown by motorists towards us on the road..

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:36 am
by dclnmurray
lobstermash wrote:
g-boaf wrote:And remember some Holden workers might be cyclists too.
I used to live in 'Lisbef (Elizabeth) and I can tell you it'd take serious balls to ride anywhere in the mid-outer north. I did a 6 month stint at a components factory and commuted by bike for 2 weeks before getting a car instead. The last straw, after many near misses and daily abuse, was wearing a half-eaten sausage mcmuffin thrown from an unregistered and apparently stolen vehicle (so the police told me) full of drugged up teenagers. While there are some nice people who work at Holden, the area really is the final frontier and people regularly get fired for repeat hoon driving offences as they leave the factory gates.
I have done a lot of commuting in various cities and never come across any abuse or been shouted at. I have a road bike and wear various outfits but I am guessing some cyclists may attract abuse more than others, don't know.

Sydney
From Waverton, over Harbour Bridge, Domain, Double Bay, Rose Bay and onto Watsons Bay (HMAS Watson) and return. Did this for a whole year (5 days a week).

Adelaide
I worked at British Aerospace (DSTO) site next to Elizabeth RAAF base for 3 years. My Commute was from Tea Tree Gully, down Kings Road, onto Salisbury Hwy and left into Waterloo Road to the base and back each day.

Brisbane
In recent years (last 3) and what I currently do now, I have been commuting from Eight Mile Plains into Brissie, over Story Bridge and through New Farm to work near Breakfast Creek Hotel. Again, no abuse at all. Admittedly out of the 23km's each way 20km's is on bike tracks so that does limit the ability to interact with drivers but the roads around Newstead/Newfarm are always quite busy.

Guess I have been one of the lucky ones :)

PS I also never get attacked by Magpies, so definitely blessed :D

Dave

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:53 am
by lobstermash
jules21 wrote: there is sociological(?) research that concludes the fabric of society breaks down as social inequality grows. that is no more true than in poor, working class areas inhabited by shift workers who are treated as human robots (apologies if i'm offending anyone here). research claims these people are angry at society which breeds fat cats who drive BMWs and live in big houses, while they live hand-to-mouth. cyclists are heavily reliant on the fabric of society for the goodwill shown by motorists towards us on the road..
Perhaps, though I'm pretty sure that drugs have a large part to play.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 7:31 pm
by Laidlaym
AUbicycles wrote:I am pretty disgusted to see them promote this segment as "Cyclists are coackroaches of the Road" - a statement from Darren Hinch. While this is a statement true to the character, quality and class of Darren Hinch - it is pure sensationalism.
..............
I guess they have has to resort to Hinch now that Bruce Ruxton is dead.

Mark

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:09 pm
by ldrcycles
il padrone wrote:
jcjordan wrote:It still amazes me how much amosity there is between the two parties in Brisbane.

Having ridden in every capital city in Australia (except Perth) I have never seen this level of conflict.
+1

I've ridden in every city except Brisbane. I've never struck the sort of blatant aggression that g-boaf describes. The prospect of some crazy driver simply running me down when I'm riding responsibly on the road just does not enter into my thinking. Certainly having returned recently from Italian roads, it would be inconceivable over there!

I guess it all comes down to the simple fact - it's BRISBANE :P
FTFY :) . I live on the Sunshine Coast and have ridden around the Darling Downs, GC hinterland as well and very VERY rarely have any sort of issue with cars, I can't remember ever having something thrown at me and have only once had a car deliberately close shave me. I only get the odd yell from a bogan (maybe 5 or 6 times a year if that) and occasionally have a vehicle pass a bit closer than i'd like. I can still count on one hand the incidents of cars failing to give way or cutting in front.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:24 pm
by London Boy
g-boaf wrote:
Cowcorner wrote:OK guys - I need some serious advice here. I hate to say it but I was one of those naive enough to provide some footage for this. One of the pieces I provided was my accident earlier this year that I specifically asked the producer not to run without clearing it with me first - the reason being that BV were still following this up with the police on my behalf (as their initial response was not to charge the driver). This footage has never been cleared by me but I have noticed it is being used in the promo. What are my options here?
They'll probably try to claim fair use.
That is not part of the law in Australia. There is a fair dealing exception for the purposes of:
-research or study,
-criticism or review,
-parody or satire,
-reporting news,
-professional advice by a legal practitioner.

It is hardly reporting news, it is not study, it is not parody. Criticism? Not in the sense meant.

So all you have to do is assert your rights and tell them they do not have permission to use your material.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:58 pm
by Lukeyboy
Even if you do try to exercise your rights more times than not they'll get away with it due to a clause in copyright when it comes to reporting news.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:08 pm
by The 2nd Womble
il padrone wrote:
jcjordan wrote:It still amazes me how much amosity there is between the two parties in Brisbane.

Having ridden in every capital city in Australia (except Perth) I have never seen this level of conflict.
+1

I've ridden in every city except Brisbane. I've never struck the sort of blatant aggression that g-boaf describes. The prospect of some crazy driver simply running me down when I'm riding responsibly on the road just does not enter into my thinking. Certainly having returned recently from Italian roads, it would be inconceivable over there!

I guess it all comes down to the simple fact - it's Queensland :P
We're not all that bad...


















:roll: :lol:
Sorry, couldn't help myself

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:18 pm
by trailgumby
VRE wrote:
il padrone wrote:I mostly just get out on the road and ride. When I'm commuting I am just trying to get through any traffic as safely as possible, following the road rules, and get to work. I don't see any cyclists V motorists issue - all road users are just out there, going about their business.

'Crazy motorists' usually come about from two sources 1. crazy cyclists, and 2. whimpering gutter-hugging cyclists. Assertive but responsible riding is what prevents the crazy motorist scenario, in my experience.
Reduces, not prevents. I ride very assertively, predictably and confidently, but it doesn't stop impatient motorists from doing silly things, only reduces the occurrences.
Unfortunately I have to agree with VRE. There are crazy ones out there (fortunately rare) who use their cars as weapons. You'll remember IP when I was struck with intent mid December 2009.

This sort of trash media had been in the background for a few weeks beforehand. I'll be putting my cameras back on this week with this program looking like the start of another round.

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:45 am
by il padrone
OK. While I have ridden in Sydney it was only one day, commencing a tour and rding through the CBD then from Manly out through the northern beaches. And I did manage to score a couple of disturbingly close shaves.

So it seems that it may be mostly a Sydney and Brisbane thing that creates the crazed-driver phenomenon. Something about Rugby League culture?? The sub-tropical climate??

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:51 am
by trailgumby
On my non cycling visit to Melbourne a year and a half ago my impression was that the attitude towards cycling was much better. Or should I say less awful?

Re: The War on the Roads - TV - Sunday night

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:27 am
by Duck!
I live in a somewhat bogan area of Melbourne, where stereotypes would suggest I need a tank to ensure survival. However reading posts on another forum, it seems drivers in my area are a lot better than those in more "respectable" suburbs. Sure I get the occasional toot, close pass or "get on the (expletive) footpath!", but by & large it's pretty good.