Cyclists victims of road rage - Roundabout - Beelair
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:58 am
TWO Coogee cyclists say there needs to be a better relationship between motorists and cyclists sharing WA streets after an aggressive driver targeted them.
Luke and Amy Banham were negotiating a Beeliar Drive roundabout on the afternoon of January 14 when they were swamped by a construction truck.
“Proceeding through the roundabout, sticking as far left as possible so as not to hold up traffic behind, the same truck came up behind us, swerved and beeped at Luke in front – his massive steel bull bar just nearly nudging the right shoulder of him as he passed,” Ms Banham said.
“Then a short distance up ahead, he stopped suddenly in the left lane knowing that we were behind him with cars approaching, an act that could have crushed us between the two vehicles.”
The pair jumped onto the verge to get out of the path of other cars before the driver got out of his vehicle and proceeded to abuse and gesture at Luke that he wanted to fight.
It was only after Luke jumped the centre median that he was safe....
Bicycle Network Australia founder Christopher Jones said while incidents like this generated a lot of interest in the cycling community, they were isolated.
“Most road users, I believe, are aware of the rights of cyclists though a small minority don’t respect this right,” Mr Jones said.
“The overwhelming majority of motorists as well as cyclists and other road users are considerate and respect one another on the road.
“That said there is plenty of room for improvement in the road to Australian society accepting cycling as part of our culture.”
Full article in the Fremantle Gazette
Not sure that I agree with Christopher's comments and frankly don't believe that Christopher is a position to speak on behalf of cyclists in WA. Pity that Bryce Luft didn't take the trouble to speak to those engaged in safety advocacy here in WA who have a much greater handle on the situation. For starters there have been concerns raised about roundabouts and roundabouts in this area ... none of this raised in the article.
Andrew
Luke and Amy Banham were negotiating a Beeliar Drive roundabout on the afternoon of January 14 when they were swamped by a construction truck.
“Proceeding through the roundabout, sticking as far left as possible so as not to hold up traffic behind, the same truck came up behind us, swerved and beeped at Luke in front – his massive steel bull bar just nearly nudging the right shoulder of him as he passed,” Ms Banham said.
“Then a short distance up ahead, he stopped suddenly in the left lane knowing that we were behind him with cars approaching, an act that could have crushed us between the two vehicles.”
The pair jumped onto the verge to get out of the path of other cars before the driver got out of his vehicle and proceeded to abuse and gesture at Luke that he wanted to fight.
It was only after Luke jumped the centre median that he was safe....
Bicycle Network Australia founder Christopher Jones said while incidents like this generated a lot of interest in the cycling community, they were isolated.
“Most road users, I believe, are aware of the rights of cyclists though a small minority don’t respect this right,” Mr Jones said.
“The overwhelming majority of motorists as well as cyclists and other road users are considerate and respect one another on the road.
“That said there is plenty of room for improvement in the road to Australian society accepting cycling as part of our culture.”
Full article in the Fremantle Gazette
Not sure that I agree with Christopher's comments and frankly don't believe that Christopher is a position to speak on behalf of cyclists in WA. Pity that Bryce Luft didn't take the trouble to speak to those engaged in safety advocacy here in WA who have a much greater handle on the situation. For starters there have been concerns raised about roundabouts and roundabouts in this area ... none of this raised in the article.
Andrew