nezumi wrote:I had an interesting one last night - I pulled up
here, and I was on the right hand line of the bike lane but in the bike box. The left turn arrow went green, I looked behind me, saw that the car had its indicator on so I gestured for the car to go through. Two cars pass through, next one is turning right, so holds up.
As the light for through traffic goes green I start to move off and have another cyclist come around from my right, cut straight in from of me and mount the footpath to go up Exhibition St, mouthing off about something as he does so.
As a positive, I made a comment about this to the rider behind me (rider2) at the next lights and the guy behind him (rider3) asked about the law regarding riding on footpaths. I gave a quick rundown of when you can and can't (under 12 or accompanying someone under 12, special dispensation or where it is signposted as a shared path). Unfortunately after listening intently rider3 proceeded to say "yeah, but if you do it in the outer suburbs it's not like they'll book you" then rode on the footpath along Victoria St to get to Nicholson. Oh well!
I've used that intersection a couple of times recently (it's not on my normal commute and I'm going to keep it that way). The placement of the bike lane and bike box in front of a lane that has a left turn arrow is so dumb. If traffic management want a separate left turn arrow then put the bike lane and bike box on the right of the left/right hook turning lane. Not that that is a bike lane coming up to that intersection anyway as the City of Melbourne has so kindly pointed out, more a 'filter lane' for bikes to get to the badly placed bike box.
I wouldn't stress too much about the dumb cyclist who turned left over you to get onto the left-side footpath (it took me a bit to try and work out that scenario) mouthing off at you as there is no conceivable thing you would have done wrong in that situation. Maybe he was saying "Passing!"
His actions were definitely dumb.
As for hopping on the footpath from Victoria to Nicholson - if it isn't already, that area should be a shared path. What is the point of creating a dedicated, separated bicycle lane for the whole length of the Melbourne CBD that then just spits you out into one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in Melbourne? I must admit I've been tempted to follow other cyclists up onto that footpath, as the alternative is to either take your chances with car doors or try and claim the lane (not the easiest of manoeuvres when riding up the slight incline).
* * * *
My silly cyclist was the lady last night who I had passed previously and she was clearly slower than me, who decided to try and pass me and the cyclist in front of me (who was faster than me) while we were waiting at the lights just as the lights turned green. She then indicated quickly and pushed back into the bike lane in front of me (as she was in the vehicle lane to pass). So I had to then re-pass her. Not overly smart on her part and a bit rude too, passing people who are just pushing off from a changed traffic light when you know they are faster than you.
Still, pretty stupid to drive around in dark clothing at night on a dark vehicle with no lights.
