To the numpty on the bent this morning ...

[itsaghostcar]

... heading down Oxford St going across to Liverpool St ...

I certainly hope that you had some kind of mechanical problem because going straight through the red light (which had been red for around half a minute) and into a major intersection and ending up in front of all those cars that were already turning right from Wentworth Ave onto Oxford St was the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Had me and the other two cyclists waiting at the lights shaking our heads.

Those two bobbing flags on the back of your bike aren't going to stop you getting killed if you're riding around like that!

[not4resale]

I've seen plenty of bikes fang it through that intersection... Not much you can do but shake your head and hope that some sense eventually trickles into their uninspired minds....

[Max]

..or they'll get taken out by oncoming traffic, and the problem will fix itself. Natural selection. Eventually the only riders left will be the ones who don't disregard red lights. Everyone's a winner!

Max

[Burt 'Pigeon Racer' Jones]

Bent riders a weird.

[Kalgrm]

Bent riders a weird.

= yet another gross generalisation.

[Mulger bill]

At least they can't do permanent faceplant damage.

[Kalgrm]

Apparently faceplant damage also closes the mind.

[Joehax]

... heading down Oxford St going across to Liverpool St ...

I certainly hope that you had some kind of mechanical problem because going straight through the red light (which had been red for around half a minute) and into a major intersection and ending up in front of all those cars that were already turning right from Wentworth Ave onto Oxford St was the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Had me and the other two cyclists waiting at the lights shaking our heads.

Those two bobbing flags on the back of your bike aren't going to stop you getting killed if you're riding around like that!

A few weeks ago I saw a bent rider doing the exact same thing on the George St / Druitt St intersection in peak hour AM traffic.

He cycled right in front of a bus, I couldn't believe how stupid this guy was! Wonder if it was the same person?

[hartleymartin]

I've been hearing from a lot of newbie bicycle riders that someone told them that bicycles don't have to stop for red lights and if it's clear then it's okay to proceed. Just checked the relevant AAR's and there is no such rule or law. Sounds like someone's attitude towards traffic lights has gone through some Chinese whispers to become an apparent road rule.

[rustguard]

I've been hearing from a lot of newbie bicycle riders that someone told them that bicycles don't have to stop for red lights and if it's clear then it's okay to proceed. Just checked the relevant AAR's and there is no such rule or law. Sounds like someone's attitude towards traffic lights has gone through some Chinese whispers to become an apparent road rule.

No HM it is actually true. If there are no police around cyclist are actually allowed to go through red lights, they just havnt written it into the code yet

[mod edit: Not true. This is a joke. Don't try this at home youngsters.]

[Burt 'Pigeon Racer' Jones]

Bent riders a weird.

= yet another gross generalisation.

Generalisation in your eyes maybe, but if it quacks like a duck......

[Kalgrm]

If you can make generalisations, I can make assumptions.

I assume you don't know anybody who rides a recumbent. I assume you base your characterisation of weirdness solely on their choice of bike. I assume you've never ridden a 'bent yourself for an extended period of time.

I regularly ride with a dozen or so recumbent riders, none of whom are weird. Amongst the group, we have a retired Naval officer, a couple of computer scientists, a business analyst, a paediatric doctor, an air traffic controller and a geologist. As a group, these guys and girls are the most interesting and knowledgeable collection of people I've ever known. If intelligent, open-minded, lateral thinkers are your definition of weird, then I guess we are indeed a weird mob.

However, weird is usually defined as being "different". I assume you would not fit into the group, but the reason would not be for your choice of bike.

Cheers,
Graeme

[martinjs]

Although I'm not agreeing with Burt in anyway, I would like to point out that weird (in the terms of not normal) is good in my book, as a long time Treky and a 47 year old that loves cartoons like Lilo and stitch among others, I'm often considered weird by some of the young people I work with and I think that's great.

The weird people are the most interesting lot around. Sod normal.

Martin

[simonn]

Bent riders a weird.

Typo?

Surely you meant "bent riders have beards."

A gross generalization true... but... beards are pretty gross

[Mulger bill]

I regularly ride with a dozen or so recumbent riders, none of whom are weird.<snip>

Cheers,
Graeme

I call BS Graeme, there's a geologist in there! How weird d'yer want?

Shaun

[Burt 'Pigeon Racer' Jones]

If you can make generalisations, I can make assumptions.

I assume you don't know anybody who rides a recumbent. I assume you base your characterisation of weirdness solely on their choice of bike. I assume you've never ridden a 'bent yourself for an extended period of time.

I regularly ride with a dozen or so recumbent riders, none of whom are weird. Amongst the group, we have a retired Naval officer, a couple of computer scientists, a business analyst, a paediatric doctor, an air traffic controller and a geologist. As a group, these guys and girls are the most interesting and knowledgeable collection of people I've ever known. If intelligent, open-minded, lateral thinkers are your definition of weird, then I guess we are indeed a weird mob.

However, weird is usually defined as being "different". I assume you would not fit into the group, but the reason would not be for your choice of bike.

Cheers,
Graeme

Quick boys, get the gaff. I've got a big one on the line!!!!

Weird............and precious.

[Kalgrm]

Thanks for the report guys, but the mods won't need to take any action against Burt. We'll just leave his post up as a testament to his personality traits: His belittling attitude makes him appear foolish and does no harm to me.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Burt 'Pigeon Racer' Jones]

Meh.