Why So Close
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Why So Close
Postby stanevelyn » Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:53 pm
They seem to have forgotten that a bicycle has the same rights as any other vehicle on the road, and in the NT where I am, a distance of at least 1 meter is required when passing a bicycle. They also seem to have forgotten that when passing another vehicle is not safe, then the vehicle intending to pass should sit back and pass when safe to do so. It was simply a matter of the bus driver pushing their way through with no regard for anyones safety, and no knowledge of their obligations.
I have also had road trains (3 trailers) pass me with little more than 12" gap at highway speed, however they are too fast to glimpse their identity. I know that we all have had issues with trucks and buses however the lack of awareness and consideration of the road rules by so called professional drivers and their employers is an area of great concern. Whats the general consensus out there?
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Re: Why So Close
Postby Missy24 » Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:59 pm
2. i ride road - i'm confident in my skills, but I have no idea whats behind me, as long as I don't get hit it really doesn't bother me
3. I know about the road trains... and that was awesome but scary all at the one time... we had warning that it was coming and pulled over
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Re: Why So Close
Postby KenGS » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:04 pm
Helmets! Bells! Rego!
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Re: Why So Close
Postby stanevelyn » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:26 pm
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Re: Why So Close
Postby KenGS » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:31 pm
Helmets! Bells! Rego!
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Re: Why So Close
Postby stanevelyn » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:35 pm
I'll give it a go and see how I fare.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby trailgumby » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:36 pm
You might want to start riding with a camera and then you can engage in a little name and shame. Since that was done locally, Forest Coach Lines drivers seem to be a lot more respectful of cyclists. It made the front page of teh loca paper and then main Sydney news bulletin at 6pm the following day.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/ne ... on-camera/
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNUvEGD2 ... r_embedded[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwKEuf5f ... r_embedded[/youtube]
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Re: Why So Close
Postby stanevelyn » Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:38 pm
Your videos clearly illustrate what happened regarding the road trains that went past me, however they were doing at least 80km/h. The bus did not cut me off so severely but passed me as close as your video shows. This bus would have also been doing at least 80km/h.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby trailgumby » Fri Nov 05, 2010 10:44 pm
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Re: Why So Close
Postby zero » Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:54 pm
Thus its not possible for them to share many lanes with you, and then it becomes basically a question of how far the bus driver is willing to move over into the next lane, and giving him no option but to fully foul the next lane, reduces the frequency that they come stupidly close to you, and gives you some room to move over into if they start leaning on you.
Tour buses with dog boxes are a particular curse, because the drivers always forget about them when passing, and move the dog boxes into your space.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby mactype » Tue Nov 09, 2010 1:01 pm
Good advice, however I've found it has its own drawbacks. They either sit behind you on the horn or overtake and then swerve in as they complete the overtaking move. Which I hate.KenGS wrote:Then ride one metre out from the kerb or more. Drivers normally give you as much clearance as your distance from the kerb. So if you want a metre clearance ride one metre out.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby J-C90 » Tue Nov 09, 2010 2:13 pm
I find most any vehicles towing a trailer to a problem - at least the truckies tend to have a good idea of the space their vehicle and trailer occupies, even if they do appear to come a bit close at times. Cars towing trailers are the worst, a few times now I've almost been taken out by a trailer when a car has moved back into the lane I'm occupying before the trailer has cleared me!zero wrote: Tour buses with dog boxes are a particular curse, because the drivers always forget about them when passing, and move the dog boxes into your space.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby casual_cyclist » Tue Nov 09, 2010 2:26 pm
Wow! I ride all kinds of roads in and around Perth and in 2 years and over 10k of cycling I have only been "tooted" twice for taking up a lane. Something interesting is that both times it was a dual carriageway road and the other lane was empty (I checked)mactype wrote:Good advice, however I've found it has its own drawbacks. They either sit behind you on the horn or overtake and then swerve in as they complete the overtaking move. Which I hate.KenGS wrote:Then ride one metre out from the kerb or more. Drivers normally give you as much clearance as your distance from the kerb. So if you want a metre clearance ride one metre out.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby zero » Tue Nov 09, 2010 3:05 pm
Dependant on your speed too. Have yet to be tooted on my roadie at all, (its a bit hard to get honked at when you are drawing away from them after all), and have never been honked at descending on the MTB.casual_cyclist wrote:Wow! I ride all kinds of roads in and around Perth and in 2 years and over 10k of cycling I have only been "tooted" twice for taking up a lane. Something interesting is that both times it was a dual carriageway road and the other lane was empty (I checked)mactype wrote:Good advice, however I've found it has its own drawbacks. They either sit behind you on the horn or overtake and then swerve in as they complete the overtaking move. Which I hate.KenGS wrote:Then ride one metre out from the kerb or more. Drivers normally give you as much clearance as your distance from the kerb. So if you want a metre clearance ride one metre out.
The only time it actually happens to me, is when I'm near a line of parked cars AND 1m from the parked cars = lane line divider, on flat headwind or climbing conditions. Obviously its stupid to ride closer than 1m because of dooring risk, and its stupid to ride along the lane line, because that is the way to maximise the chance of being clipped. So the only safe position is within the lane, and that irritates the self important driver, who is not capable of comprehending dooring risk.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby ft_critical » Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:23 am
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Re: Why So Close
Postby tyred » Thu Nov 11, 2010 5:33 pm
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Re: Why So Close
Postby stanevelyn » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:47 pm
Obviously there are people in the NT who either by sheer ignorance of the road rules, or not knowing the rules are driving dangerously. I can't see why some Police don't take to the roads and highways on bicycles (plain clothed) with a video on their helmets. (It would also benefit the environment).
Once a few dangerous driving tickets start to be issued, word will quickly spread and the behaviour of motorists will start changing.
Hopefully for a better and safer ride.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby il padrone » Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:01 pm
Probably not helped by a culture of 'no speed limit' on open highways and current 130kmh limit. People can't accept the concept of slowing to the speed of a 20-30kmh cyclist. They need more serious 'education', via hard-edged enforcement.stanevelyn wrote:Obviously there are people in the NT who either by sheer ignorance of the road rules, or not knowing the rules are driving dangerously.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Why So Close
Postby silkishuge » Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:22 pm
J
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Re: Why So Close
Postby ft_critical » Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:43 pm
This reminds me of my near death experience. I was cycling along Kanpachi dori, a three lane ring road, in TokyoI was being overtaken by an articulated truck around a bend in the road. It is quite narrow in Tokyo, similar to the Pac Hwy in Sydney. The side of the truck was getting closer and close and I was moving more and more into the gutter. Finally, I bailed, I wrenched up on the spd pedals and threw myself on the pavement on my side. The wheels of the truck went over the gutter at the apex of the bend, not by much, but I would have been toast. And you have to understand that all happened in a few seconds.tyred wrote:I've ridden down the Stuart Hwy a few times and generally the road trains give you plenty of room. One time though a road train was getting passed by another so he couldn't budge. I reckon he was less than 200mm from me and two other mates
That really scared the hell out of me.
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Re: Why So Close
Postby trailgumby » Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:11 pm
Can you move over here please? I want to ride with you.casual_cyclist wrote:Wow! I ride all kinds of roads in and around Perth and in 2 years and over 10k of cycling I have only been "tooted" twice for taking up a lane. Something interesting is that both times it was a dual carriageway road and the other lane was empty (I checked)
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Re: Why So Close
Postby Max » Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:00 am
True enough, but at the same time, if we don't speak out for our rights, they're not really rights at all. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, you know?silkishuge wrote:Is it possible to look for alternate routes that are less busy. I try to avoid busy roads. I don't really believe in fighting for my rights, just to get home safe.
Max
Cycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy
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Re: Why So Close
Postby martinjs » Fri Nov 12, 2010 4:23 pm
Martin
Australia has the largest and heaviest road-legal vehicles in the world, with some configurations topping out at close to 200 tonnes (440,000 lb). The majority are between 80 and 120 t (180,000 and 260,000 lb).
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Re: Why So Close
Postby cyho11 » Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:59 am
Is it ironic that at 1:07 the cyclist isn't wearing a helmet?trailgumby wrote:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwKEuf5f ... r_embedded[/youtube]
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