Another fatality, Cairns today

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oxonabike
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby oxonabike » Sat May 18, 2013 11:46 am

Just recently returned from the memorial ride here in Cairns. Was out the door at just after 5.30 for the run into town and the rally point. Stopped at the first set of lights and a couple of other riders caught up so we stuck together for a fairly spirited ride into the city. As we entered the city, many other riders were converging in the pre-dawn darkness from all points of the compass. It seemed that the city was alive with blinky lights as more an more riders converged on the main drag making their way to the event. At the rally point, similar scenes to those described above were witnessed as more and more cyclists joined the throng from the North side of the city.

At the rally point, a solid wedge of cyclists had formed, protected by police escort while a few words were said about the purpose of the ride, and some safety rules. I understand at that at a previous memorial ride, there were quite a few early crashes and some hospitalisations, so the safety brief was worthwhile. From what I could hear, the left lane was ours to use for the 15 km ride north, however strangely enough, most riders stayed to the left of, or on the fog line, with anyone rarely venturing out into the lane except to overtake slower groups of riders.

Police did an excellent job controlling traffic, and giving the riders unobstructed passage through intersections and roundabouts. The ride must have stretched a few kms - I was near the back of the pack, but could not see the where the line ended behind me, while ahead of me the riders disappeared over the horizon ahead. I had no idea there were so many bikes in Cairns. The pace was quite moderate and riders of all levels of experience were able to maintain tempo with the ride. Another impression I got from such a concentration of cyclists were that they were mostly a great advert for the health and lifestyle benefits of the sport / hobby (except when being slaughtered by motorists). At one stage I was cruising along and overtaken by a bunch of women on mountain bikes - I though it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. My riding companion (no names but a big hi to JessicaAlba who was there too) suggesting that as we were on roadies, being passed by girls on MTBs was all but a criminal offence but it was not that sort of ride. Anyway, they were a delight to ride behind.

I had the EGO video cam hooked up to the chest stap, but at the last minute chose not bother taking it. I now regret that, and had to resort to phone to get a few snaps of the proceedings, which does no justice to the sheer volume of riders out there this morning. An official number will be released in due course no doubt, but I'll guestimate better than 1500. Photos:

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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby miyata84 » Sat May 18, 2013 1:41 pm

I was there too today. We chose to ride right at the back of the pack and as we rode over the Thomatis Ck bridge where the accident occurred there was a middle aged couple standing by the side of the road. Instantly I knew it was Tanya's parents. I nodded to her mum. I had tears in my eyes and so did she.

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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby JessicaAlba » Sat May 18, 2013 3:08 pm

Glad you got the good side of my head there, ox... I'll be sure to inform Phil of his sudden internet notoriety. Nice write up, mate. Was a pretty awesome thing to be a part of.

I also had a lump in the throat as I went over the bridge. Like most everybody there today, I wondered as to the circumstances and events of a week ago. And then I realised I was looking at Tanya's parents, waving to everyone. A sobering moment, to be sure.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Sat May 18, 2013 3:54 pm

Jessica are the BUG's active up in Cairns nowadays at all? I haven't lived up there for 8 years now.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Sat May 18, 2013 4:41 pm

For heavensake. Guess Cairns will go its own sweet way yet again!
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby JessicaAlba » Sat May 18, 2013 4:47 pm

To be honest, I have very little idea of what you are referring to...
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Sat May 18, 2013 5:04 pm

JessicaAlba wrote:To be honest, I have very little idea of what you are referring to...
With regards to the previous comment, I was told late this afternoon by a well known bike shop to urinate off and that Brisbane cyclists didn't know dangerous roads and should stick their South East-centric petition up their collective.
WT?!
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Sat May 18, 2013 5:07 pm

I should add that Cairns isn't going to become an advocacy sandpit, particularly not today. I have in fact chosen to stay rather quiet this weekend and allow those involved in this today's ride to get on with doing what looked to be a sterling job. I may just stay quiet on Cairns again altogether now though :idea:
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby Mulger bill » Sat May 18, 2013 6:08 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:
JessicaAlba wrote:To be honest, I have very little idea of what you are referring to...
With regards to the previous comment, I was told late this afternoon by a well known bike shop to urinate off and that Brisbane cyclists didn't know dangerous roads and should stick their South East-centric petition up their collective.
WT?!
:shock: Yerwot?
Was that banjos I just heard?
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby oxonabike » Sat May 18, 2013 6:10 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:
JessicaAlba wrote:To be honest, I have very little idea of what you are referring to...
With regards to the previous comment, I was told late this afternoon by a well known bike shop to urinate off and that Brisbane cyclists didn't know dangerous roads and should stick their South East-centric petition up their collective.
WT?!
Well known or infamous? One of the more notorious proprietors up here is well known for his amazing arrogance. I hope it was that person that made this comment, as he is apparently ignored by the wider community.

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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Sat May 18, 2013 6:26 pm

That would be my luck.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby JessicaAlba » Sun May 19, 2013 6:55 pm

A friend just posted this on my fb.

http://vimeo.com/66451540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby oxonabike » Mon May 20, 2013 8:19 am

JessicaAlba wrote:A friend just posted this on my fb.

http://vimeo.com/66451540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Wow! Great Vid, very moving.

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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby oxonabike » Mon May 20, 2013 8:26 am

Cairns Post Article on the ride. Amazingly, this paper is kicking off a Share the Road Campaign.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/0 ... -news.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Mon May 20, 2013 8:57 am

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/0 ... -news.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby Ken Ho » Mon May 20, 2013 9:27 am

JessicaAlba wrote:A friend just posted this on my fb.

http://vimeo.com/66451540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That was very touching. Great to see the solidarity there and hopefully people will be more aware.
That was an amazing turn-out.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Mon May 20, 2013 9:37 am

Ken Ho wrote:
JessicaAlba wrote:A friend just posted this on my fb.

http://vimeo.com/66451540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That was very touching. Great to see the solidarity there and hopefully people will be more aware.
That was an amazing turn-out.
It was a wonderful tribute JA. I must remember never to chop onions while watching videos again. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking I was... :(
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby Ken Ho » Mon May 20, 2013 10:03 am

Yes, bloody onions, I must have been chopping some too.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby JessicaAlba » Mon May 20, 2013 7:27 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:
Ken Ho wrote:
JessicaAlba wrote:A friend just posted this on my fb.

http://vimeo.com/66451540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That was very touching. Great to see the solidarity there and hopefully people will be more aware.
That was an amazing turn-out.
It was a wonderful tribute JA. I must remember never to chop onions while watching videos again. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking I was... :(
Seeing mum and dad standing at the end of the bridge the first time was amazing.

The second was gut wrenching. So sad.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby stinhambo » Mon May 27, 2013 11:38 am

I've noticed a slight change in attitude from drivers but not sure if it's enough to convince me to take to the road with confidence.

Tanya's death has affected me a little and I'm reluctant to ride by myself all of a sudden. Seriously considering switching to a mountain bike and taking to the trails or our excuse for cycle paths.

I'm creating a website where people can email me infrastructure issues and make it known that we want better for the Cairns region, particularly as we attract international cycling events plus the influx of tourism.

The turn out at Ride for Tanya was amazing and if more of those people used their bikes more regularly then Government would have to take notice.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby stinhambo » Mon May 27, 2013 11:40 am

ozzymac wrote:Said on the news tonight she was riding in a bike lane and was hit by a drunk p plate driver.

Guess were not safe even in bike lanes.
A strip of white paint is not a bike lane. More needs to be done.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby JessicaAlba » Mon May 27, 2013 12:14 pm

stinhambo wrote:I've noticed a slight change in attitude from drivers but not sure if it's enough to convince me to take to the road with confidence.
To be honest, I have always found most motorists pretty courteous and careful around Cairns. I have been approaching an intersection, still a good fifty or seventy metres away, and cars have waited for me to pass through. I do of course give a thank you wave.

Having said that. Out for a short ride through Whitfield on Saturday, some muppet in a trayback, replete with dirtbike, comes past me and swerves into the bike lane right in front of me. Just as I'm thinking "What the hell was that?!", out comes the one finger salute from the drivers window. Really wish I had gotten his plate in time :evil:
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby oxonabike » Mon May 27, 2013 12:50 pm

stinhambo wrote:I've noticed a slight change in attitude from drivers but not sure if it's enough to convince me to take to the road with confidence.

Tanya's death has affected me a little and I'm reluctant to ride by myself all of a sudden. Seriously considering switching to a mountain bike and taking to the trails or our excuse for cycle paths.

I'm creating a website where people can email me infrastructure issues and make it known that we want better for the Cairns region, particularly as we attract international cycling events plus the influx of tourism.

The turn out at Ride for Tanya was amazing and if more of those people used their bikes more regularly then Government would have to take notice.
Be sure to let us know when your site goes live (with the addy). It will be interesting to see how this new southern bikeway shapes up - to see if they get this one right. A good start would be to carry some simple improvements to existing infrastructure, for example, to relocate some of the forest of bicycle only signs on the segment of cycleway adjacent to Lake street, and move some along the newer sections on the Esplanade - at sensible separation distances.

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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby The 2nd Womble » Mon May 27, 2013 2:10 pm

I can post a link on the SCA website to help direct more traffic your way as well. Let me know.
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Re: Another fatality, Cairns today

Postby stinhambo » Mon May 27, 2013 3:45 pm

The 2nd Womble wrote:I can post a link on the SCA website to help direct more traffic your way as well. Let me know.
Awesome thanks!

I have dozens of ideas for it but I've been told to keep it simple and grow it organically.
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