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February 15, 2005
How Wrong I Was!
I've come to a rather humiliating discovery over the last six months or so, as I've been cycling to and from work each day on the fabulous bicycle path along the Brisbane River, a discovery which has forced me to fundamentally change one of my basic ideas behind people and transport. Let me explain...
Up until recently, I've been a firm believer that drivers are, to a greater or lesser degree, big, dumb, stupid animals that should be best avoided at all costs. As a (again, until recently) committed and vocal non-driver, this opinion has been formed over years of near misses as a cyclist, motorbike rider and, to a lesser extent, pedestrian. My conclusion, although general, gave me the mindset to behave in a manner most likely to keep me alive and safe: in other words, treat all drivers as idiots and you'll rarely be disappointed.
The counterpoint to this theory was that non-drivers (and I'm talking mainly cyclists and motorcyclists) were correspondingly benevolent and wise, given the greater sense of commitment they have to safe behaviour on the roads...
I'm now not so sure this is the case!
The sort of shenanigans I've seen from my cycling bretheren along the Brisbane River bike path has honestly made my hair stand on end at times. Literally every single day, I'm witness to cases of selfish riding in respect to pedestrians that put most drivers to shame. It seems the worst possible thing a cyclist can do on this path is slow down for whatever reason, and they'll resort to any number of risky actions to prevent this from happening. These actions include, but are not limited to:
- Riding on the wrong side of the clearly delineated path to avoid cracks in the path
- Overtaking on the wrong side of the path
- Overtaking on the wrong side of the path... on a blind corner
- Riding three abreast - pushing cyclists coming on the other direction onto the wrong side of the path
- Blatantly ignoring signs to dismount when construction workers are nearby
And to those of you who think these things are not important because it's not on public roads, I invite you to become an intimate participant in a head-on bike collision at a closing speed of around 60kmh and then reconsider. Just because there are no road rules being enforced, does not mean you can put your brain in neutral and endanger other people's travels solely for your benefit.
Shame, shame, shame Brisbane River path cyclists! Both for acting like utter gits, and for forcing me to eat my words and reconsider my postiion on this topic.
Posted by Andy Marks at February 15, 2005 06:11 PM
Comments
Some points:
1) People are idiots. That's the common factor here.
2) What makes you think there's no "road rules"? That "clearly delineated path" is as legally valid as the line down the center of a road, and you can get fined for riding on the wrong side (the charge is unsafe operation of a vehicle, or something similar). Same goes for the 3-abreast idiots.
3) Defensive driving techniques are good to adopt regardless of what you're driving, or even if you're walking.
4) See point #1 again.
Posted by: Robert Watkins at February 15, 2005 11:27 PM
Unfortunate lesson: everybody is an idiot.
Posted by: Chris Winters at February 16, 2005 04:39 AM
Come to Amsterdam for a while and you'll definitely throw cyclists well of that moral pedestal you have them on.
I quote, 'I've seen shit that will turn you white.'
This is a country whose primary transport, one could argue, is via cycle yet I'd say 5% adhere to 'cycling law'.
To boot, it seems the government here encourages natural selection by having no mandatory helmet law. Ah, it all makes sense now!
Posted by: blondie at February 16, 2005 05:01 AM
I am an Aussie living in Amsterdam as well and agree with blondie. Fancy going down a one way street (in your car) having bicycles come from 4 directions. Left front, right front, left rear, right rear with no lights and no helmets.
Cheers Richard
Posted by: Richard at February 16, 2005 05:28 PM
You people are all retards. A piece of fucking styrafoam mounted to your dingy little heads isn't going to save your pathetic lives. Watch where you are going and your surroundings. If you are too fat, slow and stupid for bicycle travel, perhaps life just isn't for you. What do you think 3 1/2 tonnes at a 50 kilometer velocity is going to do to your stupid piece of styrafoam? If I hear one more person whining about helmets, I'm gonna to beat them with the styrafoam helmet to show just how pathetic and weak it is. While I'm on a roll, let's just ponder how a piece of fiberglass with styrafoam innards is going to save your life? Oh, I got it! IT'S NOT!!!!! Will somebody please use that brain, you know, the one you have that could be functioning, but obviously isn't?
For twenty years, I've dreamed of coming to Australia and people talked about how stupid it was, because of all the stupid super saftey laws, I'm leaving and their right! What a bunch of bullshit. There are saftey precautions for saftey precausions. No little Jimmy, you can't go out and play until you have your helmet, knee pads, protective eye gear, shin gards, mouthgaurds, elbow pads, protective jacket, long pants, laced up boots, headgear, the proper forms for the Safety Engineers to fill out their proper forms for the local authorities to properly register the bicycle and ensure it is in safe working condition so it's legal permits can be issued and then you can pay your bicycle saftey tax.
No wonder there is a fucking obesity epidemic! I'd rather go inside and eat junk food and play video games than to ahere to these ridiculous safety laws.
Get Real Morons, life isn't that scary. No wonder all the other countries laugh at you. Your all a bunch of BLOODY WANKERS! I hope my french is correct.
Posted by: Ryan & Sarah at April 1, 2006 04:25 PM
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