Cyclist on footpaths

[gurutasker]

They dont pay acc levies either. Coz I think you will find, 99% of accidents that involve cyclists that are serious injury ones are caused by arogant, or none atentive drivers in cars.

I wouldn't agree with that, I have seen about 50 / 50 between non-attentive/bad driving.. and cyclists being completely un-predictable on the road (ie suddenly cutting across 100km/h traffic to get to an offramp on a motorway with no kind of signalling).

[BlakJak]

Must not be a motorway, coz Cyclists aren't allowed on em =)

</pedant>

As I posted earlier, Cyclists are due for their own share of the responsibility...

[escortman]

i dnt hav a problem with cyclists when they ride as far left as possible and abide by the road code ill happily give space when passing, but i show no respect towards the idiots who ride side by side (illegal) or when they ride a meter from the kerb in heavy traffic, but like some have said less cars on the road

[UZZ30]

I hate every single f_uckwit with a bike that rides it on the road.
They always block traffic, and they always bloody ride next to each other making it impossible for you to overtake them.

Death by Stoning seams to be a fitting punishment!!

Keep the pricks on the footpath. That way they stay the hell out of my way and at the end of the day that's really all that matters.

I cant agree more. Theres been so many occasions where some prick on bike just gets in my way which slows me down. Yeah exactly dont forget the way they take over the road it makes it so hard to pass them... They definately should be on the dam foot path.

[gurutasker]

Saw something that really made me smile last night...

Cyclist was pulled over on the Hutt Motorway heading out of Wellington, pulled over for no lights im guessing. (Couldn't see the helmet but he may have had it off)

[BlakJak]

I hope he got a ticket!!

[gurutasker]

I hope he got a ticket!!

Demerit points?

Officer: Can I see your liscence please?

[Dell'Orto]

Hahahaha, two cyclists were riding beside each other in front of me earlier today taking up half the lane...they looked back at me a few times and didnt really make any effort to ride in a line, even though I was in Mum's big 4WD...however they did when one of their taillights somehow dislodged off its mount, and fell right square in front of me

[BlakJak]

"somehow"

heh

[3VLTOY]

i dnt hav a problem with cyclists when they ride as far left as possible and abide by the road code ill happily give space when passing, but i show no respect towards the idiots who ride side by side (illegal) or when they ride a meter from the kerb in heavy traffic, but like some have said less cars on the road

Yeah less cars for the city, me i live in the wops...

As said it is illegal for cyclists to be 2 abreast just like it is for motorbikes.
This is why motorbike riders ride in a zig zag sort of pattern it is also easier to be seen when riding in a group situation.

There are some cyclists that are aware they are small and slow, they move over i give them a wide bearth when passing. Then you get arrogant ones and i don't give them so wide a bearth....

[Ae92typeX]

I have no issues with ones that follow the road code for cyclists and dont ride in packs.
On my way to work each day I see quite a few which give no hassle. truth is, they get to the halfway point of my trip before me because of a frekin congested roads.
On the footpath imo is only ok if there is 1: a bike lane, or 2: a particularly bad/dangerous part of road because of bad drivers.
Cyclists who cant ride to the rules can be and should be tickited, just like drivers (many many of them) who also cant drive properly.
Im considering swapping to a bike for half the weeks trips to work to be honnest. saves on gas and keeps ya fit...till a car hits ya

[skoty]

I hate every single f_uckwit with a bike that rides it on the road.
They always block traffic, and they always bloody ride next to each other making it impossible for you to overtake them.

Death by Stoning seams to be a fitting punishment!!

Keep the pricks on the footpath. That way they stay the hell out of my way and at the end of the day that's really all that matters.

Totally agree!

[mupp3t]

cyclists in town - a nuisance but i'll live with it.

Cyclists on the port hills roads - super dangerous. There's cycle tracks all over that hill yet they still insist on cycling side by side round the blind corners and wavering all over the road trying to make it up the steep hills at thier snails pace. They cant move to the side of the road in time to let cars go by and when the speed limit is 70km a pair of cyclists cycling side by side on a blind corner travelling at 2kmph is a realllll danger.

Then they have the nerve to give motorists the finger? Why not just cycle on the cyclepathes or leave the road biking to the long straight roads that allow more visibility and less danger??

[RS13]

Then they have the nerve to give motorists the finger?

Drive down the road a bit, sink down in your seat so that it looks as though the car is empty, then..



Pretty satisfying, but incredibly dangerous. As a former delivery cyclist, I've seen some real arsehole drivers do some pretty irresponsible stuff, I mean, honestly, cyclists have every right to be on the road, just as much as any motorist. I've had ^^ that done to me, I've also hit cars that just pulled out as though I wasn't there. People seem to think that they own the road, in their nice, safe cars with crumple zones, but I tell ya, it really, really hurts hitting the tarmac!

I think that all you haters should have a ride through town on a bike, and see the shit that goes on. Not only will you get fit, but you generally don't have to wait in huge queues, and other cyclists are normally very courteous and friendly!

[Ae92typeX]

but at the end of the day...on a car enthusiast forum...there is going to be a bit of bias.

for the record, cyclists may ride 2 a side unless passing a vehicle (or parked car). Its in the road code for bikes.

[sergei]

We live in capitalistic country.
We have to pay for everything.
Motorist pay taxes from fuel and acc levies from rego licences fees.
Motorist need to have a licence to drive.
I'm trying to make point that if cyclist are using roads they should pay ACC and road user charges, as they are endangering themselfs and other road users. Cyclists using foot path - not a biggie - it is New Zealand for crying out loud, how many people use foot path, every one is in their cars (I know what I'm talking about, you could walk for hours and not meet anyone, while in other countries foot traffic is something that of normal). Why cyclist are danger on the road? Well look at this way, they cannot maintain speeds equal to those of the cars, they sometimes take up space of 1 lane forcing motorist to change lanes from really slow speeds against high speed traffic, cyclists have very limited braking power, they are not predictable, they choose to run red lights when ever they feel like, they sometimes expect motorist to move out of the way, when motorists trying to enter main road from drive way, while cyclist is doing warp speed down the hill on the main road and cannot brake in time, on traffic lights they go infront of the cars, slowing down the lane they are in to snail pace, at night time cyclist don't have enough lighting to be seen properly, cyclist are not tested for road code - you don't need licence to ride a bicycle, when cyclist is run over - its over!

[Ae92typeX]

Cyclists dont have to sit a test, but they do have to abide by road rules. if they dont, they can be tickited/charged. if they are not, its the police's fault for not taking a heavy hand on infringements. Bikes have to be kept road worthy, but yes, again, no regular test. then again, some countries are the same with old cars like that. Our road taxes (combined with rates etc) pay for the footpath use / building / maintance. foot walkers dont pay road taxes- should they?.
Its also worth considering that by law cyclists are generally meant to be on the road, and as drivers we have to treat them equally. If we cannot, we are not following the road rules we agreed to when getting a license, and theirfore perhaps are not entitled to it as is not a right. Sure a cyclist going slow IS an inconvienence, but it is one of many situations we have to be able to adapt to as drivers on the road.
Overseas some countries have insurance & acc type things cyclists can choose to take out to protect onesself, but as said, Im unaware of any which have to.
Cyclist lanes are being looked into more by local goverments and councils. This would be great for all concerned, but this all costs tax payer money also. And that brings a whole new winge. We all pay various taxes, often which pay for things we personally never use. thats a fact, and theres nothing we can do about it.
I think at the end of the day, cycling is encouraged as it lead to better health, less congestion, better for environment, and less costly.
Sure, we can be agitated that as drives we have taxes on everything to do with driving. But there is no doubt cars cause more accidents, more congestion, more damage to roads, property, environment, people.
Every day Im sure all of us see countless bad drivers who should not be on the road yet are (many more than bad cyclists). I've know too many without any form of insurance, poor habbits and no means of paying should they have a crash. imo they too should not be entitled on the road, but they are, and surely these people pose more a risk to everyone than a cyclist.

[BlakJak]

Ae92typeX good stuff.

Cyclists are required to follow the same rules and commonsense as drivers are.
The difference is probably that theyre not policed enough.

But the majority of Cyclists are actually fairly considerate. A minority spoil it for the rest. Just like drivers, really.

[drftnmaz]

i think there fine as long as there riding single file and keeping left and i dont mind slowing down to pass single file ones.

but in my area we get HEAPS of groups riding as wide as the road is and they expect you to stop and wait for them. i've had many close calls with them and often open my door when there coming the other way and riding 6 wide and yell at them to get in single file.

external wastegates and cars that can smoke the wheels at speed are also very good for teaching them a leason.

yet to make any of them aucally bail and hope i never do i just want to scare them enough to share the road with all users.

it really really pisses me off wen they dont intercate, its not hard you dont need to have your hands on the bars to ride unless your unco or going across really bumpy road.

[nickb800]

"Hi,

I'm a cyclist. Which means I ride a bicycle; in my case to and from work, and recreationally. You may know the sport as "Mountain Biking".

I'm sorry I don't pay registration fees for my bike. Okay, so it weighs about 1/100th of what your SUV does, so I guess it causes a lot less wear on the roads. And I can park it next to my desk. But I also don't exceed the speed limit (except down Willis St, or the 'Bowling Alley' as it's now known), and there's not often a traffic jam caused by bikes.

I know I ride through the Karori Tunnel in the middle of the lane. No, honest, I do - no need to toot. But if you think you can safely pass me with oncoming traffic, hey have a shot.

I also know your car can potentially go faster than me and my bike. Well, it's got to have something in its favour, right? It's just that I've already passed 40 cars like yours, and I doubt you can beat me to work. It's just that no car, in rush hour, has ever done that. Maybe you could, because I know that like 99% of car drivers, you're an above average driver. So yeah, go ahead and zoom past me. And enjoy the 50 metres of superiority before the traffic lights.

I'm also sorry the price of petrol keeps rising, because I have a car too. Well, the shopping's not going to carry itself home from the supermarket. And Riversdale is a bit far for the weekend if you're riding a bike. Let's not get ridiculous. It's just that I minimise my use of the car because I prefer the exercise. Apparently it's better for the planet, but both you and I know that global warming has been traced to a faulty batch of thermometers.

I'm so, so sorry I enjoy riding my bike to work. Every morning it's a rush, those 10 minutes door to door. I love the buzz from the discs as I brake for the corners, I love carving it up through the turns. Oh, and I know you'll probably beat me home, but we've all got to get a bit of exercise, right? And the 10 minutes to work and the 20 minutes home probably beats you anyway - but let's not dwell on that. I can see you don't like driving in heavy traffic, listening to the morning DJs - who would? I would rather stick forks in my thighs than listen to that inane, retarded babble.

So I know you don't think I have a right to use the road. But I do. And I'm sorry you think you should blast pass me as soon as you can, because it implies a deficiency in the trouser department and not that you're in a hurry.

But guess what? It's a radical idea, so it may take a while to grow on you, but please, please be open-minded. Ready? Okay, here it is: You could ride a bike to work. There! Now I've planted a seed, just let it grow and see what you think. Think about what you could do with the money you currently spend on commuting. Maybe buy some bling rims for your car...

Yours,

Simon"