Cyclists on busy roads a nuisance | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich
Cyclists on busy roads a nuisance
Troy Dobinson would like to see riders better accommodated for.
AS MORE cyclists hit our busy roads a study has revealed many drivers consider people riding bicycles to be a nuisance.
The research showed that 64 per cent of respondents believed that cyclists were a road hazard.
Ipswich cyclist Troy Dobinson said it was the responsibility of motorists to look out for cyclists.
“If cyclists didn’t have to ride on the roads, they wouldn’t be a hazard,” he said.
“Most of the cyclists who are training, they’ll be out at five in the morning to avoid the traffic.”
More and more cyclists were hitting the city’s roads, which were becoming more congested, Mr Dobinson said.
“It’s the way of the future because there’s more people in the world,” he said.
“Everyone should ride a bike, for health and wellbeing.”
Close to half (40 per cent) of Queenslanders participating in insurance company AAMI’s research owned a bicycle and a quarter (27 per cent) used their bike to commute.
AAMI spokesman Mike Sopinski said nearly nine-in-ten thought Queensland roads were not safe for cyclists.
“Many of the responses we received highlight that motorists tend to see cyclists as a nuisance and are not always willing to share the road,” he said.
“Criticism of cyclist behaviour is also common, with many (78 per cent) claiming to have seen cyclists break road rules and ride dangerously.
“Despite these attitudes and comments, we are seeing evidence that the larger community supports the more widespread use of bicycles as a mode of transport, particularly as riding to work is often a lifestyle choice in line with our growing awareness of health and environmental factors.”
The vast majority of respondents to AAMI’s survey would like to see better facilities for cyclists.
Ipswich Bicycle Users’ Group convenor John Lubke doesn’t agree with the percentages in the report.
“The key to the issue as I see it is education and infrastructure,” he said.
“There are documented rules that cyclists must abide by in using our roads. Both motorists and cyclists should be aware of these if they are expected to use the same roadways.
“The easiest and least expensive way is with education. It would have to be part of a licensing requirement to make it effective.”
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Posted by Atreju from Ipswich, Queensland
08 February 2010 10:32 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
i ride a bike and i consider some drivers to be inconsiderate of bike riders. numerous times i have had to slam on my brakes because of drivers who are parked on the side of the road and they open their car doors without looking and almost hit me.
i have also had times when i had to ride so close to the gutter because a car driving too close to me has forced me into the gutter, which is dangerous for me, if my pedals hit the gutter i could have an accident.
i for one dont like riding on the road as some drivers are idiots and dont care about people on bikes, but i have to ride on the road because of the law.
some drivers are idiots and can be just as dangerous as some bike riders.
Posted by Bob-of-Earth from Eastern Heights, Queensland
08 February 2010 11:58 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
I for one am all for people using Pushy power. That's great!
But stay LEFT
Do not ride 2 abreast.
If there is car traffic behind you MOVE
You don't pay to use the roads (and your car rego doesn't count unless you are driving your car)
You run red lights, You don't give way to pedestrians
I see this everyday
Ride all you like but remember you are much a hazard on the road as anyone else.
Sometimes more so!
Posted by therese005us from Minden, Queensland
08 February 2010 5:21 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
I think most adult bike riders are sensible and courteous. It does take a little more altertness to drive near the cyclists. However, I find the young teenagers and children cyclists more difficult to get along with. They often ride on the wrong side of the road, and swerve all over the place. They should be educated the ride to the left like the normal traffic, wear helmets, and be courteous and aware of the car traffic.
Cycling should be promoted in order to protect the environment from so much pollution. With the rising population, we've got to expect more traffic on the road.
And don't get me started on those motorised chairs for the elderly and disabled....... but I hasten to add that I respect their need for mobility.
Posted by sharkygirl01 from Bundamba, Queensland
08 February 2010 6:29 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Countless times have I see and been in a car that has had to pretty much stop behind cyclists because
1. they do not move over
2. cars cannot go around because of cars on the other side of the road.
If you're a cyclist on a busy road, or notice there are cars coming from both ways, stay in a single file, like Bob-of-Earth said not two abreast, and as close as you can to the edge of the road so we can pass safely and not hit another car or you.
Posted by DaveSharp from Springfield Lakes, Queensland
28 April 2010 6:47 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Tony, have you seen or heard of the 1m safe passing petition thats currently running at all? http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view...
I've sent the link to all the major cycling clubs in Queensland. You all need to sign this so we can avoid the situations being discussed here. Tell everyone you know to jump onboard. If you are a Bicycle Queensland member then they didn't support the petition either. According to one senior BQ official, imposing a 1m law on drivers would encourage drivers to try and see how close they can get to cyclists. I'm struggling to find the logic or reason in them promoting that theory, or that they wouldn't at least give their members the option to sign it or not. We have 4,100 electronic and 1000 paper signatures so far, plus the support of the Amy Gillet Foundation and a couple of major Aussie Pro's and a link in the next edition of Bicycling Australia Magazine. The NSW Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation's office has been in touch with me as well about them wanting to start work on a bill for the NSW parliament too so stay tuned Cockroaches! This proposal is for all Queenslanders to sign, not just us city slickers (and I'm a 20year Townsvillian.