Queensland cyclists to get 1m clearance on roads, permission to ride without helmets

[XR6TCraig]

Pretty sure that cyclists pay to use the road Stevz.

Lets see, last year I paid something like $50K in taxes, levies, rates, stamp duties registration fees on multiple cars and motorbikes, etc, etc. I am pretty sure some of that went to the building and upkeep of a road somewhere. Actually now I think about it, the figure is probably closer to $60K. How depressing!

I'm not a regular cyclist but every month or so I will dust off the old pushie and go for a ride because the mood takes me.

Now if I want to use the road while on my bike after outlaying $50K to the government, you better believe that I damn well will!

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by MAD

Next time I get stuck behind some cyclists I'll just sit on the horn up their ***** until they move and let me through.
Safer than swerving in to oncoming traffic.

I wonder how many dints I'll get for it.

Or you could just act like a normal balanced human being whenever they come up on a slower moving car/truck/van/road user.
Just use that big pedal to the left of the go pedal, slow down, wait until it is safe and then pass without the carnage or the agro!

Its not that hard unless you are a bipolar pshyco with multiple personality disorder on speed.
Sure it might take 5 seconds longer to get to work, but unless you actually have the above medical condition, how is that a problem?

[stevz]

Originally Posted by XR6TCraig

Pretty sure that cyclists pay to use the road Stevz.

Lets see, last year I paid something like $50K in taxes, levies, rates, stamp duties registration fees on multiple cars and motorbikes, etc, etc. I am pretty sure some of that went to the building and upkeep of a road somewhere. Actually now I think about it, the figure is probably closer to $60K. How depressing!

I'm not a regular cyclist but every month or so I will dust off the old pushie and go for a ride because the mood takes me.

Now if I want to use the road while on my bike after outlaying $50K to the government, you better believe that I damn well will!

Ok then so if I own 3 cars I guess I only have to pay rego on one, because my taxes etc cover the rest. Great argument.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by stevz

Ok then so if I own 3 cars I guess I only have to pay rego on one, because my taxes etc cover the rest. Great argument.

I actually like that idea but the government would never go for it. After all, how many of them can you drive at a time?

How about you only get to use the road ( in whatever vehicle you choose) if you pass a pshyc test. That should put a small percentage of kamakazi drivers ( like yourself) and riders off the road.

The only problem I see with that is that you'd have to take the bus.
The upshot of that is that the rest of us normal people would be a lot safer!

[mcnews]

No they would ban him from the bus because he would lick the windows too much.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by mcnews

No they would ban him from the bus because he would lick the windows too much.

Would probably push the old ladies over in his rush to beat them to the last seat too! LOL

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by stevz

Well if you want to exercise then how about you invest in a stationary exercise bike or a gym membership so you can do so in a manner that doesn't cause traffic chaos to people who actually pay to use the road.

Well if you want to drive then how about you learn the road rules, have some courtesy for your fellow road users and realise that not everyone is out to annoy you. Maybe if you chillax you might actually enjoy life more and stop being such an angry little man.

Also as a side note, I should say that especially during Daylight Savings, I commute to work on my bike most of the time. People like me are actually reducing the number of cars on the road. So you're welcome for having an easier drive to work. Feel free to show your appreciation by not running me over.

[BHDOGS]

whys everybody attacking stevz your creating an us vs them mentality the big no no of this thread you should be showing ancient wisdom and forgiving his hatred of bike riders

[strobe]

I'm interested what you guys do if you come across some old 1920's weekender traveling at 30kms an hour. Do you run them off the road or wait patiently for a safe place to overtake?

[LG17]

Originally Posted by stevz

The govt is pandering to minority groups once again. Cyclists, especially those lycra clad oxygen thieves who think they are in the tour de france, need to be removed from the road completely. Motor vehicles and bicycles don't mix, they are like oil and water.

Minority group?

Judging by a comparison between bicycle sales and car sales I would have thought differently.
"lycra clad oxygen thieves" - are they like rednecks?

[MAD]

Originally Posted by XR6TCraig

Or you could just act like a normal balanced human being whenever they come up on a slower moving car/truck/van/road user.
Just use that big pedal to the left of the go pedal, slow down, wait until it is safe and then pass without the carnage or the agro!

Its not that hard unless you are a bipolar pshyco with multiple personality disorder on speed.
Sure it might take 5 seconds longer to get to work, but unless you actually have the above medical condition, how is that a problem?

You've obviously never driven along Beach Rd in Melbourne then.

Sure my example was extreme, but surely a toot to move is better than being knocked off your bike, or risking my life, and others lives, by travelling on the wrong side of the road.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by strobe

I'm interested what you guys do if you come across some old 1920's weekender traveling at 30kms an hour. Do you run them off the road or wait patiently for a safe place to overtake?

Probably blast their horn until they pull over I suspect? LOL

[csv8]

From todays Bribane Times :
On Friday, it handed down its report and made 80 recommendations, among them a mandatory one-metre passing distance between motorists and cyclists where the speed limit is less than 60km/h.

That distance would increase to 1.5km/h where the speed limit is higher.

Motorists who fail to give cyclists their allotted space would face a maximum $4400 fine and the loss of eight demerit points.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/quee...#ixzz2m05gkkbc

[DJM83]

Wow thats an impressive fine.

[gossy]

Please guys, no more personal attacks.

As others have said, this us versus them needs to stop.

I'm sure many of your children ride on the road as well, will you take that attitude towards them as well? I should hope not.

As an avid cyclist AND motorist, I can understand both sides of the story, a little give and take never hurt anyone.

Yes, some cyclists do break the rules, but I can guarantee many motorists % wise break the rules more.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by MAD

You've obviously never driven along Beach Rd in Melbourne then.

Sure my example was extreme, but surely a toot to move is better than being knocked off your bike, or risking my life, and others lives, by travelling on the wrong side of the road.

Many, many times have I driven along Beach Rd actually. Born and bred in Melbourne. Used to use it daily for a couple of months on my way to and from work. Whats your point? Beach Rd is somehow different to every other road in Aus? LOL

No a toot before barging your way through on a slower vehicle that is ahead of you on the road is not better. Slowing down the way that you would for any other vehicle is the correct way to go about it. Then just pass when safe, just like every other slow moving vehicle!

Explain to me how slowing down for the traffic ahead of you on the road somehow puts your life in danger? If you execute it properly, slowing and then passing on the other side of the road doesn't have to be dangerous.

[MAD]

It's a danger for a car to travel a large amount below the posted speed limit/average travelling speed, why would it suddenly be any different for a bicylce?

I'll happily slow down and pass when safe, but if that means being stuck behind a pack of LCF's for 3 km, then I'll get on the horn and request that they move their much lighter and more manoeuvrable 'vehicle' out of the way.
Just as I would a car towing a caravan at well below the posted limit.
Courtesy goes both ways.

[XR6TCraig]

Yes it does go both ways, but lead by example and be courteous regardless of what type of moron you are dealing with. It makes you the better man. Better than a horn blasting, road raging psycho anyway LOL!

Unfortunately in our society today there are a lot of people who walk around with the 'Its all about me" attitude and stuff the rest of you.

Some of these people happen to ride a bike but its not exclusive to cyclists. Hell, even some people armed with a shopping trolley turn into psychopaths around Christmas time in there big rush! LOL

I can't tell you how many motorists **** me off on the roads whether I am riding my motorbike or driving my car, but I don't go around trying to run them off the road, blast my horn at them or commit attempted murder though ( as good as it might make me feel at the time LOL).

[mcnews]

A woman and a shopping trolley in a supermarket. Manners and regard for others out the window. It's crazy stuff!

[MAD]

It's a very different world cars v bikes, compared to car v cars, when it comes to courtesy.
There is an added level of danger for one group.
A small mistake by a motorist could have catastrophic consequences for a cyclist.

In the eyes of safety, cyclists should be removed from the roads totally to remove that risk.

I don't ride but I guarantee if I did, I would be moving the hell away from cars at every opportunity.
Why try to make a point when it's your life at risk vs a scratch on the car.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by MAD

It's a very different world cars v bikes, compared to car v cars, when it comes to courtesy.
There is an added level of danger for one group.
A small mistake by a motorist could have catastrophic consequences for a cyclist.

In the eyes of safety, cyclists should be removed from the roads totally to remove that risk.

I don't ride but I guarantee if I did, I would be moving the hell away from cars at every opportunity.
Why try to make a point when it's your life at risk vs a scratch on the car.

Same argument could be made for cars vs trucks. You really aren't any safer in a car if a truck hits you side on or head on than a cyclist is interacting with a car.

If truck drivers said the same about cars, would you be happy to see them banned from the roads?

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by csv8

Motorists who fail to give cyclists their allotted space would face a maximum $4400 fine and the loss of eight demerit points.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/quee...#ixzz2m05gkkbc

That just seems insane.

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by MAD

It's a very different world cars v bikes, compared to car v cars, when it comes to courtesy.
There is an added level of danger for one group.
A small mistake by a motorist could have catastrophic consequences for a cyclist.

In the eyes of safety, cyclists should be removed from the roads totally to remove that risk.

I don't ride but I guarantee if I did, I would be moving the hell away from cars at every opportunity.
Why try to make a point when it's your life at risk vs a scratch on the car.

Wow, you are awesome. Words fail me...

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Wow, you are awesome. Words fail me...

You know motorbikes will be the next target too, right Trev. Dangerous bloody things! LOL

Might have to ban surfing too. Too dangerous with all the sharks in the water!

[XBROO]

Mad's right fair enough slow down and wait for an opportunity to past. But if it's not safe to and you're still behind them after 3kays, then they should have the courtesy to let you past.

[Kable72]

That fine is flat out ridiculous.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by csv8

From todays Bribane Times :
On Friday, it handed down its report and made 80 recommendations, among them a mandatory one-metre passing distance between motorists and cyclists where the speed limit is less than 60km/h.

That distance would increase to 1.5km/h where the speed limit is higher.

Motorists who fail to give cyclists their allotted space would face a maximum $4400 fine and the loss of eight demerit points.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/quee...#ixzz2m05gkkbc

Better off running a red light if you see a cyclist coming towards you at an intersection.

[MAD]

Originally Posted by XR6TCraig

Same argument could be made for cars vs trucks.

Not really. There is no speed difference between the two vehicles.

[MAD]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Wow, you are awesome. Words fail me...

Thanks

Come on though, don't wimp out. Point out the faults in my statement.

[tweeked]

I dont have a problem with any of the recomendations.

However, they should not be allowed to pass vehicles waiting at a traffic light unless there is a dedicated bike lane. Having to pass the same bike again after every set of lights is unnecessary. They should wait in the queue like everyone elss.