Cycle Registration Floated

[PN-Mad]

I think there are extremes on both sides.

I have done more than average kms on a pushbike over my lifetime.

Bike riders have to take some responsibility for their actions. You cut up the inside of a cement truck, things are going to get bad for you. Not obeying traffic signs, and pulling out in front turning in front of a bus, your going to get squished. That's just the fact. Yet some of the bike lobby will continue to jump up and down everytime there is an incident like this, saying everyone in a metal death box wants to kill cyclists. There are actually laws in place about cyclists riding recklessly, or being a hazard on the road. The arrogance of some who choose to ride two abreast when there is a marked cycle lane amaze me.

On the other hand there are car / truck drivers who should be ashamed of themselves, and should rightfully have to face harsher penalties. Young girl comes to mind who "doesn't care" that she hit a cyclist. Those other awful stories about drivers plowing into groups of cyclists. Now I confess, if I get stuck behind a cyclist in peak hour, I can get frustrated. But it's a responsibility to pass safely. It's only going to take you the equilivent of a set of lights to wait and get round safely. I don't care about rego or licences. Everyone who does rides regularly knows the rules, and those that break them, choose to do so and must face the consequences. Licence or testing isn't going to stop them.

The long catch cry is "share the road", cyclists need to remember this too.

[GTR-N1]

May I throw another one into the mix!

I'm leaning more towards registration - yes, for kids too!
Over many decades, I've picked up 2 distressed and traumatised kids off the street due to accidents.
* If the helmet or bike had a registration number, parents could be notified straight away.
* If I'm noticed attending to that child by latecomers, at least I can't be held responsible for causing the kid's distress whilst I've taken note of the rego#
* If our dogs have chips to facilitate the location of owners, shouldn't kids be linked the same way to their parents?

Only then, does it come down to the cost.

[Daleo]

The "Share the road" catchcry is an interesting one; because it's impossible for a cyclists to enforce their rights against a car.

When push comes to shove the cyclist will be the only one going to hospital.

There is currently a 2year trial in QLD with a minimum 1m safe passing distance (1.5m at speeds over 80km/h) on the spot fine of $330, and a potential $4400 fine if you contest in court and lose. Early evidence indicates that drivers are being much more considerate and passing much more safely.

The only thing that has changed is the threat of a fine; the cyclists were always allowed to be there. There is now a clear understanding that you cannot pass a cyclist while still "sharing"(read bullying them out of) their lane with sufficient distance to avoid a fine. If you can't change lanes; you can't pass. Simple as that.

Every other country that uses minimum passing distances reports lower instances of rider injuries and fatalities.

I'd like to see the trial extended to all of Australia.

I want my kids to be able to ride their bikes safely just like I did when I was young. I'm teaching my 5 y/o to ride on the street at the moment (we don't have footpaths) and I'm teaching him to acknowledge & engage other road users, as I believe it's important for them to see him as a human on a bike, not just an obstacle in their way.

Terry's point about identifying children isn't one I'd thought of, but my son's helmet has written in indelible marker inside; his name, his address, my name, and my mobile number.

My own also contains my name & emergency contact details in case I hurt myself badly while riding in the bush.

[XKLABA]

Ok so I was not going post on this topic as I drive a truck for a living and as much as I try and be curtious to cyclists as much as possible, but on busy roads in peak hours they are a pain and a danger to themselves and other road uses

One vehicle traveling at such a slow speed cause more accidents then one vehicle speeding period, I see it all the time, people having to take drastic actions to avoid hitting said vehicles end up forcing other vehicle off the road or into other traffic

Now the reason I decided to post, on my way through Penrith alone Jamison park there was a adult bike rider riding on the footpath approaching the side street I needed to turn into, I turned on the indicator slowed down to turn into the street, the bike rider looked at me then pedalled on across the road right in front of me, I had to slam the brakes on so I didn't hit him with a car full of kids, so I blow my horn at him and I got the given the finger and abuse hurled at me like I was the one in the wrong, fark him I wanted to run the cock over after that

[Daleo]

Ok so I was not going post on this topic as I drive a truck for a living and as much as I try and be curtious to cyclists as much as possible, but on busy roads in peak hours they are a pain and a danger to themselves and other road uses

One vehicle traveling at such a slow speed cause more accidents then one vehicle speeding period, I see it all the time, people having to take drastic actions to avoid hitting said vehicles end up forcing other vehicle off the road or into other traffic

Now the reason I decided to post, on my way through Penrith alone Jamison park there was a adult bike rider riding on the footpath approaching the side street I needed to turn into, I turned on the indicator slowed down to turn into the street, the bike rider looked at me then pedalled on across the road right in front of me, I had to slam the brakes on so I didn't hit him with a car full of kids, so I blow my horn at him and I got the given the finger and abuse hurled at me like I was the one in the wrong, fark him I wanted to run the cock over after that

You would see more than your fair share of the full spectrum of poor road behaviour; today was definitely a fine example of what people hate about cyclists.

For every one cyclist you see displaying epic stupidity, and an arrogant attitude; there are 20 more; following the rules, being courteous, and not reinforcing the stereotype.

Good work for not giving him the mouthful of abuse he probably deserved; the rest of us appreciate it.

At least around Jamison park; the streets are wide, and visiblity is reasonable.

[XKLABA]

If he was on the road I would have given way to him, but he came off the footpath across the side street I wanted to turn into and back onto the footpath on the other side

There is a time and place for everything, the time and places I come across push bike riders is never the right time or place for them to be where they are doing what their doing

[niZmO_Man]

For cities/built up areas, the solution is simply getting the bikes off the roads, giving them their own lanes. Don't believe me? Go visit Amsterdam. While it is sometimes a pain to drive in the city with bike riders literally everywhere, it is way more safe to do that over there than here. They have low powered scooters on those lanes as well.

Problem is that it's far too late for NSW to do anything about it, the infrastructure is already in place, poorly planned and badly inadequate. Combined with half the drivers on the roads being undereducated/trained in driving, it will always be a lose lose situation. Then you throw in the fkwits and it's game over.

The people doing the right thing will lose out in the end. Helmets having contact info is a common sense thing really, would be good to have a registration type thing to make identifying easier. All costs money though, more opportunity for a few to make money off the government.

[533 RYC]

^ What Ravi said! At home in Canberra, they put in bike lanes on all major roads, which meant completely redesigning the slip lanes onto major roads so cars have to stop. In the Netherlands they have heaps of cycle lanes on major roads, & get this, at traffic lights, they get to have their own turn! They've made provisions for cyclists at traffic lights like pedestrians have! We admittedly don't have the volume of cyclists here, but its a good idea.

[Daleo]

There is also a thing called the "Idaho stop" (used not only in it's state of origin, but in a few other US states); where at traffic lights IF IT IS SAFE to do so; cyclist are permitted to pause, (not just fly through) then continue.
This is proven to reduce rider injuries where they are either hit from behind whilst stationary, or squeezed out by cars as they cross intersections, or when the road narrows on the other side of the intersection.
It also reduces conflicts where motorists feel that the cyclists are obstructing their progress.

In countries where bike use is widespread; the onus of responsibility for cyclists safety lies entirely on drivers. If you hit a cyclist; you are deemed ENTIRELY at fault simply because you are the one who has the potential to cause the most harm.
In Australia, many drivers take the "Might is right" approach; so as long as they a re bigger than the other guy, they will do whatever the f**k they feel like.

Guess which approach benefits the community more?

There are literally thousands of proven options to reduce exposure of cyclists to the dangers of being constantly in close proximity tho other road users; but in Australia, as per usual, our legislators either;

A; Do nothing
B; Pull out the stick to beat the little guy any plan when they "Get tough" on bloody anything.
C;Cherry pick tiny components of a grander plan; and wail when surprise surprise it doesn't work
D; Let the media demonise one side or the other, so they can swing in with a totally ineffective, unproven option; so they can be "seen to be doing something"

​Cycling in built up areas is on the rise; but sadly as numbers rise, things will statistically get much worse for cyclists before they get better.

[Aggroman]

just start hitting everyone and killing people.. there are too many people on this planet anyway, lets go back to medieval times where if u ventured out you ran the risk of dying to a whole range of things..

Man I really like my idea!

[533 RYC]

Lol, oh Dave, I do agree with the bit about over population. One part of Darwin's theory will get us, however, I don't think it will be survival of the fittest!

[Daleo]

just start hitting everyone and killing people.. there are too many people on this planet anyway, lets go back to medieval times where if u ventured out you ran the risk of dying to a whole range of things..

Man I really like my idea!

Give every man and woman of voting age 3 chainsaws, and an unlimited supply of 2 stroke fuel; then send them for mandatory juggling lessons.

Problem solved.

According to a study done by university of Adelaide; 80% of accidents in Australia, where the cyclist was killed; it was the fault of the licensed driver.

How will licensing for riders/registration plates change this?

We need to change our focus.

[PN-Mad]

Funny thing is Mick, if it was a pedestrian on that intersection, I think now they changed the law that the motorist is required to stop and give way. Bikes, I'm not too sure about!? Anyway, I don't think he is legally allowed to be riding on the footpath since he is over 12 years of age.

[Daleo]

Funny thing is Mick, if it was a pedestrian on that intersection, I think now they changed the law that the motorist is required to stop and give way. Bikes, I'm not too sure about!? Anyway, I don't think he is legally allowed to be riding on the footpath since he is over 12 years of age.

You're right; it is an offence to ride a pushbike on the footpath unless you are under 12, or are riding with a child under 12.

You're also supposed to dismount to cross intersections on bike paths.

Realistically; they should have a bloke waving a flag walking in front of them. That would solve tonnes of issues.

Either that; or more licenses.

[XKLABA]

That's the first I have heard of that, I was under the impression if there was my crossing it was the responsibility of the pedestrian to cross safely

just start hitting everyone and killing people.. there are too many people on this planet anyway, lets go back to medieval times where if u ventured out you ran the risk of dying to a whole range of things..

Man I really like my idea!

I'll just pop this here

[PN-Mad]

That's the first I have heard of that, I was under the impression if there was my crossing it was the responsibility of the pedestrian to cross safely ]

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+pt.7-div.2+0+N

[GTR-N1]

just start hitting everyone and killing people.. there are too many people on this planet anyway, lets go back to medieval times where if u ventured out you ran the risk of dying to a whole range of things..

Man I really like my idea!

Hahaaa...

The year was 1975 and I was managing a chemist at Walder Rd Hammondville.

This cretin would not obey my repeated requests > demands to ride his bike elsewhere instead of up and down the front of the pharmacy strip.

I thought, "Wtf, this idiot doesn't deserve to draw breath!"

I filled up a bucket of water and lie in wait.

Sure enough, he rode up as though I were a toothless tiger and I let him have it.

Whilst sprawled out on the ground bawling and two elderly customers were waddling towards the shop not believing what they were seeing, I dashed back in wondering what excuse I'd have to offer to the boy's parents - especially whilst dragging a damaged bike home and gravel rashes on 3 limbs.

[533 RYC]

Funny thing is Mick, if it was a pedestrian on that intersection, I think now they changed the law that the motorist is required to stop and give way. Bikes, I'm not too sure about!? Anyway, I don't think he is legally allowed to be riding on the footpath since he is over 12 years of age.

When I was doing my license, cyclists had to dismount before using a pedestrian (zebra) crossing, if they didn't, legally you didn't have to stop! I very clearly remember this rule as it was very surprising. Dunno if it's still the same though.

I wonder what those bastards the Pedestrian Association thinks of all this? Will they want a demerit point system to apply to bicyclists???

[XKLABA]

Interesting, I can understand making it so that a car has to give way to someone already on the road, that just common sense and a fair call in my book

But what is concidered "near" an intersection, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10m, I personally think if the pedestrian is still on the foot path then they should give way to a car that is already turning in

The cock today was about 10m back from the road when he looked at me and my indercator was already on and just keep gong like it was his god given right

[redcorpsjames]

This topic comes up so often. It won't happen. The government want more cyclist on the road. Why would they deter people with a charge. I have been caught without a helmet before. Got charged. The government needs to concentrate on the bigger problem at hand here. Cars not treating cyclists as vehicles. Its the law. We are vehicles. We can take up a whole lane. Its people who do not realise this that cause accidents. Driver education is what's needed not cyclist registration . . .