Riding Safely on the Roads

[workmx]

Don't forget that the footpath is always there. It is illegal, but I would rather be hit with a fine than a car.

It is NOT illegal in the ACT - despite what some stupid pedestrians will tell you.

Nor is it a good idea to ride 1 metre from the gutter in Canberra.
This will only encourage drivers to drive dangerously close or swerve into front of you and brake (yes - Canberra drivers are that agro - I had three cars do it to me on the way to work this morning 'cause they wanted to turn left at the next intersection).

These points highlight the importance of local knowledge of other road-users and your road rules.
You should try to get some advice from cyclists who regularly ride in your area.

I would encourage you to ride assertively and make yourself as visible as possible.
But (as Dirtlove says) always expect the worst and plan for it.

 

[red death]

...Nor is it a good idea to ride 1 metre from the gutter in Canberra. This will only encourage drivers to drive dangerously close or swerve into front of you and brake...

My experience (not in Canberra) is quite the contrary!

I find it much better to ride at least a metre, more like 2 metres from the kerb esp. when approaching an intersection, because this discourages drivers from cutting in on you to turn left, in fact it makes it impossible - unless they drive right over you of course, but then they'd be the very same fuckstix what'd deliberately swerve to hit you anyway...

 

[RichJS]

After being hit two times doing hook turns and once going while going straight (the driver that hit me was actually in a turn right lane and he just went straight) I just get off and wait for the lights.

Uh, you realise that when doing a hook turn you're required to wait for the lights to turn green in the direction you want to head?

It is not legal to just wait for the lights in the direction you were going to change red, or even orange. (Heading off too early makes it pretty likely for you to get hit by someone running the orange.)

I'm not sure how you could get hit while executing a legal hook turn, otherwise...

 

[workmx]

My experience (not in Canberra) is quite the contrary!

I find it much better to ride at least a metre, more like 2 metres from the kerb esp. when approaching an intersection, because this discourages drivers from cutting in on you to turn left, in fact it makes it impossible - unless they drive right over you of course, but then they'd be the very same fuckstix what'd deliberately swerve to hit you anyway...

Most Canberra drivers seem to be idiots.
They hate anything that is not a car being on the road.
They will swerve into the outer lane, speed past, slam on the brakes and then turn left in front of you.
They don't care that you have to hit the anchors hard to avoid rear-ending them.

However, I take your point.
That is what I mean about local knowledge.
It is important for new road-riders to get this kind of specific info.
It is vital, if they are to survive.

 

[CamXC]

I ride to work in traffic everyday and even when you think that a driver or pedestrian sees you they may pull out or step in-front of you.
Car on car crashes cause dents but car on bike cause pain and will leave you with you spending time off your bike (catching annoying public transport).

Join in with a monthy critical mass ride - help make motorists and everyone aware that you have a right to be on the road too. It's heaps of fun and happens around the world at all major city on the last Friday of the month.

 

[rhysrhysbaby]

http://fixed.org.au/forums/index.php/topic,3359.0.html

erle
Posts: 70
Re: Today was the first time...
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2007, 09:12:20 AM »

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The story goes, I was riding along a narrow st, and some asshole swerves at me a little bit because i was taking up too much road(according to him), I flipped him off and he stopped to have a word. It was a pretty standard exchange, I mentioned that driving a Porsche didnt mean he owned the road, he told me I wished I had a car like that, keep dreaming etc.. I Said the only thing I dream about is him crashing that thing.
He jumped out, spat at me, shoved me, and then after some bystander stepped in, the dude got back in his car and as he did, mentioned that he drives that street every day, and pulled his gun out and kind of motioned it at me.

 

[dcrofty]

I knew I should be packing heat on my morning commute for a reason.

Shame he didn't get the rego.