Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by heather on February 21, 2012 at 10:59

Re the comments at the link. As usual drivers who do not fathom what it is like as a cyclist to be almost hit by a vehicle. A broken mirror pales into insignificance when compared with a person's life. Perhaps now the driver will look for cyclists. There was a pro-cyclist comment -- The driver wasn't using the mirror so he didn't need it.

Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on February 21, 2012 at 11:55

At the risk of being howled down here, I think the cyclist was in the wrong here. The car was already indicating and moving across when the bike began to undertake, he should never have put himself in that position.

Permalink Reply by Dstone on February 21, 2012 at 12:49

Kinda agree with you matt. Not to mention he wasn't paying attention to the car in front and had to do his sudden stop.

Permalink Reply by Alastair (A-Man) Dowler on February 21, 2012 at 12:45

The action by the cyclist cannot be condoned, his approach is what damages us all.

Permalink Reply by Tim on February 21, 2012 at 13:23

The media in this country is out of control. Who wrote that script? What damages us all is the media and their insane agenda to promote resentment and violence against vulnerable road users - and the lack of any political will to do anything about it, in fact the political will is a polar opposite if the new govt. in NSW is anything to go by. Duncan Gay minister for cars.

"That's the thing about traffic. If you are in a car you can bully a cyclist and there is nothing they can do about it*. After a cyclist tried to ride down the road, this car driver didn't care if they killed or seriously injured the cyclist and simply drove at them. Even though the car had a registration plate and the driver could be identified the police were unwilling to take any action." - happens everyday.

*Well I guess there is - you can break the car mirror and create a storm of anti-cyclist vitriol in the media on the other side of the planet. WTF.

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on February 21, 2012 at 15:41

I like the De-humanization of the cyclist"tried to change lanes no matter who or WHAT was in its way". cyclists are people too, not objects. this dehumanizing of us has helped people go that extra step into pursuing violence against a cyclist. you might think differently if you thought of the cyclist as someones dad, mother, brother sister son or daughter etc. but by thinking of them as "an it" ie a faceless enemy, it becomes easier to go on the offensive, just ask the military.
That said the cyclist didn't help himself by undertaking and  getting violent. not something I approve of at all.

Permalink Reply by Tim B (the running man) on February 21, 2012 at 15:41

Interesting the ad before the video is for a car.

Permalink Reply by Biffidus on February 22, 2012 at 9:22

I don't think news.com.au likes cyclists... here's the full video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESo0Ig9fJ3A

Permalink Reply by Eugene Suleau on February 22, 2012 at 9:33

Good find.

Permalink Reply by Womble on February 22, 2012 at 11:42

Saw the same clip on Youtube, also noticed its not even from Australia.  Bit tired of the media trying to inflame things and baiting motorists.

Permalink Reply by Ian Rawley on February 22, 2012 at 12:14

I think the silver car was being overly aggressive with his filtering manouver.  He was so keen to get across he nearly scraped down the side of the black car well before the cyclist got involved.  The cyclist was also changing lanes and for what reason in that traffic with no cycle lane no one was going anywhere fast and he had to brake sharply twice. In my opinion they were both at fault 50/50. The cyclist shouldn't have passed the silver car on the inside while he was indicating to come across, Both got what they deserved...Both Dickheads!