Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doddsy on July 12, 2012 at 22:28

The good old Sunday Mail and Motor Accident Commision, so cycling friendly it hurts. 

Permalink Reply by Lucas Pittaway on July 13, 2012 at 1:58

I think losing your licence could be the best thing for, it opens up a community you would otherwise never explore.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Lynch on July 12, 2012 at 23:24

I have had a crash, but there were no cars involved.

My worry is that by publishing crashes we will reduce the appeal of cycling and frighten potential new cyclists?

Unless the article has a positive spin... I mean I'm back on the bike and loving it, that could make a good story.

Permalink Reply by Doddsy on July 12, 2012 at 23:48

You sound like a prime candidate. They'll find someone and If its not you it could be somebody who puts a negative spin on things. 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Lynch on July 13, 2012 at 0:01

Good point, maybe I'll contact her! I'm supposing given she's a rider too then she'd want a positive spin

Permalink Reply by Frank on July 13, 2012 at 8:50

Positive spin on a crash! Good work!

Hope the article does make it sound the way it really is out there and that is Dangerous!

Permalink Reply by Doddsy on July 13, 2012 at 19:37

Motor vehicles are the danger, bikes are safer. People always need to be reminded. 

We always need to mention things, eg. More funding, vulnerable road users legislation, better infrastructure, active transport checklist on all new road upgrades. 

Doing an interview about an accident that happened near the park lands can be good also, You can always mention how easy it is to make a cycle route that minimizes time spent in a pressurized traffic environment.. 

Permalink Reply by rossmg on July 13, 2012 at 9:36

Why doesn't she cover the guy who got doored on Hindmarsh Sq requiring stitches? He caught the whole incident on helmet cam, the woman who opened the door tells him he should not ride there and then the car drives away - a hit run. The police send a letter to the driver. What a complete joke.

Permalink Reply by Paul Jorgensen on July 13, 2012 at 11:10

I hadn't seen this thread until Heather brought it to my attention a few minutes ago.  Bike SA pointed Sunday Mail to me.  I was interviewed by phone this morning and will be having a photo shoot this afternoon (I am practicing sucking in my guts in Lycra now).  I think I was positive about cycling.  I was not positive about the door zone coinciding with bike lanes - suggested we need more separate bike tracks like Denmark etc.  I was not positive about police response.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on July 13, 2012 at 13:42

Paul good luck with the sucking the gut in thing. I was on the telly last week and the cameramen know when you are doing it and they wait until you can't hold it anymore not only is your stomach wobbling from the quick release you are also panting like carzy from holding your breath.

Permalink Reply by Ken the Dane on July 13, 2012 at 14:28

Good to hear Paul. Don't forget that the great advantages of the separated Danish bike tracks are:

They are in between pavement and road. If there are parked cars, then these work as a bufferzone inbetween cyclists and motorists. This location also ensure that only passengers (not driver) can cause the dooring, and considering most cars only have 1 person (the driver) this dramatically reduces the likelihood. I can't help to mention that all car drivers (99.9%) in Denmark has or perhaps still are cyclists which means they know to look out for cyclists. Drivers test includes getting out of car and turning head to look for cyclists - failing to do so means you fail (same for turning car etc.). It been a couple of months ago since I watched you video, but if that had been in Denmark the bike track would have been left of the bus (which would have meant you should stop for entering/disembaring bus passengers - unless there was a 'bus platform', which meant you would never have come into contact with any cars.

They are raised. Which means cars don't cross/mount the bike tracks unless unavoidable. When parking your car they serve as a nice ruffled granite edge which will remind your tyre and rim not to get to close.

They are maintained. Generally the surface is very smooth, making for a comfortable ride, since no cars/trucks or heavy traffic is allowed to destroy/dent the bitumen and hence allows the bitumen to stay great.

As some of the members of this site will already have noticed this is one of my favourite topic, and make me sound like a broken record, but we can keep painting bike lanes from here to the moon and we will still be miles from having decent bicycle infrastructure in this country.

Permalink Reply by Paul Jorgensen on July 13, 2012 at 15:02

Thanks Kenneth.  Much better than my description.  I have sent it to Sunday Mail.  You can tell from my last name that I am biased to the Danish system!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page