So They think They Own The Road....
I read with interest this morning in the letters to the editor in the Advertiser about a chap who isn't happy that cyclist are using the Cove Rd, Hallett Cove, instead of the cycle trail. Firstly I can't believe the Advertiser would print such an uneducated letter. This road is in fact, for all road users not just cars. The Cove Rd is not a freeway nor is it an expressway with signs saying who and who can't use the road. If a horse rider was riding on the footpath on the Cove Rd a car is expected to slow to 25 Km when passing. If there was a school zone with kids on the footpath, cars are expected to slow to 25 km. If car drivers are expected to show these courtesies to these road users then why not to cyclists.
Perhaps there need to be stiffer penalties for motorists who toot, yell and abuse cyclists.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Trent on -
i always ride on the road when using that section as the bike path is horrid to ride on! i have often been abused by passing cars etc!
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Hall on -
Interesting idea....
But i must disagree Trent..
We cyclists spend half our time dreaming of better infrastructure, so if there is something there, i believe it is our 'duty' to use it.
Otherwise, we just look smug as 'it's not good enough'.
Something is better than nothing....
I ride that stretch of cycleway very regularly, don't have any complaints...but that is just me.
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Permalink Reply by Trent on
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each to their own Christopher. I have just found the path to not be a pleasurable surface to ride on and also other cyclists who come around the bends/down hill sections 2 abreast and encroaching on the opposite lane. Glass regularly litters the path as well. The road section is more than wide enough for a bike to be riding comfortably on the left and have a car go past them with no obstructions. Just because it is there doesnt mean we have to use it. As cyclists we have, as Trevor said, as much right to use the road section as the cars.
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Permalink Reply by Phil Crick on -
I have to agree with Trent here, that section of path is just plan crap, if you're going to build a path for us to use at least do it properly. Not only is it crap, it's dangerous too, one of the tailwind guys hit one of the bollards in the middle of the path (why are they even there?) at the weekend and broke bones.
I agree with the sentiment if there's a bike path then use it, but not in this instance.
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Permalink Reply by Steven Ellison on -
Now, I use both, if I am tired and slow I use the bike/walking path, remember its not exclusive to bikes, if I am full of energy and want to crack a good pace I ride the road because its dangerous to ride quickly on the path to ones self and other users.
I have also been tooted on this section of road at which time I gave a friendly wave even though I am sure they were not being friendly.
Its easy to blame drivers but where is the education, where are they supposed to get the knowledge from to handle conflicting situations with cyclists?
I have been on both sides of this and I understand but do not condone such behavior!
Sadly, I still see riders regularly ignoring the need of others sharing the roads, riding side by side when it leaves no room for anyone to pass! Its easy to understand where drivers get their irritations from at times.
Abuse is wrong, from either side!
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Permalink Reply by Ian Mawbey on
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I use the road too...always have even before the path was constructed. I agree, the path is horrid. Car users, or vehicles going quicker then a cyclist, just need to be a little more patient if there is an on-coming car. There are enough roadworks around at the moment (gas main, sexy duplication) you would think car users would get used to slowing briefly. I am a regular car user and try to set out on time, perhaps allowing for a stop or two. Some people are just hoons anyway. These people ought to spend time on a bike and get a reality check!!!
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Permalink Reply by Adam Williss on -
Definitely each to their own.
I always use the bike path along there. Strangely enough I don't get tooted at or abused. However, I do have to dodge i-pod zombies and families riding bikes - and I acknowledge their right to use the path courteously. I have no issue with the surface of the path - certainly no worse than the road.
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
I've never had a problem with the bike path either although it's a PITA walking through the train station. When I have used the road, usually past the station heading south I can't say I've had any abuse from drivers,
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Permalink Reply by Trent on
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lol must just be me that has had a dodgy time on that path! granted i havent ridden there for a couple of months so maybe i should give it another go..
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Permalink Reply by James Jordan on -
It a problem you see anywhere they install these shared path networks. In simple terms the limit the speed of cyclists to less then 25km/hr and create a hazzardous sitiuation for most users. This is then exasperated by the less informed, like the media, who constantly refer to them as bike paths.
Personally feel far safer in a on road bikelane. A recent study in the ACT actually showed that the shared path network was the most dangerous place for a cyclist.
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Permalink Reply by Mikael Liddy on
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Trevor as far as I can see your two biggest problems are here:
letters to the editor in the Advertiser about a chap who isn't happy that cyclist are using the Cove Rd, Hallett Cove
Generally speaking, the letters to the editor section of any newspaper is all about people who would even be laughed off by the shock jocks on talkback radio having somewhere to vent their spleen. Reasoned debate does not live there...
I can't believe the Advertiser would print such an uneducated letter
Based on the ignorant guff that's printed in every other section of the paper, I can't see why they would stray from the formula when choosing which letters to print...
In all seriousness though, the motorists that can actually be bothered to write a letter to the editor complaining about something like this will always have a problem with you, whether you're on the road or on the 'bike path'. That same person is probably decrying the pollies wasting his precious tax payer dollars on providing us with infrastructure as opposed to spending it on something 'worthwhile' that is in his/her interests each time they pass someone using the path.
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