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Comment by stephen on July 11, 2011 at 22:21

Looks like some are thinking about lifting the ban on hire commuter cycle usage without a helmet in Brisbane.

When you drive or hire a car or get on a buss you don't need to bring a helmet do you - why cyclists ?

 

Courier Mail article July 11, 2011

 

Comment by Lee-Anne on May 17, 2011 at 17:32

HI,

Ive just been doing some reserach on cycling facilities in Adl and while reading the 'Safety in Number - a Cycling Strategy for SA 2006-2010' i noticed one avenue they are looking at is :

;promore the free call # 1800018216 arterial road hazard reporting service for cyclists enabling them to report hazards such as potholes, dropped loads, crash debris and broken glass'

 

Full Document here

 

Thought i'd pass on the info if you are interested

Lee-Anne

Comment by stephen on February 21, 2011 at 17:03

Hi All

I just joined the group as you have some interesting discusions.
I agree with the group premise that bicycles can happily share the roads without a problem. I feel that bicycles have characteristics of both cars and pedestrians.

One thing that bothers me is some cyclists attitude that on road bicycle lanes are just for bicycles- Some cyclists seem to have a heart attack if they see a car go into one and think they should be building concrete walls around every bike lane - I have no issues with cars using them when parking and turning or even motorcycles using them during conjestion if they keep the speed down - road side bicycle lans are handy for emergency vehicles and turning cars too.

What is the view on bicycles sharing footpaths and pedestrain areas ?
If bicycle users have the common sense and courtesy keep a safe speed when near people ie running or walking speed there is no hazard to anyone. In the case of those over 12 who don't yet have driver training the existing no riding on footpaths law is placing them in danger by forcing them onto the road where they may not yet be comfortable.

FYI started the helmet-less cyclist group here at adelaide cyclists maybe some of you are interested in this also ?

http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/helmetlessriders

The general premise is helmets should not be mandated for pedestrains , car drivers or cyclists unless they are actively involved in racing where it would be up to the race organisers to lay down the rules not the law. Ie car racing drivers wear helmets, normal car drivers dont - it should be the same with cyclists - how do members of this group see the bicycle helmet issue - it's good to wear a safety helmet sure but should it be law for all road users ?
 
Or should bicycles be afforded the same liberty as car drivers and pedestrians ?
Presently bicycles users are treated as a special group and singled out to carry a helmet with them to ride a bike ? The bike share scheme in melbourne is a good example where potential commuter/utility bikes users are somehow expected to carry around helmets everywhere to be able to ride them. The scheme is vastly under utalised with no chance of ever recompensating it's cost or even covering maintainance and running costs because of the restrictive mandatory helmet laws.

Regards Steve.

Comment by Bicycle Fish on May 2, 2010 at 13:20

In hindsight, I realise I should have entitled this Group " Share the Roads". Readers with longer memories may remember that this was a publicity slogan used in SA a few years ago, emanating from the then Dept of Transport, which at the time had a specialised bicycle promotion & planning unit ( " Bike South" ) which I think is now defunct. This STR slogan was not unique to SA, or even to Australia. Tho it was never explained, I believe it was a US idea, originating in the traffic planning sector, there, that was imported as an off the shelf concept by Australian traffic departments. Here in SA, it took the form of a bumper sticker & some associated phamphlets, even a few TV spots. Personally, tho I liked the concept, I always found the Australian - different in each State - treatments weak & gimmicky : the SA one was particularly silly looking, featuring a comical cartoon figure riding a bike with a Noddy car alongside, you still see these ocassionally on car bumpers. Anyway, it struck me as odd that there was never any material to use on a *bike* ie no bike sticker , no T shirt etc. There * were* some T shirts once, worn to events by Bike South staff, but never produced for the masses. ( I eventually made my own, to the US design, much stronger message, and I still have a few for $5.00 each - don't rush me ...)... Exploring further, I came across the ProBike website, and the shades were lifted frm my eyes. , as I came to question the idea that bicycles are some special all-round good guys who should get everything they demand, no matter what the cost in $ or rationality. These days, I think of my cycling as a *part* of a traffic system like several others - I look for respect from the other modes, and usually receive it. I perceive at least as much anti-social behaviour from cyclists as i do from motorists & bus drivers. I also have to think that *most* times I go out for 10 or 15 km of urban travel, *one* or 2 cars will go too close - but *hundreds* will treat me courteously ... most people are happy to share the roads, it's a tiny minority that refuse to do so, yet bicycle "advocacy" ( particularly the looney fringe like Critical Mass...) insists that "cars" are the enemy, when in fact it's hoonery that's the real issue... ( now I need to test Ning's capacities..more soon ...)

Comment by Bicycle Fish on April 7, 2010 at 9:49

see http://probicycle.com/. I just sent a message to the group explaining what "Same Roads..." is meant to represent, ie a simple tolerance between cars & bikes that allows each to use the road under the same rules, same rights etc. Many "committed" cyclists appear NOT to accept that co-existence ( eg critical Mass, "One car less" etc), which places them in permanent opposition : there will *always* be cars, at least in our lifetime, so why push an impossible line? And before an interest in pedestrians gets out of hand in this group, let me say that pedestrians have the footpath, while vehicles ( bikes & cars, perhaps gophers etc) have the road ! Some of my best friends are pedestrians, but apart from being oppressed sometimes ( eg by footpath cycling), they don't belong here in a *cycling* forum dedicated to *vehicular cycling*. Cheers / BF

Comment by Alexander Langman Hender on April 6, 2010 at 12:28

That's pretty good, Jim.

I think that it might be worth recognising pedestrians (silly people :-) ) in the image as well. Thoughts?

Comment by Alexander Langman Hender on April 6, 2010 at 10:35

I haven't found one yet but I'm contemplating what it might look like.

We'll probably end up drawing one ourselves!

Comment by Bicycle Fish on April 3, 2010 at 19:17

Yes Alexander, a suitable graphic would be nice. I'd be obliged if you have found one ...

Comment by Alexander Langman Hender on April 1, 2010 at 10:33

Are you looking for an original graphic to display the Same Road, Same Rights, Same Rules concept?

Comment by Bicycle Fish on March 31, 2010 at 19:31

As co-ordinator/originator for this little group, I am trying to find an appropriate graphic, which is proving difficult so far ...