Hit by motor vehicle

Guest

You think it's bad there in SA, try riding over here in my country. That's why I always ride at like 5 or 6 in the morning. It's bad enough being on the streets in a car. They should probably just pass a law where everyone is required to ride to and from work. Cars should only be allowed during certain times of the day (7 pm to 5 am). Wouldn't that be great?

Guest

The attack on a Gold Coast cyclist did take place yesterday.  Here's the editorial which appeared in a Gold Coast paper today:

IT would appear from recent tragic events and from a roadside bashing at Miami that cyclists are in grave danger whenever they travel on Gold Coast roads.
Darren Carson felt the force of antipathy or, indeed, outright rage towards cyclists in training when two carloads of men bashed him in front of start- led onlookers.
His crime? He apparently stood his ground when insulted by a driver.
It was understandable that Mr Carson made a comparison between his frightening experience and that of triathlete Luke Harrop who was killed while riding his bicycle at Robina 13 days ago.
In the wake of Luke's death, many cyclists have complained that riding on Gold Coast roads all too often is a risky business.
It is true that negotiating vehicles past training cyclists can be tricky at times, mostly because few Gold Coast roads provide an adequate shoulder onto which the cyclists can move to make room for passing cars.
But at most it is a momentary obstacle which requires drivers to be patient for just a few seconds until the cyclists can be overtaken. The inconvenience caused by cyclists is minimal.
But apparently even such a brief encounter is too much for the occasional angry driver.
Cyclists are regularly abused on the Gold Coast and put in danger by motorists who would rather sideswipe or attack them than wait a moment or two for the road to clear.
Despite what these motorists may think, cyclists are entitled to use the road as much as anyone else.
The provocative attitude towards cyclists on the Gold Coast is at odds with the attitude displayed in many other parts of Australia and indeed with most of the world's great cities.
In many Asian cities, where cycles far outnumber cars, cyclists naturally are given as much respect as any driver.
The same holds true for many European cities where cycling is a traditional form of transport.
But on the Gold Coast, where the car is king, cyclists had better watch out.
It's a dangerous mindset that simply has to change.
If it doesn't, the deaths and injuries from cycling on our roads surely will continue.


Bring on "A Current Affair" :P

ewep

I live in Alberton SA and must confess that, except for 1 stupid driver that nearly hit my wife, all the drivers I've come across were and are great.  Even the big, dangerous taxi drivers give way to the cyclists (and runners).

I must confess that the traffic department doesn't try to catch or even warn anyone that is a danger.  After the incident with the car and my wife I reported it to the traffic dept.  I was told that I could only lay a charge/complaint AFTER someone was hit  :-[ . Now that can only happen in SA.

__________________
Biking or NOTHING!

Guest

ewep, where about in Alberton are you ? This incident was going past the KFC in Brakenhurst.

Do you cycle to the Lido on weekends ? Maybe we should meet up.

Guest

Thought I liked to mention an incident that happened on  Saturday to me with a Taxi Driver.

I was cycling home , when straight out from a side road came a Taxi , I slammed the brakes on leaving some tread behind :'( and came to a stop just touching the side of the taxi,  I explained that he was a naughty boy and would he please refrain from doing that kind of thing.

Not wishing to go in front of the car I went around the back only for the t**t to put the car in reverse and come back towards me as I tried to continue on my journey.

Deciding that he was a lost cause I cycled off fuming.

Today being Monday, I went to work only for a work mate to come up to me and say " did my driver upset you at all " it appears that he was in the Taxi at the time.

He said he heard to wheel skid looked out the window and saw me, he then went on to explain that the driver thought I was making a fuss over nothing because I didn't get hurt (this time)

Guest

Happens all too often.  I read about a similar situation in the Gold Coast hinterland on Saturday.  Again driver not prepared to accept responsibility for actions.

Guest

What happened there?  I was riding in the hinterland on Sunday, but I haven't heard about this one yet.

Guest

Truck and cyclist at Mt Tambourine.  Driver no patience, double centre line, no room, oncoming traffic.  Cyclist squeezed.  Cyclist meet up with the driver down the road. Driver offered the typical "bloody cyclist" response.  Matter is being followed up with the driver's company and as I know it the police.

Guest

Hmmm...  I wonder what the legal ramifications of posting the name of the "driver's company" all over the Internet would be if he shows that sort of attitude...

Guest

I pondered the same question.  This site is above the quick and sensational one liner. 8)

Guest

Here's yet another.  I found this on cyclingnews.com on Friday 8 March.

A 38 year old Sydney cyclist has been seriously injured after a truck hit him on the M2 motorway near North Epping late on Wednesday night. Michael Howarth, a member of the Lidcombe-Auburn cycling club, was riding home to Seven Hills after work at 11:30pm when the crash occurred. He was wearing reflective clothing and his bike was equipped with flashing lights, and he was riding in the left hand breakdown lane, with plenty of room between him and the traffic.

A traffic camera filmed what happened next: A white Toyota Dyna van suddenly veered to the left (off the main road) and struck Howarth, sending him flying into the air. The van then swung to the right and resumed its course.

Howarth was found on the ground by passing motorists who called the police and ambulance. He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries and has already had two operations. Doctors say he is in a critical condition.

Police are trying to determine whether the accident was deliberate, in which case the driver could be facing a charge of attempted murder.

Anyone with information should contact the Parramatta Crash Investigation Unit on 9689 7370 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The news came as a shock to several Cyclingnews staff members who know Mike Howarth (who is a former member of Randwick-Botany cycling club) personally. We extend our best wishes to him and his family.

Guest

It's fairly obvious what's happened here.  It will be an interesting test of our legal system...

Guest

Well i got hit by a car yeterday :'( and my bike is absoulutely wrecked. my $1500 where bent front and back also the gear levers are twisted (might be ok) the front chain rings are also bent and the fork is twisted. the car pulled out in front of me when i was going 45kph. i hit the car and flew and hit the ground. at least i can walk today (painfully) i am very sore . my knees are sooo sore and my leg too at least nothing broke. ill tell you the whole story later. back to bed

Guest

a perfect solution - eye for an eye.
Let the stupid @#$%^ righteous motorist stand on the side of the road and let cyclists go past and take shots at him with pieces of his/her own @#$%^ car.

I lived in Adelaide for 14 years and never had an incident. I move to Brisbane and it's almost a "whenever I'm on my bike theres a friggin incident"
Motorists up here are @#$%^ most of the time. That's being general but most of them can't drive properly. My proof? There is an advanced driving course you can take here which sez alot for the unadvance driver huh.

roKeMS