Cycling Licence

GT1965

I'm not sure that $12.00 would actually cover the admin costs involved in issuing a license especially if there's a picture on it. I'm only saying this as my six year old son rides a bike and is he expected to have a license as well? Remember that 99.9% of us first rode a bike when we weren't able to see over the counter to buy lollies.

I don't believe more regulations are needed but better education. Who is better to teach a rider more than another rider.

The point has been made that most cyclists are also drivers. Do we drive our cars the same way we ride our bikes? I think not because if we did the road toll would be ten times higher. Then why is that when some one jumps on a push bike the part of the brain that reminds us of the road rules seems to go into hibernation? I'm not just talking about running red lights and riding down the middle of tram tracks in the city, I was thinking of all the riders that ride on foot paths, that keep cycling through areas that have signs up saying no bike riding because there's no room for riders and pedestrians.

I was wondering why people would consider bringing in a bike license. It's just our behaviour in general. Most non-cyclists I know think that we are scum and are weird. That we hog the road, run red lights and don't give way.

We all support the rights of cyclists ( I would scream all night about it if someone asked me too) but isn't it about time ALL cyclists also took on the responsibilites as well? If this license comes to pass we only have ourselves to blame.

As a footnote about the old gentlemen being killed by a cyclist. Next time that when that comes up in conversation point out that over the last ten years only 1 pedestriation has been killed by a cyclist but over 15 push bikers have been killed by cars in Victoria.
Info gleaned from Vic Police.

j.r.hawkins

People's morals generally go out the window when they think they won't get caught. In the case of bikes, it's because we're anonymous and not identifiable. No registration plates or any other markings that would allow us to be traced and held to account.

I'll admit to riding the footpath when the traffic's been thick. However, it's as much from a sense of self-preservation for my body and respiratory system as frustration, and I've even seen the cops down at The Rocks in Sydney's Circular Quay do the same. I always yield to those dumb and unpredictable sheep we call pedestrians, whom I regard as an even greater safety hazard than cars. I ride too fast to mix with them safely anyhoo.

Two interesting snippets from NSW and Australian Road Rules:

• we are allowed to overtake down the left hand side of a line of stationary traffic and go to the head of the queue, so long as noone is indicating to go left
• we can go through a red light, so long as we've waited for a period equivalent to one full cycle before proceeding with caution.

I'm assuming the reason for the latter is that the magnetic sensors (those tar-filled rectangles cut into the road in front of the solid white line) don't pick up aluminium bikes.

matagi

Hmm, someone clearly has a death wish.

nerdag

FWIW, 90% of the time, the sensors will detect me on my bike, even when I am the only "vehicle" on the road.

j.r.hawkins

I'm not so lucky. About one in 5 or 6 for me.

Archibald

the same could be said of motorists...

licence idea is rubbish.

Russ Reynolds

Big game tonight mate. I must admit, I'd like to see you get up over the Roos.
Geez I'm gett'n soft in my grumpy old age.

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DON'T TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY....... IT AIN'T PERMANENT !

Russ Reynolds

Yea, we established that. But if you go to 'nerdag' and my solution back at post 6 & 7. We came up with the perfect solution. In fact the RTA have contacted us already. They are so impressed with our solution to the problem that they will be implementing it later this year with all royalties being split 50/50.
It certainly pays to take these threads seriously hey.

__________________
DON'T TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY....... IT AIN'T PERMANENT !

scotty72

Just brilliant

but we should extend it.

Mothers pushing prams are a real pain, always bumping into others

licence them - penalty = Confiscate pram (and baby?)

Joggers listening to ipods who get in everyone's way.

licence - penalty = confiscate shoes

pedestrians (see above)

just brilliant because we don't have enough stupid bureaucracy already

SCotty

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2006 Scott Speedstar S10

Garyh_GONP07

Licence who!? I am personally troubled by mothers walking or jogging with those dreadful 3-wheeled strollers along shared pedestrian/cycling paths (where I live, one each along the length of the Barwon River). They're often bopping along to an iPOD stuck in their ears with dog(s)(ss)(sss) wandering around like untethered depth charges. I think 3-wheeled strollers should be banned on bike/pedestrian paths (as witness the horrible drowning recently on the River Torrens bike path, Adelaide, when a stroller wandered from the path and plunged into the pea-green river!).

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Archibald

who says i didn't take it seriously?
i was referring to driver training - nothing to do with riders carrying their drivers licences.
the current driver training and licencing system is far too lenient. a driver's licence is a privilege not a right.
but good on the media for beating up the cars vs cyclists/trucks carryon we're currently seeing.
it's about responsible use of the roads by ALL road users.
there's a bigger picture here, think about it.

1id10t

I think people should be more considerate and shed their selfish ways and to slow down (life's too short to always be in a rush).
I commute most days from the upper north shore in Sydney to the CBD. Most days I go down the Pacific Highway and do the same going home. Other times I head out along a longer route for the fun of it. I use the road most often and generally ride with the same attitude and (hopefully) courtesy as I would when driving. I stop at lights and I rarely cycle between a long line of stationary cars only to make them pass me again metres down the road. However, some days (particularly wet and/or very windy days I get off the road and onto the footpath. I value my safety first; particularly now that I have 7 month old twins. However I don't ride the footpaths through shopping disctricts. I will either get back onto the road or otherwise walk the bike. Also, many times I have come across pedestrians in which case I either give a very wide berth at a very slow pace and try to show my intention so as not to alarm them or otherwise I will pull over to the side if there is not much room and stop until they pass. As a result I have had many occassions where the pedestrian(s) have thanked me for my action. I find it takes little time off my commute home doing this. I know it's not right to be on the path but, as I said, I value my safety. I don't care what rights I believe I should have on the road; that's not going to stop some idiot motorist from taking me out. I have enough confidence to ride on highways and the like but I alter my ride according to the circumstances (weather, road conditions etc).
I don't think licencing is the key. I agree education would be better. However, I think it's going to be a hard struggle to change attitudes of non cyclists. Every bit helps though and I hope I am doing my part but being courteous.

Laterider1958

Hi there 1idIOt,

I think the secret is to ride very defensively. Expect the unexpected and be a responsible cyclist. I use hand signals (even though many cyclists around my city don't seem too). At least in doing that I'm doing my level best to advertise my intentions and motorists won't have reason to complain about my riding. I do worry that I seem invisible to some drivers, despite wearing light coloured clothing.

Night riding is a whole new kettle of fish. My lights are very bright (especially the wide red rear one) and I prefer to use the blinking settings for added impact. I have found that the headlight is not broad enough to indicate sticks, pot-holes and other hazards until you are almost upon them. Summer night riding would be wonderful if it could be done safely. (Once, while riding home at dusk, I came across a collapsed section of the bike lane large enough for my front wheel to go down - from a distance it just looked like a shadow or wet spot, it was only when I got closer that I realised what it was.)

I don't ride on paths not designated for cycling and use the bike lanes wherever possible. Have found that it is better to reroute my trip to avoid hazardous intersections even if it means a few more km's - after all I'm trying to keep fit (and staying alive is a high priority).

I do wonder about the wisdom of the road rule allowing kids to ride on the footpaths. Have seen some local young ones pelting along past many driveways, racing each other. They aren't looking for danger and I fear that a slow moving car reversing from a property will collect somebody oneday. I don't know if this has already happened somewhere. It just worries me when I drive. And, I don't know what the solution is to that one.

1id10t

Hi Laterider



I believe I'm a reasonably defensive rider as well as motorist. I am always scanning ahead and trying (reasonably successfully) to read the intentions of others whether they be motorists, pedestrians or other cyclists. Although I spend more time on the road I will minimise the risk of injury where I deem necessary and by whatever means (hopefully without impacting on the safety, rights or comfort of others).


Isn't it ever!! Once daylight savings has ended the number of lights I attach increases with the shortening hours. I can have up to three rear lights and two front lights. I may sometimes take along (and wear) a reflective armband along with light coloured or even flouro jerseys or vest. I have even had a helmet mounted light so that I could point it at drivers but this still fails to make them stop and they end up turning in front of me. Fortunately I am usually prepared for this situation already.


My trip to work is all on road and it doesn't bother me. Unfortunately I don't like the straightest trip home. The highway constantly changes from three lanes to two several times along the way. Although I will ride it some days I find the motorists driving recklessly. Strangely, Fridays are good as most people (I assume) have stayed back in the city for drinks or whatever. Thursdays can be hectic with late night shoppers. Other days are varied. I have tried various routes (mostly onroad). I don't follow a specific route home now and use one of four ways (I like to mix it up anyway; gets boring otherwise).


I wouldn't subject kids to the same rules as adults when it comes to cycling. I think it would be a massacre. Could you imagine the same children who pelt along on paths on the roads?! Reports of accidents would dramatically increase I would think. I think kids also need to be educated. Unfortunately this comes back to my belief that it's not only the education a program or government body could provide but one which begins at home which teaches the respect of others, courtesy, common sense and all those wonderful things which seem to be an increasingly rare commodity.