Thursday, February 20, 2014

Cyclists: lose the angry pills

I can't help but feel the way cyclists conduct themselves on and off the bike doesn't contribute much to their safety on the road. Cyclists often seem to have a hair trigger and totally lose the plot at even quite mild, sensible discussion or the most trivial of driving issues.

Now Remember, I'm a roadie and commuter myself. I'm well aware that studies have shown motorists are typically the wrongdoers in accidents involving cars and bikes and that cyclists aren't nearly as well protected as drivers and thus suffer ramifications of accidents far more severely.

I just though feel that launching straight into a bitter rant (be it on Facebook, or the road) and leading out with a statement like "all drivers are dickheads", totally puts the motorists offside, so they'll shut down and stop listening, thus stopping you make any decent points and perhaps changing their behaviour. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

It also adds to the idea that cyclists are illogical psychos that don't listen to reason. That's not helping. Showing we are entirely sensible and reasonable people does far more for the cause.

So keep this in mind next time you're involved in a fracas, be it on the road, on the internet or a chat at the office. No dramas taking a nice firm, clear, pro cycling position, but make sure it's not a bitter rant. That might be the popular route with mates in the cycling club, but you'll probably do some damage to how cyclists are perceived and treated.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Lycropia: the reason the cyclist road toll is up?

This is bloody interesting (and an exceptional ad):



It's funny - I knew what was coming (I'd seen a similar test in Mythbusters, with a zombie rather than break dancing bear) and I still missed it.

The ad sums it up well - if you don't consciously look for something even while concentrating, you probably won't see it. This article in the NZ Herald reaches an identical conclusion. It's also perhaps THE reason there are so many cyclist - car crashes of late (and the stats show drivers are by and large the at fault party).

I'm coining the term Lycropia - the cycling version of myopia (near sightedness). Drivers have a blind spot for cyclists. And people are dying as a result.

And fluro lycra doesn't address the issue either - if a bear suit & moonwalking won't fix it, a bright shirt won't either.

This actually makes perfect sense to me, and explains a few incidents. (yes, it's anecdotal, but indulge me this once). I was crossing the road at Bronte beach the other day, and for those who don't know Bronte there's two steep road decents feeding into the beachfront. A family was crossing the road at the base of one of the decents (not at the pedestrian crossing BTW before you ask), and I saw the father and two kids look up the hill right at the cyclist. It was a bright day, the sun was behind us, the rider was maybe 15 meters away - literally impossible to get a better view of the cyclist. Yet having looked squarely at him, they stepped straight out and damn near got skittled (I reckon the cyclist was probably doing 50 odd, so it would have been ugly). I can only guess they were looking for cars and Lycropia kicked in.

Of course rather than apologise, and clearly being in the wrong, the pedestrian parents proceeded to give the cyclist an earful.

So cyclists: be aware of lycropia, and never assume anyone has seen you.

And drivers & pedestrians: Appreciate cyclists are in fact road users , and make sure you are looking for them.

And authorities: get this ad on the Telly post-haste

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Pedestrians: Sometimes Victims, Sometimes Perpetrators

If I'm writing a blog about cycling safety, at some point I need to address pedestrian issues......try googling cyclist and pedestrian.

Pedestrians and cyclists are uncomfortable bed fellows. Incidents are disturbingly commonplace. Yes, cyclists are banned from riding on sidewalks, but there are increasingly large numbers of "shared zones". The laws for shared zones place the responsibility for avoiding crashes squarely on cyclists, with signs stating Give way to Pedestrians such as these:


The problem being cyclists also need to adhere to the laws of physics. So if a pedestrian decides they want to run across the path to get a picture of the cute schnauzer, things can end badly for both the cyclist and pedestrian.

So my tips for cyclists riding in shared zones:
  • Drop your pace. If you want to put the hammer down, do it in a more appropriate spot.
  • Announce your presence. Ring your bell, or call out (something like "cyclist on your right") when you are approaching. 
  • Give the pedestrians a wide berth. The more the better. They may have been wearing an MP3 player or be tuned out and not heard your call/bell.

And my tips for pedestrians:

  • Be aware you are in a shared zone and make sure your behaviour reflects that. Take a look before changing directions, keep to the left side and don't walk five abreast down the path.
  • Don't tune out just because you're off the road
  • Cyclists move at varying speeds (anything from 10-35 km/h on flat terrain, depending on the rider and situation). Make sure you look long enough to assess their speed before crossing their path.
  • Don't push to the front at traffic light crossings. It's quite amazing how often pedestrians will push past waiting cyclists at a don't walk sign, in spite of the fact the cyclist was there first, and the cyclist will have to pass them within 5 meters