Postby fatdudeonabike » Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:30 pm
Must be the week for it... And to think my aim all along in getting my bike was to be able to ride my bike to work and avoid school traffic! Today was only the second time I've ridden to work.
Anyway, I posted earlier in the moron motorist thread about a bogan ute driver (as in it was a bogan ute - white, filthy, 1980s style), who I'm pretty sure was drunk, was driving all over the road up Northbourne avenue. Just after the Barton Highway turn off, he's nearly hit a car in the right lane, over corrected, and hammered straight through the cycling lane into a driveway (I think it's a driveway to the vet there... I've never even noticed that driveway before). 2 metres quicker and I would've been well knackered. He was that close. In the 7 hours since it happened, I've been racking my brain to think of a moment when I've ever been more scared for my life. I can't think of anything. And that includes a car-induced bike accident, and a recent car accident.
On topic - I just saw this story on the news update during the cricket. Looked and sounded horrific. Best wishes to old mate - and if he is here, try and check out the Win News footage. They've had no qualms showing your face in probably the most pain you've ever been in...
On recumbent - they are hard to see. You can be defensive and cranky, and slander the driver all you like. I'm going assume that this guy had a flag and everything - but if he doesnt? Well I just dont think the outrage is warranted.
Even when they do have a flag, I know driving a Forester with the bonnet shape and the slightly higher off the ground style, they are a pain in the nuts to see unless you see that flag, or unless you've seen the rider really early on. In peak hour traffic, its going to be hard to see them early on. When driving you just arent looking for a little orange flag.
I would never, ever ride a recumbent - certainly not during peak hour. This isnt any sort of reflection on the many in this city that ride recumbents, but for me? This mode of transport (cycling) is already dangerous enough for me in my limited experience that I'd never put myself a half a meter off the ground, below bonnet height for many cars, and feel as though I'm not going to be run over.
edit: only just realised it was 7.30 this morning... I'd assumed from the pictures I saw on the news update that it was afternoon.