When Opening Car Doors - Look 1st - Page 4

XAGSV8 · 24-11-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty4

Everyone here has a difference of opinion, fair enough.
But this comment above really annoys me. Here in Melbourne we "used" (I use the term loosely) to have the Hell Ride along Beach Road every Sunday morning involving up to 100 cyclists, at a guess. (it still runs on a smaller scale)
They constantly ran reds and broke road rules. One morning during the ride they all ran a red at a pedestrian crossing and one of them ploughed straight into the elderly pedestrian who was crossing the road legally. He was killed by the cyclist!!

So it's not only the cyclist that has the potential to be injured if they choose to run a red.

If you were driving your car and a cyclist ran a red and caved in your door, they they proceeded to take off, could you identify them and try to get them to pay for the repair?

I agree that some form of registration and identification is required for the cyclists who use the roads for transport. It doesn't have to be the same as a car, motorbikes pay less than a car.

In the above incident, The cyclist hasn't paid any form of compulsory third party insurance that every other road user is required to.

Whats next skate boards and roller blades? Those damn people are tearing up our walkways.

MITCHAY · 24-11-2007, 09:23 AM

I always rode on the footpath when I had a bike. Don't see why they are banned from the footpath as it is much safer for everyone.

People can always step out of the way. It's not that hard!

What really annoys me is the morons who will ride on a major road when there's a perfectly good cycle way right next to it!

Anyways sorry about your accident and yes it is not hard to look before opening the door!

GT0132 · 24-11-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Awesome. Introduce a new government rego cost to use the roads. "Sorry son, Santa won't be bringing you a BMX on Christmas day. He forgot to get it registered and pay the tax, so we have to wait till after Christmas to get the bike once its been over the pits"

What next, you guys want a 2.5% stamp duty tax aswell?

Abso friggin lutely....If you use you pay. When my kids were BMX age they were forbidden from riding on the road.

Neeek · 24-11-2007, 09:53 AM

Some of the anti-cycling slangs on this thread are incredible!

I used to be a courier in London - some say that this is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. I have been run over by a fully-laden double decker bus because he didn't see and cut me up. I have been rear-ended by a cab. I have rear-ended a cab. I have been clipped by a car turning left behind me, leaving me to bounce down the road. The only thing I haven't "done" is be doored.

And you know what, back in my youth, if a car intentionally cut me up (and yes, you can tell), for being a cyclist, a courier, or indeed just holding him up, he would be singled out on the CB radio and have his door mirror forcibly removed by a kevlar-wrapped fist, or indeed a handlebar moving at speed. Either pushie or moto - whoever got there first. It wasn't right, but it made the car driver realise that mirrors are there for a reason and they have to share the road with everyone else on it.

Yes, it's a bit stupid, yes, it's illegal but it felt good even when I had to replace an electric and heated mirror on a BMW that I smashed off... they're expensive.

And you know what, if I ever met some of you out on the roads and you cut me up if I was on my bike and did so willingly simply because I'm a cyclist, I'd have the greatest pleasure in finding out how much it cost to reaplce your door mirror.

Deadman · 24-11-2007, 10:00 AM

I don't dispute that bike's are suppose to be on the road because they sure as hell shouldn't be on the footpath. But make them pay rego (and have a license plate) and CTP to use the road just like everyone else has to and hopefully we'll get rid of the idiots who give cyclists a bad name... Obviously I'm not saying high cost CTP or rego, but just something small, along with a license plate, just to make them think twice about running red lights etc...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I always rode on the footpath when I had a bike. Don't see why they are banned from the footpath as it is much safer for everyone.

People can always step out of the way. It's not that hard!

I won't and I don't. I force the fools out on to the road where they belong. The footpath is for pedestrians, bikes (legally) are suppose to be on the road. I'll be damned if I'm moving out of the way for them, they can move for me if they want to use the footpath. If I hear one more "ding ding" from one of these fools who is coming up behind me expecting me and my wife to scurry off the footpath and move out of the way for them, I swear I'm going to go postal

:

To the OP - sorry it's gone a little off topic. Glad to hear you're ok!! Yes, it's a shame people don't look before opening their doors - but we all know that's just one of the flaws of some of the idiots we have on our roads :( Good luck with a quick and full recovery

ltd · 24-11-2007, 10:05 AM

Sorry to hear about your accident mate, I would have thought it would diminish your driving ability to, what with your signalling finger being in such a bad way. Hope you're not in too much pain.

Anyway, I think the real point here is that regardless of what it is we should always look first, whether it be a car, pedestrian or even the normal flow of traffic. I am no champion of cyclists, especially the bicycle couriers in the city (one did a mirror, did a runner and later had a fat lip, black eye and a broken bike when he refused repeatedly to pay for the mirror); but I do appreciate the fact that we should all look in our mirrors before opening our doors. In some of the smaller streets in Sydney especially once you have parked, opening your door without looking will result in an accident with another car.

ltd · 24-11-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeek

Some of the anti-cycling slangs on this thread are incredible!

I used to be a courier in London - some say that this is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. I have been run over by a fully-laden double decker bus because he didn't see and cut me up. I have been rear-ended by a cab. I have rear-ended a cab. I have been clipped by a car turning left behind me, leaving me to bounce down the road. The only thing I haven't "done" is be doored.

And you know what, back in my youth, if a car intentionally cut me up (and yes, you can tell), for being a cyclist, a courier, or indeed just holding him up, he would be singled out on the CB radio and have his door mirror forcibly removed by a kevlar-wrapped fist, or indeed a handlebar moving at speed. Either pushie or moto - whoever got there first. It wasn't right, but it made the car driver realise that mirrors are there for a reason and they have to share the road with everyone else on it.

Yes, it's a bit stupid, yes, it's illegal but it felt good even when I had to replace an electric and heated mirror on a BMW that I smashed off... they're expensive.

And you know what, if I ever met some of you out on the roads and you cut me up if I was on my bike and did so willingly simply because I'm a cyclist, I'd have the greatest pleasure in finding out how much it cost to reaplce your door mirror.

It's funny you should mention the mirror thing, I feel vindicated for chasing this idiot down and belting the ever loving out of him. I was sitting in gridlock, he decided to try and squeeze his poofy bicycle between the cars. An absolute act of stupidity on his part, for after the damage he caused he refused to pay.

I agree, bicycles should be licenced and have insurance for this very reason, as most of them when questioned will refuse to pay for any damage. Think if it was your pride and joy, how would you react if some moron damaged it for no other reason than to get ahead of you, then refused to pay. You wouldn't be like, "oh no problem mate, I have too much money and now you've given me something to spend it on - thanks".

GT0132 · 24-11-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

It's funny you should mention the mirror thing, I feel vindicated for chasing this idiot down and belting the ever loving out of him. I was sitting in gridlock, he decided to try and squeeze his poofy bicycle between the cars. An absolute act of stupidity on his part, for after the damage he caused he refused to pay.

I agree, bicycles should be licenced and have insurance for this very reason, as most of them when questioned will refuse to pay for any damage. Think if it was your pride and joy, how would you react if some moron damaged it for no other reason than to get ahead of you, then refused to pay. You wouldn't be like, "oh no problem mate, I have too much money and now you've given me something to spend it on - thanks".

yep, they should be required to have insurance at a bare minimum...and also some means of identifying them if they happen to do a runner after damaging your vehicle.

In saying all this I believe it's only a minority of cyclists who are reckless...I too am a cyclist as well as a motorist and would only be too happy to pay $20 or so $$$ a year as a contribution to my road usage.

XRchic · 24-11-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

It's funny you should mention the mirror thing, I feel vindicated for chasing this idiot down and belting the ever loving out of him. I was sitting in gridlock, he decided to try and squeeze his poofy bicycle between the cars. An absolute act of stupidity on his part, for after the damage he caused he refused to pay.

I agree, bicycles should be licenced and have insurance for this very reason, as most of them when questioned will refuse to pay for any damage. Think if it was your pride and joy, how would you react if some moron damaged it for no other reason than to get ahead of you, then refused to pay. You wouldn't be like, "oh no problem mate, I have too much money and now you've given me something to spend it on - thanks".

Hmmmm.

We were driving in peak hour in town the other day. Pulteney St for those in Adelaide. Cyclist trying to ride inbetween parked cars on his left, and grid locked cars on his right. Came up to a spot that was way too narrow, there were two mirrors - a drivers side mirror on the parked Porsche Boxster, and the left mirror of the car in traffic.

He should have waited for the traffic to move and gone around, but no. Decided to barge on through. Took out the Boxster mirror and scratched the bumper with his pedal. The owner of the car was in it! She was tooting frantically for him to stop. Heaps of other drivers in the traffic saw it too, and were tooting, but couldnt move. No one could chase him. He turned around, looked at everyone and then calmly rode off.

If he had had some kind of identification, everyone would have seen it... but somehow I think he might have stopped if he had been identifiable. He didnt stop because he knew he could get away with it.

I see that stuff all the time in traffic in town! Not that bad, but bumpers scraped, holding on to the back of cars and buses, riding dangerously and causing near misses or accidents....

If they want to use the roads in the same way that cars do (as opposed to roller bladers etc) then they should be identifiable and pay some rego/insurance. A cyclist can cause as much carnage as a car in an accident, and perhaps if they were part of the system, they could be protected by it too.

As for this situation though, I really do hope your injury heals soon, especially given your issues with work and with Christmas coming up! It must be very painful too, so I hope you are on the mend quickly!

I honestly dont know why people dont check EVERYTHING behind them before opening a car door in traffic like that. I will always look behind me before opening the car door - I dont want a car or a bike taking out my door thanks! But at least these people hung around, were apologetic and will obviously foot the bill if required.

Everyone on the road should be considerate of each other, and I think that there are plenty of people on both sides who are at fault really.

Racecraft · 24-11-2007, 11:29 AM

when can travel at the speed limit, have registration, have CTP and third party property insurance, indicators, a horn and all the other paraphernalia that every OTHER road user requires, then you can ride on the road.. Until then, stay out of my way...

mutanti · 24-11-2007, 12:40 PM

So When you going to post up some pics of the damage...
I Also Cycle but on a mountain bike.
Most of My Riding is along the Murray River banks ,
Just a short ride from My House....

Hope you Heal up real Quick...

FlipXW · 24-11-2007, 12:58 PM

Some of the comments on here a rediculous. Going on what has been said I bet alot of you are the type of f-wits that throw out of you car windows at cyclists. I have had apples, oranges, maccas drinks you name it thrown at me by passing motorists for absolutely no reason. Some of you need to take a look at your selfish selves.

Smoke Pursuit · 24-11-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecraft

when can travel at the speed limit, have registration, have CTP and third party property insurance, indicators, a horn and all the other paraphernalia that every OTHER road user requires, then you can ride on the road.. Until then, stay out of my way...

I agree totally, its about time bikes had rego atleast plus some form of indicator system, ive seen these guys mingle with traffic without giving any sign of where they are going, it is truely scary.

Not to mention the fact that these guys dont realise that when your driving a truck / big car you need the full lane, they are only endangering their own lives plus other motorists through people having to cross lanes to miss them, total arrogance if you ask me. Theres plenty of bike tracks around that facilitate the need to ride a bike, its about time cyclists started to use them.

pauljh74 · 24-11-2007, 02:04 PM

The vehicles that are required to have licensed operators are all motorised. A horse is also classified as a vehicle, but no license is required nor rego.
Indicators on bikes? What did car drivers use before indicators were fitted? HAND SIGNALS! If a cyclist doesn't use hand signals to signal turns, indicators won't make a bloody difference! It's a fact that some drivers don't indicate either.

ID plates on bikes - people who are consistent flouters of the law will either not fit them, doctor the plates or fit stolen or fraudulent ones - just as some car drivers do. I see some car rego plates that have been tampered with to help avoid getting done by speed cameras.

The point about the Hell Ride and all the riders who run reds etc. The Hell Ride used to be a disciplined - if anyone played up, they got sent to the back. Now it's a free for all. The sum of the riders and their attitudes is the problem. Just as you might have problems if 100 cars in a group hit the road.

People here are crying out that cyclists should be off the road because they don't follow the rules - a minority of cyclists. Judging by that approach - there shouldn't be any cars either - they break the rules frequently - I'm more worried about drivers than cyclists whether I'm in a car or on a bike.
Cyclists are required to follow the road rules and are subject to penalties if they break them. Yes, many get away with it just as car drivers do. I see car drivers running a red light EVERY day near my house. There's an intersection with a right turn arrow and a right turn only lane. The car drivers in that lane go straight, effectively running the red. I haven't seen one get done yet.

Pedestrians are also road users (those footpaths aren't free you know) and cause accidents and are involved in them (drunk pedestrians stumbling out on the road without looking for example). We should hit them with rego and insurance as well as cyclists. But wait, that would mean EVERYONE would have to pay extra rego as a pedestrian on top of their car rego!

In the interests of self preservation, most cyclists will ride in a safe manner, because if they get hit, will end up in the hospital or morgue, the car will have a dented bonnet. That is why more car drivers are aggressive. How many times have you been cut off by a car forcing their way into your lane? How many times by a bike?

pauljh74 · 24-11-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSTerritoryGhia

Not to mention the fact that these guys dont realise that when your driving a truck / big car you need the full lane, they are only endangering their own lives plus other motorists through people having to cross lanes to miss them, total arrogance if you ask me. Theres plenty of bike tracks around that facilitate the need to ride a bike, its about time cyclists started to use them.

Pot calling the kettle black isn't it? "I need the full lane, so get out of my way" You go around them as you would any other slower vehicle, whether it be a tractor, bicycle, postie bike or a parked car. The onus is on you to overtake in a safe manner. If you were being overtaken by a bicycle for whatever reason, they would have to do the same. I suggest you start petitioning the government to increase the width of all kerbside lanes to accommodate a car and bike or just change lanes.
Bike tracks? The ones populated with pedestrians with their dogs, rough, and in places glass covered surface with overhanging branches and blind corners? The roads are used for the same reason you do, because they are more direct and the surface quality is better.

GT0132 · 24-11-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilXR8

Some of the comments on here a rediculous. Going on what has been said I bet alot of you are the type of f-wits that throw out of you car windows at cyclists. I have had apples, oranges, maccas drinks you name it thrown at me by passing motorists for absolutely no reason. Some of you need to take a look at your selfish selves.

If motorists are doing that to cyclists, which i have no reason to doubt you, that's damned irresponsible. However most motorists wouldn't resort to such childish antics, just a small minority.

In these circumstances teh cyclist should take a note of the car rego plate (I know that can be difficult while you're riding and have no pen and paper on hand) and then report them.

If the boots on the other foot and a cyclist throws rubbish into my passenger side window and a hard object hits one of my kids on the head the cyclist has no rego plate on which I can report him on and I can't get to him to beat the living crap out of him if I'm in a line of stationary traffic, he gets off scott free

GT0132 · 24-11-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

Pot calling the kettle black isn't it? "I need the full lane, so get out of my way" You go around them as you would any other slower vehicle, whether it be a tractor, bicycle, postie bike or a parked car. The onus is on you to overtake in a safe manner. If you were being overtaken by a bicycle for whatever reason, they would have to do the same. I suggest you start petitioning the government to increase the width of all kerbside lanes to accommodate a car and bike or just change lanes.
Bike tracks? The ones populated with pedestrians with their dogs, rough, and in places glass covered surface with overhanging branches and blind corners? The roads are used for the same reason you do, because they are more direct and the surface quality is better.

No problem at all with cyclists using roads provided they pay their fair share and become accountable for the actions of the arrogant minority who flout road rules. While there may well be some who would deface their rego plate (should licencing of bikes become mandatory) to avoid detection, I can't imagine this would be widespread.

Most motor vehicle owners don't purposely cover up or alter their rego plate before pulling out of their driveway to avoid detection at speed and red light cameras and I don't think cyclists would either.

I'd imagine courier bikers would already pay some sort of road levy given that they are riding their bike in the course of running a business...wouldn't they?

boss-290 · 24-11-2007, 02:47 PM

I have one thing to say on this matter.

If cyclists want to ride on the road with the rest of the traffic. They can pay rego and insurance.

Simple.

2002auxr6 · 24-11-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boss-290

I have one thing to say on this matter.

If cyclists want to ride on the road with the rest of the traffic. They can pay rego and insurance.

Simple.

i agree with that

FlipXW · 24-11-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozmale42

If motorists are doing that to cyclists, which i have no reason to doubt you, that's damned irresponsible. However most motorists wouldn't resort to such childish antics, just a small minority.

In these circumstances teh cyclist should take a note of the car rego plate (I know that can be difficult while you're riding and have no pen and paper on hand) and then report them.

If the boots on the other foot and a cyclist throws rubbish into my passenger side window and a hard object hits one of my kids on the head the cyclist has no rego plate on which I can report him on and I can't get to him to beat the living crap out of him if I'm in a line of stationary traffic, he gets off scott free

Yes i agree about that last point i would be mighty ****ed too.

As for stuff being thrown at cyclist out of car windows, i do a training loop that takes 2 hours 4 times a week, atleast 2 times a week i will have something pelted at me from a moving car. Needless to say, 1 day my mate (Aust rep track cyclist) his coach and I were riding down along the side of the freeway when a car load of fools not only threw stuff at us but stuck close by us and continually threw stuff for about 2 kms or so then took off. We later caught up to that car leaving a servo. By the time they could leave the driveway they were missing a mirror, had a very second hand looking tail light and 1 left with what would have been a very sore face. I'd put all my money on it that they would never do it again. And yes we did get there licience plate at the beggining but after we caught them we decided to 'STUPIDLY' i know, make them learn their lesson.

minheim · 24-11-2007, 03:06 PM

I ride a bike to work monday to Friday. It isn't a long ride only 9 km and a fair bit of it is on dedicated bike path in a central reserve or parkland but i share the road for the other half (with bike lanes marked). I ride because its easy being a flat ride and a good way to fit in some exercise. Its often quicker than me driving or getting public transport in peak hour. You quickly learn to drive defensively and to try and watch parked cars for door opening. I almost got collected last Thursday when someone in a line of parked cars opened without looking. Sure there are soon hoon riders; I've been sworn at on my bike at fstopping at red lights too by riders who pay no heed to rules. Hoon riders aside I can't undestand why some peak hour drivers are so rude to bike riders. The way I look at it I'm doing them a favour in there being one less car on the road in peak hour. As for paying rego etc for a bike well I'd gladly pay that if my car rego was not a flat rate but based on how many kms my car actually travels.

Justin@ · 24-11-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecraft

when can travel at the speed limit, have registration, have CTP and third party property insurance, indicators, a horn and all the other paraphernalia that every OTHER road user requires, then you can ride on the road.. Until then, stay out of my way...

I'm with you on this one....Too many times you see morons riding 2 or 3 abreast on the road. ignoring the road laws and just getting in the way.
Ban pushbikes from the road is what i think.

XR8putts · 24-11-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Now on to one of my pet hates, can I ask why you need to/were traveling 2 abreast? So your friend on your right (road side) got away unhurt? This is where you would have been if you were following one another and thus you wouldn't have been hurt? If not in a cycle race, I'd assume this is for social reasons? Why the Tour de France mentallity when not in a race..

I've quoted myself here because I'd like to hear what some the cyclists have to say about this, as it was ignored/not responded too.

The lack of accountability of their actions is my biggest gripe. I've seen a similar scenario of that examle of the Porchse Boxter window in a previous post - theres just nothing we can do without a rego plate. They can get away with anything and they usually do. What you cyclists need to understand is that there are more bad examples of you lot than there are good. And thats a shame, because I know many cyclists who are great and I'd share the road with them anytime, they are perfectly considerate on the road and follow rules. But these cyclists are in the minority on the roads.

Casablanca · 24-11-2007, 03:38 PM

i dont think thats quite fair honestly as this is a pointless argument over who should be on the road WAKE UP people everyone has a right to be on the road and YES i do know that there are plenty of on bikes and in cars but that is no reason to say that bikes should be off the road now i have encountered the throwing out the window at cyclist and also have had cyclists sit in the middle of the lane where he couldnt go anywhere near as quick and actually posed a danger on the road but seriously people this is a completely pointless discussion though i can see why the post was made.

how about:

motorists try and ride a bike for 10 kms either on footpath on trails or on the road you would be much more sympathetic if you did.

cyclists try driving behind someone who can only achieve 10 kmh an hour and will sit in front of you for no reason other than he thinks he owns the road.

EVERYONE JUST NEEDS TO GET OVER IT AND LEARN TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE THINGS ARENT GOING TO CHANGE FOR A BLOODY LOND TIME.

pauljh74 · 24-11-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Now on to one of my pet hates, can I ask why you need to/were traveling 2 abreast? So your friend on your right (road side) got away unhurt? This is where you would have been if you were following one another and thus you wouldn't have been hurt? If not in a cycle race, I'd assume this is for social reasons? Why the Tour de France mentality when not in a race..

Riding 2 abreast is legal. If he was riding single file and swerved out, chances are he would have been run over at speed by a typical car driver who passes with minimal room, unless he rode in the centre of the lane. It's hypocritical that alot of car drivers criticise cyclists for not obeying the rules when they don't even know enough of the rules themselves.

The theory behind riding 2 abreast is that it can be safer because the 2 riders side by side are more visible, and it forces cars to change lanes to overtake rather than squeeze past in an UNSAFE manner - which is practiced frequently in my experience. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Ride 2 abreast - get abused by ignorant drivers, ride single file - risk getting hit by drivers squeezing by.

xfairmont · 24-11-2007, 03:59 PM

any body know where I can get some new xb coupe door trims , or some one that does them ?

XR8putts · 24-11-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

The theory behind riding 2 abreast is that it can be safer because the 2 riders side by side are more visible, and it forces cars to change lanes to overtake..

And thus forcing every single car to cross the centre line, into the path of oncoming traffic, make their way around the cyclists and back into the correct lane.

Safer for the cyclists, what about the motorist? And don't say cyclists only do this in dual-laned roads, because they do it single-laned roads all the time.

FlipXW · 24-11-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

I've quoted myself here because I'd like to hear what some the cyclists have to say about this, as it was ignored/not responded too.

The lack of accountability of their actions is my biggest gripe. I've seen a similar scenario of that examle of the Porchse Boxter window in a previous post - theres just nothing we can do without a rego plate. They can get away with anything and they usually do. What you cyclists need to understand is that there are more bad examples of you lot than there are good. And thats a shame, because I know many cyclists who are great and I'd share the road with them anytime, they are perfectly considerate on the road and follow rules. But these cyclists are in the minority on the roads.

I know what you mean here puts, and yes riding two wide is not the smartest idea when there is not the room to do so.
However I am assuming in this case, there were cars parked down the side of the road so there is minimal room (in which case i dont know why they were riding side by side). Which means if they were following eachother chanches are they both would have got nailed because they would have been trying to keep as far off the road as possible.

fmc351 · 24-11-2007, 04:24 PM

We should extend this. I mean we all hear stories of kids keying cars, and whatnot. Im now convinced everyone who enters a roadway for any purpose should have a rego plate, pedestrians, cyclists, dogs that dart out and cause accidents yet escape injury, same for cats, mothers and prams. Especially prams, they stick them out on the road like some sort of traffic thermometer.

Its time to act, Im outraged at the apparent lack of accountability of these absolute menaces to society.

GORDZ · 24-11-2007, 04:35 PM

nearly killed a cyclist today. he's riding at about 40kph, 500mm from the gutter, i'm tavelling behind him at 70kph (speed limit) then as i'm about to pass him, he swerves right in front of me to avoid a bloody manhole!!! if i was 2 meters further up he'd have gone under the ute for sure. i'd probly have done a skid on his corpse to make my point.

stupid, stupid people.