Drivers in Sydney

[Tomas]

Just an observation: i've been pleasantly surprised with how good motorists have been in Sydney recently. Drivers have given me nice gaps, long indications, conservative merges for weeks now. I think that the weekday commuters are well used to having motorbikes do reckless shit so give me a wide birth?

People always seem to bitch about drivers (and fuck, it only takes one to kill you), so credit where credit is due. Keep it up Sydney north commuter-drivers.

What do people think? Standard of drivers in Australia improving?

(massive edit: i still cry with how bad drivers are every time i go through the city, but I think awareness of cyclists and motorcyclists is improving.)

[Uncle Grumpy]

Sydney, Australia?

Seriously, I have had few problems and the problems I have had were from the sort of knuckle dragging mouth breathers who think UFC is one of the creative arts and endangering someone's safety is a sport. They don't really count as bad drivers so much as plain phuckwits.

A lot of it comes down to riding properly, leaving no doubt as to your intentions and all that. A lot of credit probably goes to you for your own actions as a cyclist.

You get judged by your actions and respect is a 2 way thing. Having said that, it's pleasing to see you haven't had any negatives and I hope that doesn't change. Stay safe!

Grumps

[Lorday]

I'd say it is due to the growing number of cyclist I'm seeing cycling in the city. Fair call all in all.

Edit: saying that I've been turned across 3 times today and have an attempted on t-boning me but that's the worse it's been in a while.

[TOU93]

Seriously, I have had few problems and the problems I have had were from the sort of knuckle dragging mouth breathers who think UFC is one of the creative arts and endangering someone's safety is a sport. They don't really count as bad drivers so much as plain phuckwits.


Grumps

Bahahahaha, It's soo funny because it's true. Riding in the CBD of brisbane is scary! Vancouver and Montreal were fine but 1000000 of people in canada ride on the road.

[Ride True]

Cycling, especially commuters, are getting alot more exposure now through the different media avenues and I think we (as cyclist) are beginning to see/experience the benefits.

Heading into winter there may not be as many bikes on the road but come this summer, the sport of cycling will take off :)

Motorists are so much more aware of cyclist then ever before IMO and with the ongoing support of councils and other parties, it will only get better.

[Drummerboy]

Glad to hear things have been going well for you on the lower north shore, Norwest Business Park is generally a disaster... be it on a bike, in a car or sometimes even walking!

I have been off the bike for a couple of weeks because I have been sick, but when I ride I always have assume that people just can't see me, I have been nearly cleaned up so many times I've lost count. At least it isn't far to the nearest bike path, where I can take a big breath and relax!

An aside - two nights ago I was in my car turning off Norwest Blvd on to Old Windsor Rd and a bloke on a motorbike totally carved me up, when I gave him a toot to let him know I was actually there, and I wasn't happy with being carved up he flipped me the bird! This man is a temporary Australian... end rant.

[donny70]

I mostly ride the pavement now after a few narrow scrapes in the past. I'm willing to wear the fine. I do make way for any walkers and ride slow past them, all a matter of respect really.

That being said I got pulled up for it recently and all I did was point at the road (ride on that?) Nuf said! Got let off...

[Uncle Grumpy]

That being said I got pulled up for it recently and all I did was point at the road (ride on that?) Nuf said! Got let off...

Step 1: As soon as you realise you're being pulled over, hock up a ripper and spit on your sleeve. Be discreet.

Step 2: With an agitated yet polite tone, ask the Police Officer "where were you when the passenger in that blue Falcon told me to "get off the fucking road" and then spat on me!? I'm sorry officer, I'm just a bit rattled. The wing mirror nearly clipped my elbow... and... and..." look away and take a few deep breaths to compose yourself.

Step 3: Thank the officer for his empathy as he lets you off.

I don't condone breaking the law but self preservation is a smart move.

Grumps

[chamois]

Norwest Business Park

where do you work? i'm on norwest blvd opp hillsong.

i come in from the m7 and today i drove past a commuter @ quakers parkway and he beat me to the top of the hill at bunnings...

[Ride True]

Anyone know how much the fine is if booked?

[Uncle Grumpy]

Section 249 of the NSW Road Rules 2008

249 Riding on a separated footpath

The rider of a bicycle must not ride on a part of a separated footpath designated for the use of pedestrians.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Separated footpath is defined in rule 239, and pedestrian is defined in rule 18.
Note 2. Rule 336 deals with how parts of a separated footpath are designated for bicycle riders and pedestrians.

A "penalty unit" is currently $110.

So, the maximum fine is $2200.

Okay, so you get a fine for that amount, you appeal the fine, based on evidence that you weren't riding like a wanger, or you had a reason to be on the footpath, or that it is a first offence etc, please guilty because, well, you were breaking the law technically, throw yourself on the mercy of the Magistrate, who hopefully hasn't just sentenced a cyclist for criminal damage, and likely get the matter squashed or reduced to a trifling amount plus Court costs of $56.

Reality is, unless you are being a right dick, the Police won't fine you for it. It's not worth the paperwork or their time to appear in Court over such a minor matter.

But, the law is there and you have to look at the objective which is to ensure pedestrian safety and safety of motorists who don't want to reverse out a driveway past a hedge only to be hit by a cyclist doign 45kph down the footpath, trashing the car door and injuring the cyclist.

If you can prove you met the intent of the law and your actions weren't going to endanger pedestrians, yourself or someone's car, then you have a decent defence.

I am not a lawyer, but I have at times been a criminal.

Grumps

[Drummerboy]

where do you work? i'm on norwest blvd opp hillsong.

i come in from the m7 and today i drove past a commuter @ quakers parkway and he beat me to the top of the hill at bunnings...

I work in Meridian Place, off Lexington Dr. It wasn't me today, I drove in too. I do enjoy passing car after car when I'm on my bike though, as I'm sure you do too :)

Any one else in Norwest?

[Drummerboy]

I am not a lawyer, but I have at times been a criminal.

Grumps

Classic!

[Lorday]

I work in Meridian Place, off Lexington Dr. It wasn't me today, I drove in too. I do enjoy passing car after car when I'm on my bike though, as I'm sure you do too :)

Any one else in Norwest?

Me.
Been clipped once.

[Comic Book Guy]

...and the problems I have had were from the sort of knuckle dragging mouth breathers who think UFC is one of the creative arts and endangering someone's safety is a sport. They don't really count as bad drivers so much as plain phuckwits.
Sounds like you have experienced riding around my area.:eek::loling:

A lot of it comes down to riding properly, leaving no doubt as to your intentions and all that. A lot of credit probably goes to you for your own actions as a cyclist.
+1. Always make sure people know where you are going. Had a guy in a ute ask me was I turning left or going straight on when we were stopped at the traffic lights. I said straight on and he let me go when the lights changed before he turned left. He became my hero for the day as most of the bogans around here would have just pulled out in front of me.

We need more bikes on the road so people get use to them being around and those bike riders need to be smart and use the road well.

[Ride True]

Hmmm thanks Glen, I think I'll be spitting on my arm pretty quick and re living the close encounter with the 4 wheeler.

[Uncle Grumpy]

Hmmm thanks Glen, I think I'll be spitting on my arm pretty quick and re living the close encounter with the 4 wheeler.

Falsifying evidence carries a far heavier penalty. :) Just make sure you don't get seen gobbing on yourself.

Grumps

[Drummerboy]

Me.
Been clipped once.

That's no good!

I guess Norwest really isn't any worse than anywhere else in Sydney, some days it sure seems like it though, in car or on bike.

[DelayNoMore]

Any one else in Norwest?

Yep, another one in the area, near Woolworths. I agree that traffic on Norwest Blvd is crazy. 70km/h speed limit and five roundabouts with double lanes each way. Some of the most aggressive driving I've seen on that 2km stretch of road between Windsor Rd and Old Windsor Rd. Motorists jump into the roundabout with the smallest available gap. I see many commuters take the foothpath there and can understand why.

[Lorday]

You really need to ride agressively into (and through) the roundabouts, get hold of a lane and stay centred. Just don't give the cars a chance to overtake into the roundabout.
Also, when it's peak hour ride between the traffic and not gutter side.

[87seca]

Since I got my road bike, I have been spending a lot of time on the road, surprise surprise! Most cars have been fine, leaving me room, giving way to me (I always give them a thumbs up to encourage them to do it again), and just not being a total waste of space. You will always get a wanker no matter what. Call it a law of averages. My biggest problem at the moment is other bike riders, and that is a problem I thought that I would ever have.

I have been riding after work once I get home, and seem to get all the lazy couples out on bikes that NFI on how to ride on a bike path let alone the road. Last nights example would be a couple on the bike path, no light, black clothing on the wrong side. Almost cleaned both of them up, yet I am the one getting abused??? Sorry I was on the right side, all lights on, paying attention, and avoiding you by leaving the bike path!!!

Then there is just those who fail to do anything right on the road. Cutting cars off, riding past cars that have already passed them at traffic lights etc etc.

I think we need more rider education.

[jsinclair]

Riding through rose bay the other morning, a truck driver parked in the left lane threw open his door without looking behind him (i guess being high up it isnt too often an issue for him). I had just enough time to duck and go under his door and by the time he saw me i was well past his cab. He did call out and apologise though which was decent enough of him.

I think over the las two years i've been riding on sydney roads things have generally gotten better. Its still safe to treat everybody as though they cant see you though i guess. Still too many sydney drivers have forgotten the saying "if in doubt: middle pedal."

[Tomas]

This was in the motorbike forum, but it's the though that counts cyclists haha. I was sitting there thinking how big the fine would be for riding a moto on the footpath! hahahah

[DrewMan]

Riding through rose bay the other morning, a truck driver parked in the left lane threw open his door without looking behind him (i guess being high up it isnt too often an issue for him). I had just enough time to duck and go under his door and by the time he saw me i was well past his cab. He did call out and apologise though which was decent enough of him.

I think over the las two years i've been riding on sydney roads things have generally gotten better. Its still safe to treat everybody as though they cant see you though i guess. Still too many sydney drivers have forgotten the saying "if in doubt: middle pedal."

pretty sure you have to stay out of the way of opening doors

[Lorday]

pretty sure you have to stay out of the way of opening doors

Pretty sure that's wrong. You don't open your door into traffic unless it is safe to do so.

[jsinclair]

Pretty sure that's wrong. You don't open your door into traffic unless it is safe to do so.

Agreed. While yes you should watch for people sitting in their cars and ride as though they haven't bothered to look, its a little hard to see terry tradesman sitting 6ft up in his isuzu cab, and he flings it open whilst concentrating on his four n' twenty.