Cycling in Melbourne Australia
dangerous riding
We are sick and tired of riders riding in the hills of the Dandenong Ranges. It is far too dangerous. Specially when you cant fit 2 cars on the road.
Also why do they not let the cars pass them. there are plenty of places to ride, these hills are not one of them.
I will be starting a push to make the local council outlaw this.
It is ridiculous and these people are selfish.
I will talk further about this issue. I must go now
Also why do they not let the cars pass them. there are plenty of places to ride, these hills are not one of them.
I will be starting a push to make the local council outlaw this.
It is ridiculous and these people are selfish.
I will talk further about this issue. I must go now
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
Hi Phil
As you can imagine, you're probably not going to get a lot of support on this forum. I'm all against dangerous riding (the small, but visible percentage of riders who do - which the Vic Police stats themselves say are a much smaller percentage than those of drivers who drive dangerously, but that's not your point). Things like running red lights - not that I've ever seen a car do that. In fact, I don't even think I've seen cars do that today. Or yesterday. But certainly Friday. And I think Thursday... come to think of it, most of last week... Not sure if I saw any cars going 61km/h either - given I don't carry a radar.
I wish you all the best with your endeavours with the local council. (Actually, truth be known, I don't... but my mum always told me to be nice).
Regards,
Cory.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on -
I assume by, "Things like running red lights - not that I've ever seen a car do that," you're being ironic? :-)
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Permalink Reply by phil on -
yes, and I dont believe cars should run red lights either, but almost every cyclist ive seen at red lights ,, dont stop.
anyways, im just sayin there are open roads to ride on , and Im all for that.But just not in the dandenog ranges.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on
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Phil, I suspect what you mean is that you only notice cyclists when they behave according to your prejudices. If you were seeing cyclists with open eyes, for every cyclist you see running a red, you'd see a hundred, no, a thousand stopped at red lights.
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Permalink Reply by Guav on -
Hi Phil, not really sure what your source of distress is.
You state that it is far too dangerous? Explain. We've all been riding up there for ages and I can't think of any specific place I would call dangerous.
Little bit strange to see you say "why won't they let cars pass them". Not quite sure about this one. Most cyclists (once they realise a car is behind them) will check if the road ahead is clear and then wave a car through. You could also wait a few moments until you can see a clear path ahead and then gently go around them, there is usually enough room. It could be worse, ever been stuck behind a bus or truck?
"There are plenty of places to ride" - yup, sure are, Melbourne and surrounds are sensational providing all sorts of terrain. We ride all over, including the nongs. There's just a lot of cyclists! Not sure if you are aware but bikes have outsold cars for the past 9 years, maybe it's 10 now, I forget. As I said, lots of cyclists!
You also state you can't fit 2 cars on the road. Ok, sounds like cyclists aren't your problem then. A bike only takes up a maximum of 44cm (the width of the the largest handlebars, unless said cyclist's rear end is placing heightened stress on their daks), whereas from your assertions, cars are taking up all the room. I suggest pulling over to the edge of the road for a few seconds and let the other car pass, then ease your way past the cyclist. Perhaps you should complain to your council and ask for wider roads in your area so 2 cars can fit on the road.
Ok, sorry Phil for being facetious, you obviously live in the 'Nongs and can't understand why half of Melbourne's cyclists flock there every weekend. If you have spotted any cyclists doing the wrong thing then you should definitely report it, no sane cyclist in Melbourne would condone illegal behaviour and we all should stand up against it when we see it, but if you just have a general gripe of "why are these lycra-clad people here using our roads?" then maybe you need to have a quiet sit down by yourself and have a think about where you are coming from and why this upsets you (I mean a proper think, not just a knee-jerk "Yeah, they're right!!" spasm after reading the Herald-Sun).
I'll give you "our" side to the story so you can make an informed judgement (btw, there should be no "us" and "them" mentality here, but unfortunately Australia has a long way to go in the share-the-roads attitude department).
Cyclists flock to the Dandenongs for several reasons, I'll list a few here:
1) They are beautiful, absolutely serene, they are such a wonderful, peaceful experience. Probably the same reason you decided to move there
2) They're hilly. Riding in hilly terrain is a very important part of a cyclist's training. It provides the ability to increase leg strength, improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and practice for hilly races. The Dandenongs provide gradients of all levels of difficulty from long, gentle slopes around 4-5% (i.e. the 1/20 from The Basin to Sassafrass), medium slopes (i.e. The Wall, or Devil's Elbow), up to ridiculously steep (i.e. Terry's Avenue in Belgrave)
3) The roads are extensive and generally in excellent condition. This allows cyclists to ride many different loops, often without seeing anyone else for ages, of varying difficulty.
4) The 1/20 provides an excellent standard which each cyclist can benchmark their current form against both themselves, and other cyclists. Plus the Black Kettle has great coffee.
5) There aren't many cars
6) Due to the well maintained roads, descending is generally safe, (although sometimes you have to be careful because some cars seem to have difficulty doing the speed limit and you have to wait for them).
Ok, sorry about that last crack, but I'm trying to make a point. You may feel affronted because some of your fellow citizens are trying to keep fit by strange methods (yes, we know lycra is a shocking look, but it is very functional), but you don't seem to show the same antagonistic attitude towards other drivers who supposedly get in your way (let's refer back to that "can't fit 2 cars on the roads" quip you made earlier).
Let's get some perspective mate! Maybe you should even jump on a pushy and give it a go yourself, see what all the fuss is about, who knows, you may even get the bug! We've all tried driving and we already know it has severe limitations, how 'bout you put the shoe on the other foot!
So the next time you're "stuck" behind some cyclists, are they being selfish? Perhaps, but not likely, I don't know anyone who would intentionally hold up a car driver who isn't acting like a moron. Just give them a friendly toot to let them know you're there, wait patiently until there is room to move past, and then just do it (although, don't rev the engine like a tool) and go about the rest of your day.
Too easy!
Looking forward to you talking more on this issue. Hopefully you provide some thoughtful insight.
We're willing to work with you.....but it goes both ways.
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Permalink Reply by phil on
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ok im back sorry , my computers been in the shop.
I understand your point, but do you not think that people rididng on the Nongs roads is dangerous? A great example is Perrins creek rd for starters.
Also re; not leeting cars pass , this happens all the time!!! So I dont know why you think your ethics are the same as most , when obviously they are not.
And as for reporting cyclists who ride like morons... what do you say to police?? umm he was wearing red lycra and was on a yellow bike???
This is why I firmly believe that all bicycles should be registered after the age of 16!!
Get childhood out of the way, but once one is 16 then it must be registered, complete with a numberplate.
Yes cyclists use roads too so they should be funding the upkeep of these roads also.
When there is a number plateon these cycles, then we can report these moronic riders who have no concern for cars.
Do you know hoiw many times ive come around a bend and nearly rear ended a cyclists, on these roads?? and do you know how many countless others there are who have the same problem?/
Any way like i said there are many places to ride, yes the nongs are a pretty place and i do understand the attraction of riding here . ( i have lived here for 22 years)
But simply its not safe! thats y i wont ride up here,not even to the local shop.
anyway i best let you got feed the trolls.
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Permalink Reply by Craig Blowfield on
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So Phil, what are you going to say to all the business owners and people who are employed by the cafes in the nongs which are supported on a weekly basis by the cycling community. look forward to the council meeting....
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Permalink Reply by Adrian Tritschler on -
Mmm, trolls
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