Cycling in Melbourne Australia

Poor form?

Guys,
Has any other commuting cyclists noticed an increased occurance of cyclists "pushing" to the front of the queue at red lights, and then getting in the way going slowly after the lights go green?

I think this is poor form.. as you then have to pass these cyclists, often having to go out into the line of fire to then do this. My view is if you're going to pass me stopped at the lights, well at least be prepared to stay in front of me and not hold me up.

What do others think? Anyone else noticed this?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on November 24, 2009 at 10:09am: Fixie = single speed, fixed wheel. The rear sprocket is fixed (doesn't have a freewheel mechanism) and doesn't allow the rider to coast. Hence stopping requires much planning and care lest the bike bites its rider and throws them over the bars. Probably not a wise choice in traffic, anyway.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Accordion on November 26, 2009 at 8:12pm: A fixie is someone who rides a fixed gear bike. Usually that means that the rear wheel will not turn unless the pedals are also turning. Don't get the idea myself, but then I don't get why you'd willingly play a harpsichord when a piano is so much better!

Or why you'd mix a whisk eggs by hand when there are Kenwoods around...

Or use a typewriter when there are computers...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nick Orloff on November 24, 2009 at 10:54am: I ride fixed (some of the time) and I stop for reds (all of the time).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Etienne de Brignell on November 24, 2009 at 2:28pm: Sorry, bit of a generalisation in my previous comment. I guess I'm talking about all those young hipsters who have jumped on the Fixie bandwagon in the past couple of years. Bike couriers have been using them for years but they've become all the rage in inner-city Melbourne. A lot of the newer riders seem to be out of their depth. A good parody can be found here: http://yamabushi.wordpress.com/2007/07/08/how-to-be-a-fixie-clone/

By the way, I ride a single gear but have the freewheel mechanism. If you're on an uphill stage at the lights then you do need to get good acceleration when the light turns green.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adrian Tritschler on November 26, 2009 at 9:06pm: Every spring the weather warms up and brings out more people on bikes, together with more and more people just in general riding bikes. Shock horror, people are not all angels. Some people in cars are prats, some people on foot are prats, some people on bikes are prats.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pete Roadie on November 28, 2009 at 6:26pm: Most of us older riders have had a fixie when we were kids. Remember the old dragsters? Ah, the memories!

As for taking off at the lights when you're in a bunch, as a courtesy to my fellow cyclists, I always accelerate gradually. I find it's usually a good way to get the bunch moving without too many problems. Then again, one will never be able to expect a smooth take-off when you have to put up with the more impatient of our brethren.; ▶ Reply to This