Cycling in Melbourne Australia

Top ten hazards of commuter racing?

Conventional wisdom has it that if you get two cyclists going in the same direction, then you've got a race. I guess everyone likes a bit of competition now and then, but there's a time and place for everything. And I'd suggest that narrow bike paths and busy city streets shared with cyclists of unknown ability are probably not the time/place.

So, let's see if we can get together a list of top ten hazards associated with commuter racing.

To kick-off, I'd say:

The inside pass--see Matt's post from last week (which triggered this thought).
The unbreakable train--that special moment when you meet a train of three, four or even five riders coming your way, on your side of a narrow bike path, apparently unwilling to break their paceline even if it means mowing you down or running you off the path.

Nominations are now open.

NB: This is intended to be a bit of fun. Let's not get too hung up on imaginary risks--remember it's a myth that cycling is dangerous!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Treadly and Me on June 18, 2008 at 6:44pm: That's kind of the reverse, isn't it? Shouldn't that go under the heading "Top ten hazards of bike path trundlers"?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ChrisS on June 18, 2008 at 7:09pm: Kinda similar, but probably a late arvo low blood sugar bonk or a Canning Street cowboy who's peaked early & forgotten totally WTF they were doing anyway.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob on June 18, 2008 at 6:57pm: ah hah!,
toodling along at a swift pace near MHR and you are blown away by a helmetted suit passing on a hybrid and no way can you pull them back..ech!... some wily overfit commuters just scream on the most unlikley beasts in the most unlikely garb...are they Mel to Warnie contenders lurking out there we never see in lycra?.. I reckon there are heaps and they know it!... heheheh, they turn style over speed on its head! by adding WITH in lieu of "over"

back to my beer o'clock special tipple and a slow walk to the letter box ;); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Klinck on June 19, 2008 at 4:22pm: Animals are on my list - Rabbits /Dogs/ Dog Walkers in dark clothes, pre-dawn.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Bird on June 20, 2008 at 1:50am: How about the people who insist on riding into the traffic on road cycle lanes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob on June 20, 2008 at 12:37pm: I reckon necessity often forces this, unless they are just wandering all over the place and don't look out for cars passing in the next lane... cycle lanes on road are not always safe, and you dont have to ride in a lane if you adjudge it unsafe to use at that point, leave it and come back when its safer... (parked car, broken surface, slippery, gravel, drain grate, water, oil etc)-bikes are vehicles and may use all lanes when needed,...you take your place, others adjust their speed according to road conditions, ( eg: other vehicles, road surface, slower moving vehicles-such as a bike or tractor etc) and we move on...a bike is entitled to a lane, and a driver is not entitled to expect to be able to keep driving faster than you... they have to keep a proper look out and avoid you, as long as you dont cause an impediment, and that doesnt mean just because you are there... if you look, its clear and move out and they then come upon you and have to slow, that is their responsibility to slow to the conditions... I guess this is more an advocacy group item..-and an education one)... but on road cycle lanes are a continuous cause of confusion (and abuse to and by drivers and not always properly used by riders, especially overtaking riders, if that is what you mean... ), and that's another story...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Bird on June 21, 2008 at 3:23pm: This shows that I should be clearer with my postings.

The people I'm posting about are the ones who follow pedestrian guidelines when they are riding on the road; that is they ride on the right-hand shoulder and/or poor excuse for a cycle-lane, riding into the on-coming traffic.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Bird on June 21, 2008 at 3:51pm: Sorry people, I think I've gone off topic with my posts. The topic was originally 'Top 10 Hazards of Commuter Racing'.; ▶ Reply to This