Look before you take over the entire pathway

Comment

Comment by Raymond on September 22, 2011 at 7:06pm

Spray them with those magnets that some cyclists stick at cars who drive to a poor standard - point them to some basic traffic safety education. ;)

 

Except you might have to replace the magnets with something else that will stick to carbon. Chewing Gum perhaps? I can't believe I ran over some fresh chewing gum the other day; I didn't think people still spit crap like that in the city.

 

Here's to technology and cameras soon becoming more affordable!

Comment by Paul Martin on September 22, 2011 at 12:29pm

It might end up doubling the weight, Gordon!

 

I think the best strategy is to assume they're just going to pull out. Unless they've made eye contact with me I'll assume they have no idea I'm there.

Comment by Gordon on September 22, 2011 at 11:20am

Might be time to design a Mango bull bar, or in this case a Mango Mamil Bar?

Comment by Raymond on September 22, 2011 at 10:50am

Yeah South Bank is ridiculous at rush hour, or any time when people are around. I was walking my bike one evening at the end of a Riverfestival (surprisingly good) City of Lights shows when the crowd all started to leave and find their own paths out of the crowd. Some distance behind me I heard an incessant "DingDingDingDingDingDing...!" A commuter approached, decked out in full safety hi-vis gear trying to barge their way through - I certainly got her attention and spoke my thoughts with regard to the conditions and the inappropriate speed (by implication, the lack of courtesy) and to picture herself as a car amongst a sea of bicyclists. Hopefully some pedestrians around saw this (mostly one-way) exchange and realised that not all of us don't give way.

 

I eventually made my way to Little Stanley St, which pretty much has no cars using it as a throughfare most of the time (although, pedestrians do step out without looking - that whole area should just be turned into a shared zone where vehicles must always give way to pedestrians, as many of them already do; it would boost the vibe for the restaurants and cafes). If they ever close off the path along the river (lets hope the idiots who tear through it don't force the corporation's hand on this), I sure hope they also close off Little Stanley St to cars.

 

I'm just a little disappointed that after supposedly plenty of "experience" from a minority within particular groups of riders, one would expect them to understand a little more the consequences of particular causes and effects.

Comment by Paul Martin on September 22, 2011 at 6:54am

I think a mirror is essential on a bike given the environment we have to ride in at the moment. All my bikes (well, bar one - my 'old school' bike) has a mirror on it. I reckon the CityCycle bikes should have mirrors.

 

I use it in conjunction with turning to look at drivers but the mirror allows me to know (as you say) when to indicate, turn your head and pull out safely, giving drivers (or other cyclists) plenty of notice.

 

There is nothing worse than turning your head to look behind you only to see a car right on your tail - it can be distracting.

 

The mirrors add to the situational awareness. I'm constantly glancing into them but also picking up movement in them in my peripheral vision. As I'm riding I have a permanent 'mind map' of where other vehicles and cyclists are. 

 

When cycling becomes as normal as a place like The Netherlands you find that a mirror isn't necessary at all - at least that's what I found. But here I wouldn't leave home without it.

 

In the Mango I often hear people yelling behind me if they want to pass (particularly through shared areas like South Bank - they don't normally pass me otherwise :-P ) What they don't realise is that I've had them in my sights, in the mirror, for ages...

Comment by Raymond on September 22, 2011 at 1:17am

+1 to a ban on bicycle helmets! Just kidding - I think. ;)

 

Paul, I received my "Take A Look" (compact) sunglasses/helmet mirror in the post on Tuesday and LOVE it! It feels like I'm peering into another dimension of drivers - amazing how many change lanes really early (in addition to giving lots of space) and how many never catch up to me for one reason or another. I can even spot other cyclists hugging the door-zone which gives me the option to maintain an "aggressive" lane position to make sure the car approaching behind gives both of us plenty of space - the last thing I want is to adjust left and "force" the faster cyclist behind to overtake with uncertainty (or get doored into the path of the car behind). Bikeways are also more fun as I can "take the lane" or go on the "wrong side" to peer better into driveways or corner with more margin for error (Go Between Bridge heading north comes to mind). I could write so much more on it but to anyone who is curious about mirrors in general, just watch all of Paul's Mango Sport videos (the Brissie to Bay one is one of my favourites and not just because I recently visited Wynnum). :)

 

On the mirror itself - if you might recall from Lazy Sunday Cycle September - I was concerned about the poor reviews of the plastic helmet mirrors being fragile or fiddly and then realised that this well-constructed "Take A Look" can actually also mount to the visor very well with two cable ties as my glasses are too thin to support its clamps (I promise not to drop it going over rough rail tracks like I did with my rear light!). I also opted against a bulkier (bike lives inside) handlebar mirror as I intend to switch bikes with the CityCycles. It's a flat mirror, and being close to the eyes means I can "sweep" the detail behind me and even judge (spy) drivers' expressions behind when I'm first at the stop lights. Finally my helmet can actually be useful when I'm not gunning the pistons. :p

 

One thing I do need to do more is not get overly pre-occupied with what's behind me but once the attention is focused, it's very similar to glancing at a car mirror (only more versatile). I recall my early driving lessons where I tended to obsess a little over checking back and was advised "don't worry (too much) about what's behind you, focus forwards where you're heading). This of course isn't an argument against the mirror because before I received it, I was doing a lot of "Andy-stiffneck-Schlecking" and spent even less time looking ahead...

Comment by Paul Martin on September 21, 2011 at 12:25pm

Thanks, Aaron. Yes, deliberately blocking me was the final thing that made me turn off and wait a good five minutes. I don't like conflict and would never do anything to deliberately encourage it. Hopefully there are no hard feelings towards me as we all were unscathed in the end.

Comment by Aaron Ball on September 21, 2011 at 12:18pm

I occasionally find myself mouthing off very loudly at cars etc, and then once I've cooled down and thought about it I realise I may have over-reacted somewhat.  Hopefully the road whippet who mouthed off at you was just reverting to the offensive in the heat of the moment, and having thought about it is also over it.  He may just give you a friendly wave next time he sees you, and ask you about the Mango.   Having said that, riding two abreast just to inconveninece a fellow cyclist (or anyone for that matter) is pretty poor form. Stopping and taking a 5 minute break was a good move.

Comment by Paul Martin on September 21, 2011 at 12:02pm

We were all travelling in the same direction and the difference between their speed and mine (prior to braking) would have only been about 10km/h. But they were doing 40km/h.

 

Comment by Paul Martin on September 21, 2011 at 12:01pm

Haha... yes, yesterday morning though. I find that writing it down helps ;)

 

I still don't understand how I was in the wrong as all the cyclists behind him had heard me ringing my bell, judging by their body language & pedalling. At least I saw them pull out and braked hard to avoid rear ending them - I'm glad I have two large 90mm drum brakes! It would have been a very messy crash if I hadn't slowed down. 

 

His yelling may just be the adrenaline speaking but I hope he's had time to reflect on the situation. Quickly 'indicating' then pulling out rapidly (it was like a TdF sprint) without looking isn't very smart.

 

As the Mango is so visible and identifiable I do my utmost to ride carefully and safely so I was really taken aback by all the abuse. No doubt he'll spot me again one day and give me another earful. :(

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