letter regarding driver behaviour towards cyclists

I recently sent this letter to local newspapers

"Over the past 5 years I have been riding my bicycle on roads around Hornsby I have noticed a decline in the level of respect shown to cyclists by some motorists. Roads in this area are very dangerous for cyclists due to lack of adequate shoulder or bike lanes. The increase in the number of cyclists using our roads is also significant.

I know that a few cyclists are guilty of poor etiquette by riding two (or more) abreast on narrow roads like Bobbin Head and Kuring-Gai Chase Roads, giving none or poor signals when turning or changing lanes, occupying traffic lanes when perfectly good shoulder or bike lanes exist and moving to the front of traffic lines at lights and holding up following cars. Cyclists should improve their behaviour in order to improve the treatment they receive from motorists.

However, I do find it alarming that some motorists and motor cyclists find sport in aggressive behaviour towards cyclists simply because they are using these roads. One argument they tend to use is “these people do not pay vehicle registration, and they have no right to use these roads.” If this argument were pursued to its logical conclusions then we would be charging the elderly or infirm for use of scooters and pedestrians for crossing the road!

I was the victim of two such incidents on a recent ride along the Pacific Highway between Mt Colah and Brooklyn. First was at 9.12am last Thursday northbound on Pacific Hwy at Mt Colah corner Northumberland Ave. As I rode along the bike lane (very narrow) a TransDev bus driver approached from behind at 60kph and the pressure wave off the front of his vehicle knocked me off balance. I was lucky to avoid falling into the guardrail or under the wheel of the bus or a following car. I understand that large vehicle cannot easily move across or within lanes, however is it too much to ask that they overtake a cyclist in close proximity at a safe speed.

On the same ride at 9.50am at the start of the descent to Brooklyn from “Pie in the Sky” a following motorcyclist came to within .5 metres and revved his engine loudly. With plenty of room to overtake on this excellent road and full vision, behind and ahead, this behaviour is purely designed to intimidate cyclists to discourage them from using roads that we should all share with courtesy.

I ride alone on most of my training rides and am at higher risk of such incidents; however I refuse to be intimidated by this type of behaviour and will report it.

What can be done to reduce the risk of death or serious injury to cyclists? Governments and councils must act to improve access to bike lanes and cycleways throughout the area. Some cyclists should try harder to improve their road-sharing skills to improve respect from drivers. And cyclists and drivers who witness instances of aggressive and dangerous behaviour towards cyclists (and pedestrians for that matter), should assist in addressing the problem by reporting it.

Peter Kemp

Mt Colah"

I hope this letter gets a few people thinking about their behaviour on the roads around Hornsby

Recieved a reply to my email complaint to Transdev this week.

Dear Mr. Kemp

In relation to your complaint, all drivers have been spoken to by the depot manager, they have been reminded to take care when passing a push bike and, if possible move into other lane.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Kind Regards,

Service Representative

Veolia Transport NSW Pty Ltd

Phone: 8700 0517

Fax: 8700 0594

Email: businfo@veoliatransportnsw.com.au