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Road/footpath rules
While riding to work on Tuesday i decided to hop onto the footpath for safety sake due to the traffic while going through part of Brookvale. Coming up to a pedestrian crossing (still 30m away) an SUV, waiting for a walker to cross before driving through, was staring at me intently, he then drove into the pedestrian crossing, stopped and starting honking his horn and screaming at me.
I was still 10m away and had timed my ride to go through after him. He kept screaming at me 'you are a vehicle, you are a vehicle' before becoming extremely and agressively abusive. Needless to say i joined in and we gave each other heaps before he called me a f***in prick and drove off.
My question is, what can i easily carry on the bike to shove down his throat next time and what are the rules on footpaths/pedestrian crossings? Are we allowed to ride on the footpath at all? Don't riders and pedestrians have right of way at all times?
I was only riding a short distance for safety sake as I am tired of the close calls with buses and cars and choose to come home to my children at night instead of them visitng me in hospital.
I am prepared to admit i was in the wrong, but some wanker deliberatly driving in front of me and abusing me is the wrong way to get a message across.
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=riding+bicycles+on+the+foot...
sounds like a right knob that guy
You are only allowed to ride the footpath if it is a shared path or (i think) if you are accompanying a minor.
I can see the problem. You forgot to preload your fork first, then unweight the front wheel as you lift the front wheel up and attempt to rider over his car.
I'd rather pay the fine than get hit by a bus/car/truck. I'd also prefer to be a pedestrian hit by a slow moving bicycle than a cyclist hit by a motor vehicle. Mind you if I'm on a footpath I'd stay under a fast walking pace and get off to use a pedestrian crossing.
You can ride on footpaths if you are with an under-12 as well.
You could also consider ranged attacks such as spitting, giving him a moon, the bird, or simply urinting on the side of his car. Maybe you could aim it into his pasenger window as it sounds like it was down? Once he exits the vehicle obviously you will need to close in for close combat or ride off quickly.
Hope this helps!
Road rules 15 and 16 classify your bike as a vehicle and you as a driver. That means you are obliged to follow the road rules in the same way as cars, trucks and buses.
This includes following *all* the road rules, such as obeying red lights, speed limits, give ways, and not riding on the footpath.
The exceptions are:
So the prat in the SUV was in the right giving you a serve.
That said, I will still ride on the footpath at certain times. I do this when I have cause to be nervous in traffic, and pedestrian numbers are zero or very low. I'll cop the fine if I get pinged - it is better than being squashed by grumpy drivers. I am also insured through my BNSW membership should I strike a pedestrian unintentionally. Thos who know me know I am not easily intimidated on the road and am not a kerb hugger, but I have been struck and hospitalised by a bike hater so I am a lot more risk averse these days.
For an annotated commentary on the road rules as they relate to bikes, see Bike Saint's Favourite Road Rules by clicking the Read More link on this page:
http://www.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au/post/the...
More here by way of summary, but note that the RTA information is not the law, only a (sometimes incomplete, and car-centric) interpretation of it. Where there's a conflict, the actual road rules will trump the info here:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycles/cy...
I'm judging by his reaction he would have also had those "my family" stickers on the back window
Probably. There's an interesting psychology at play there.
I can't remember where it was sourced, but there is solid research indicating that anyone who has any form of car customisation is muhc more likley to have trouble distinguishing their private space (ie, inside their car) from public shared space (the road environment). They are quite likely to have a major entitlement mentality about the roads being "theirs".
This apparently can be anything from the Fully Sik Rice Burner with lowered suspension, body modifications, and whoofy wastepaper bin bass exhaust system, to something as apparently innocuous as a "Magic Happens" rear window sticker.
So I steer clear of anyone with a window sticker or otherwise modified car.
So when I was stuck in traffic this morning, the motor cyclist that over took me on the foot path was in the wrong?
It depends if he was 12 or under
John, it would be interesting to see the results of that research and who did it.
Not sure that I would agree with it, especially as I fit the customized car driving person. I'm sure there are more than a few people on here who have some form of modification.
I ride to and from work and there is one section along Alison Rd in front of the racecourse that I always go on the pavement. Like others have said, it's too dangerous and I'll pay the fine rather than end up under a bus or truck.
It's the northern beaches and he was in an SUV
He was just exercising his right to be much better than everybody else
And BTW, I'd choose urination and then initiate fight or flight depending on his size
that bloke would take 1 look at you Bloot and head for the hills
He's not welcome up here
Arm yourself with a camera (even mobile phone variety). Capture as much of the action as possible... the spray, Car, rego etc., and the fact that he was probably stopped on a pedestrian crossing, (not legal either?), and exercise your right to call upon the Road Rage laws.
A pair of these sunnies may be the cyclists ultimate anti Dickhead weapon...
http://www.imging.com.au/
Sounds like you were doing the wrong thing and he was being a twat.
Like others I get on the foot path where and when I feel the risk of a fine or a collision with a pedestrian is outweighed by the risk of copping a car to the back of the head.
I'd be a little cautious with the video advice.. AFAIK it's illegal to record voice without permission, thus the reason cctv footage is silent.
Well its a good thing you posted this, IM HERE TO HELP!
There are a number of things that you may do in this situation but one of my favourites it going for a good lob of a:
Bike tool- These are particularly handy and should see any foe driving off quickly
Bike seat- These can act as throwing axes, perfect for long distance throws
Bricks- I love to keep these in my pocket for emergencies
Shoes- Take em off and aim for the head
Remember, try these at home
(actually dont)
1 I would apologize profusely and carry on.. (having bigger dick helps)
2 A lot of road rage on streets of Sydney.. could it be drugs' effect?
The SUV was correct about riding on the footpath, but also sounds like a wanker. Probably been listening to a shock jock on the radio.
Even though it is fairly natural to respond in kind (i.e. swearing, acting aggresively), you both end up looking bad. Anybody else nearby will see you both carrying on, & think you are a-holes. Best to tone it down.
Tempting as it is to point out that he was actually committing 2 offences by being illegally stopped on a pedestrian crossing, & using his horn, resist the urge.
Choose whatever suits best, e.g. ignore them, smile & wave, agree with them about riding on the footpath. Get your aggro out by riding extra hard for the next part of the ride.
You never know, he might realise further down the road he was being a pri#k, & almost certainly everyone else in the vicinity will think the SUV driver is a derkwad, while sympathising with the cyclist. 1 for bicycles, 0 for SUV.