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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Off-topic Climbers who ride version 2; MOTORcycles 1-Feb-2006 At 5:29:01 PM stuart

Message

Dalai,

Bicycle lanes are designed to cut a bicycle rider some slack in the dangerous world of commuter transport. They should allow cyclist - as an unmotorised and slower moving vehicle - to move quickly and safely and in an orderly fashion. The bicycle lane is meant to be a safe place for the bicycle rider to do their thing.

Motorcycles are big, heavy, loud, intimidating machines needing long breaking distances being operated by people with no peripheral vision (their helmets) and a clear weight/damage advantage over a bicycle rider. And suddenly they're in the 1.6 metre wide lane with you and that's alright? No, that's not on.

Motorcycle riders will often get into the bicycle lane thinking they're saving themselves a few car lengths only to have to stop when the gap is too small for them. I've lost count of the amount of times I've had to leave the relative safety of my bike lane and head into the main lanes to get around a wedged motorcycle. Often they'll use their weight and size - not unlike a school bully - to push in front of you or side-push you when they come across a narrow gap and they want to get through. And how about the times I've seen motorcycle monster a bike-rider from behind in a bicycle-lane because they're in a hurry? That's a bit rich.

It's a very human trait that we exercise a narrow and self-interested view when it comes to protecting our own perspective. I believe this is the case when we become road-users, and for that matter when we defend an opinion in a forum, like we're doing now.

IMHO, motorcyles do not belong in the bicycle lane.

S