Toyota Rush SFB 8288 C Kuailan Driver Destroys Bicycle

[Darryn]

NOT pointing at you about lessons or otherwise

 

Nothing you have said leads me to believe you are a bully...

 

SOME however have that attitude.

 

As to whether I do the same to heavy vehicles

 

YES I do - if I cannot position myself where I know they WILL see me, then I siam them far far - mostly stopping about 1.5 metres behind their left rear fender far enough into the road so the car behind can see.

 

Heavy vehicles are my perennial nightmare, their blind spots (when you're a cyclist) are huge - AND the way they "eat" lanes / corners when they turn make them very very dangerous.

 

Personally I WON'T ride up the inside of any heavy vehicle unless he is stopped and I am certain I will get past him while the light is red.

 

Furthermore - IF I know that he will have to overtake me again soon in the left lane - I will stay behind him, I don't need a tipper truck or bus on the right and a 12" kerb on the left - I'm not rushing for a mahogony box.

 

I'd be interested to know if you follow this with heavy vehicles as well.


I agree that trying to teach anyone a lesson is beyond the pale. But to be frank, I think many cyclists out there are trying to teach drivers some sort of lesson by purposefully (and almost gleefully) blocking them when there's an alternative. Some of them do have a serious superiority complex based on how their chosen mode of transport is environmentally friendly, etc. etc. Not all, but quite a lot of the lycra brigade think in this supercilious mode.

And while I fully agree with drivers exercising self-restraint in the face of cyclist provocation, I think it's high time that more cyclists acquired that massively under-rated thing: a sense of self-preservation. Really, they should stop trying to bait heavy vehicles. I'm not talking about your "innocent" lining up in front of a car for safety - I'm talking about the thoroughly arsehole-ish behaviour of some cyclists purposely taunting cars by blocking them and even throwing their bikes across the bonnets of cars they've deemed to have offended their smug sensibilities. Now, most drivers (especially in Singapore) will not react. But a very small minority WILL. And when that happens, the car driver will likely go to jail, but the cyclist will just be a smear of blood and meat on the tarmac. So please, preach self-preservation and patience to your cycling brethren as well. For everyone's sakes.

 

[1fast1]

Now I am surprised pillions are allowed on electric bikes 😳

Thanks for posting the rules. When I first commented on that video, I mentioned the violation of the "max. two abreast" rule as the only clear violation.

 

Which is why I wonder that all the "pro-cycling brigade" here are busy challenging my second point (which I stated I did not consider a violation, just inconsiderate) without even mentioning the first point.

 

I mean - I can accept their rationale about why they would want to move in front of a lead car if they're single. But to do that in a massive bunch like in the video is really unnecessary since it is practically impossible for anyone to miss them. And the clear rule-breaking of the "two abreast" rule is still unaddressed.

[Darryn]

I have always believed that there is one single, golden rule on the road that if you follow - everything else will be golden.

 

DO NOT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.

 

Naturally - like all golden rules, it rather impractical when implemented absolutely - but the thing is, always behave in such a way that inconvenience is minimised and safety is maximised.

 

Further - in about 98% of the cases - following the rules is the best way to minimise inconvenience because it gives predictability.

[1fast1]

NOT pointing at you about lessons or otherwise

 

Nothing you have said leads me to believe you are a bully...

 

SOME however have that attitude.

 

As to whether I do the same to heavy vehicles

 

YES I do - if I cannot position myself where I know they WILL see me, then I siam them far far - mostly stopping about 1.5 metres behind their left rear fender far enough into the road so the car behind can see.

 

Heavy vehicles are my perennial nightmare, their blind spots (when you're a cyclist) are huge - AND the way they "eat" lanes / corners when they turn make them very very dangerous.

 

Personally I WON'T ride up the inside of any heavy vehicle unless he is stopped and I am certain I will get past him while the light is red.

 

Furthermore - IF I know that he will have to overtake me again soon in the left lane - I will stay behind him, I don't need a tipper truck or bus on the right and a 12" kerb on the left - I'm not rushing for a mahogony box.

I'm glad to learn that you realise that you can't "play that game" with heavy vehicles - they really can't see what's right in front of their hood ornaments!

 

You're right - I am not a bully.

I have always believed that there is one single, golden rule on the road that if you follow - everything else will be golden.

 

DO NOT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.

 

Naturally - like all golden rules, it rather impractical when implemented absolutely - but the thing is, always behave in such a way that inconvenience is minimised and safety is maximised.

 

Further - in about 98% of the cases - following the rules is the best way to minimise inconvenience because it gives predictability.

Your post reminded me of a counter-example to cite to all those arguing about how it's safer to move in front of the lead vehicle. I was the lead vehicle recently. A female lycra wearing cyclist came up behind me at the light. I was reassured initially by her keeping behind me. There were no other vehicles behind us. Inexplicably, after a couple of seconds, she insisted on squeezing past my side to crook her wheel right in front of me so that she would block me from going off. Was this safety (given that she just put herself into a more risky position)? Or just inconsideration? Remember, there were NO vehicles behind me even after the light turned green.

 

Yes, cyclists can find many reasons to justify their behaviour. But quite often, quite a lot of them are just bloody-minded.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Turboflat4

[1fast1]

The arrogance of a large number of cyclists is a worldwide phenomenon. Just in case you think the Ang Moh countries are any more "enlightened": http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2242003/Arrogant-abusive-oh-smug--cyclists-think-theyre-law.html

[Nzy]

I'd be interested to know if you follow this with heavy vehicles as well.

For heavy vehicles usually no space to go infront. But if I can, I will go all the way infront of them as well so they can see me. But I notice heavy vehicle drivers usually more tolerant towards cyclists and they give more space than car drivers.

[Chucky2007]

The most basic of things you do as a cyclist when at the lights is to position yourself where the driver can and WILL see you.

 

You stop in such a way that they can't help but notice you.

 

For Me, that means I put the bike directly infront of his hood ornament -

 

Naturally the converse of this is that once the light turns green - you get out of his way as quickly as is practicable and safe.

 

IF (and it's a big if) I cause a short moment of inconvenience - then I will "feel" for you - but sorry, too bad.

 

Just think of it this way - perhaps you get blocked for 20 or 30 seconds by the cyclist because he is slow or whatever - but how much longer would you have been stopped for had you hit him?

 

It doesn't give a cyclist carte blanche, but do remember they are extremely vulnerable - cut them a bit of slack -

 

Even if they are arseholes - it is your behaviour and emotions you can control, if you try to "teach them a lesson" the outcome is never going to be good, and you will never get the results you want, ultimately you'll just make the roads more dangerous.

so difficult to drive a car when there's cyclist around... Gotta give so much TLC to cyclist feeling and well being..

[Soya]

 

Was these reflected to LTA?

 

Sorry to inform you that most roadies are aggressive ppl. These are typical behaviour of aggressive ppl. It has nothing to do with leotard or not.

Ahemmm.....instead of making a pest of themselves on public roads, these 'aggressive' ppl shld take up a new hobby........like playing Russian Roulette.

[1fast1]

For heavy vehicles usually no space to go infront. But if I can, I will go all the way infront of them as well so they can see me. But I notice heavy vehicle drivers usually more tolerant towards cyclists and they give more space than car drivers.

Are you absolutely sure heavy vehicle drivers can see you if you're right in front and centre of them? Some vehicles have good visibility - like buses, where the flat front ensures a good view right to the road. But others like trucks with a "jutting front" often have compromised visibility of objects right in front of the vehicle.

[Nzy]

Thanks for posting the rules. When I first commented on that video, I mentioned the violation of the "max. two abreast" rule as the only clear violation.

 

Which is why I wonder that all the "pro-cycling brigade" here are busy challenging my second point (which I stated I did not consider a violation, just inconsiderate) without even mentioning the first point.

 

I mean - I can accept their rationale about why they would want to move in front of a lead car if they're single. But to do that in a massive bunch like in the video is really unnecessary since it is practically impossible for anyone to miss them. And the clear rule-breaking of the "two abreast" rule is still unaddressed.

 

Can't see whether they were riding more than 2 abreast in the video. Video only showed them stopping. When moving off the video too short to see whether they continued to ride in the same manner or changed to 2 abreast or single file.

[Jamesc]

Another reason why some road users hate cyclists, whether they are on the road, or on the pavement, hurt others can siam fast...

 

 

 

Same with cars, its called hit and run. And cars can drive away faster.

 

There are road hoggers on lane 1 who last minute jam brake and siam

 

left 3 lanes to get to the exit.

 

All the cars behind jam brake and 2 or 3 cars down there is a pile up

 

and the road hogger who jams brakes happily drives off the highway

 

without a scratch.

 

[Nzy]

Are you absolutely sure heavy vehicle drivers can see you if you're right in front and centre of them? Some vehicles have good visibility - like buses, where the flat front ensures a good view right to the road. But others like trucks with a "jutting front" often have compromised visibility of objects right in front of the vehicle.

 

I go all the way infront where I can see the drivers eyes in my mirror which is on my wrist. If I can see his eyes in my mirror, he can definitely see me clearly. As I mentioned if no space then I'll just stay behind.

[Jamesc]

I know this is a car forum but no point making

 

all cyclists to be devils and all drivers to be angels.

 

There are many drivers who are devils and their souls

 

belong to me. I hate it when people reduce the number

 

of devoted followers I have.

 

[Yewheng]

For heavy vehicles usually no space to go infront. But if I can, I will go all the way infront of them as well so they can see me. But I notice heavy vehicle drivers usually more tolerant towards cyclists and they give more space than car drivers.

You should cycle behind heavy vehicles, if go infront, do you know you maybe at their blindspot? Heavy vehicles also have blindspot right infront of them also.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Yewheng

[naturecaller]

driver got fault, but biker also hungry for media attention..

[Nzy]

You should cycle behind heavy vehicles, if go infront, do you know you maybe at their blindspot? Heavy vehicles also have blindspot right infront of them also.

 

I know they have blindspot. Usually got space then I go infront. I'll make sure I can see their eyes in my my mirror if I decide to stop infront of them. That way, I can also see if they noticed me or not.

[Yewheng]

 

I know they have blindspot. Usually got space then I go infront. I'll make sure I can see their eyes in my my mirror if I decide to stop infront of them. That way, I can also see if they noticed me or not.

Remember the tampines cement truck and the young boy cycling accident at traffic junction? The young boy pass away. The blindspot maybe wider then some people may think. Heavy vehicles are seated at higher position and their wide body make it very difficult to see what's on their left front that is blocked by the pillar. I can imagine that the cyclist is at the cement truck blindspot and the driver didn't even know he run over the cyclist. So its always not very wise to stay directly infront of them. Car no need say la, car bigger in size and have certain length, so cannot be missed, it is the cyclist and motocycle which is smaller in size that are more difficult to spot.

[1fast1]

Can't see whether they were riding more than 2 abreast in the video. Video only showed them stopping. When moving off the video too short to see whether they continued to ride in the same manner or changed to 2 abreast or single file.

They are definitely riding three abreast around 0:28.

 

And even when they're stopping they shouldn't be bunched up more than 2 abreast. When they do that, they pretty much *have* to start off three abreast - or hold up traffic even further by getting themselves sorted out correctly.

 

Basically, my point is simple: why can't cyclists just follow the ruddy rules? And why do some cyclists defend them even when it's quite clear they have actually broken the rules?

Edited March 9, 2015 by Turboflat4