Taking over the Adelaide hills

In today's Advertiser





http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/comment-enginepowered-bikes-don8217t-mix-with-the-peoplepowered-type-writes-cameron-england/story-fni6uo1m-1226729941923

Having ridden that Gorge Road on hubby's Tiger, I think the best solution is to have it better sign-posted, so that drivers and motorcyclists
would be reminded every 5 kms that there are cyclists in the area. Never mind closing roads just specifically for small groups, only for larger organised rides, would make more sense.
The other problem is that road's scenery is just too damn pretty to speed, so i can see why so many cars drive slow around corners, and they probably also worry about wandering animals.

SuzySuzuki wrote:Having ridden that Gorge Road on hubby's Tiger, I think the best solution is to have it better sign-posted, so that drivers and motorcyclists
would be reminded every 5 kms that there are cyclists in the area. Never mind closing roads just specifically for small groups, only for larger organised rides, would make more sense.
The other problem is that road's scenery is just too damn pretty to speed, so i can see why so many cars drive slow around corners, and they probably also worry about wandering animals.

Sad thing is , try to get them to close any roads for " one morning " for 15,000 plus motorbikes to conduct a charity event like the toy run & they would laugh at you .

When cyclists pay for rego and CTP the same as motorcyclists (and have drivers licenses) then by all means give them the same privileges, otherwise, back on your cycle paths.

BTW I used to be a cyclist.

To summarise

Full registration and CTP fees

License tests and fees

Front number plates on all bicycles

No club colours

In states where there are vehicle inspections - same for pushies

Have I forgotten something??

A law to wear helmets...oh that's right there is, interesting how a lot of them get away with it and rarely anything is said or done.

Maybe us other (licenced) road users can pick and choose which laws to obey, like you don't really need to stop at red lights and stop signs if you don't feel like it....

Thanks Barry

I forgot about helmets and also lane filtering and riding on footpaths.

I also forgot demerit points for infringements.

Please don't think I am against pushbikes. All I ask is that all road users be treated as equals (well, almost equals!!)

BanditDave wrote:When cyclists pay for rego and CTP the same as motorcyclists (and have drivers licenses) then by all means give them the same privileges, otherwise, back on your cycle paths.

BTW I used to be a cyclist.

To summarise

Full registration and CTP fees

License tests and fees

Front number plates on all bicycles

No club colours

In states where there are vehicle inspections - same for pushies

Have I forgotten something??

The pushies got the Prime Minister on their side ... good luck with getting those reforms enacted

BanditDave wrote:When cyclists pay for rego and CTP the same as motorcyclists (and have drivers licenses) then by all means give them the same privileges, otherwise, back on your cycle paths.

BTW I used to be a cyclist.

To summarise

Full registration and CTP fees

License tests and fees

Front number plates on all bicycles

No club colours

In states where there are vehicle inspections - same for pushies

Have I forgotten something??

An exemption for kids under 12

Instead of disparaging the good old bicycle we should embrace it, join their ranks.   

If we add a bell and flashing lights we could say the Bandit is a motorised pushie, the motor is there to act as the power generator for the lights. 

Then no licence, no rego, no CTP, no worring about the road rules, life would be great.....

I think this is a case of a member of a minority group putting his mouth into gear before his brain .
Of course their lanes run out at intersections where there are multiple turning choices ............... Adelaide roads weren't designed to be use as segregated vehicle friendly .
Gorge rd is 80 KPH not 110 KPH so is he suggesting all 600 ninja riders travel at 30 kph above the speed limit  ?
The layout of the road system in the hills means that to get to point A from point B with roads blocked off in the middle of your trip could add 20 to 30 minutes to your trip .
 Does he really think all push bike riders are going to be happy riding on a couple of roads ....................I think not .
 The volume of bikes used for tourist purposes on these roads would be negligible so these roads would be mainly empty for the most part ..................especially in crappy weather .
The old argument that   everyone is entitled to be on the road is quite true , but just as horses are eligible to use this theory , common sense must prevail  & just as our equestrian friends use safer places to ride their horses , Adelaide already has a host of bike paths  in place that can be used  in a number of locations right across our city which should be utilized by cyclists . 
Why is it some think it is a good idea to close off roads for a minority group to have a bit of fun on , but ask for assistance to help with the flow of traffic with a charity event e.g. the toy run , cancer runs etc & the response is always negative ?

Sorry MadMax one rule for all regardless of age if they wish to participate in such a ridiculous proposal

I can see how the regulators would produce a driving test, written and practical for cyclists. Can you imagine a 4yo doing such a test and why shouldn't they have to do so.

Keep the pushies on the footpath where they belong.


Actually, I had better be careful what I wish for.

Up here in Hervey Bay there are quite a number of oldies using mobility scooters on the footpaths and in bike lanes.

I'm not sure what rules apply but I will endeavour to find out more.

barry_mcki wrote:Instead of disparaging the good old bicycle we should embrace it, join their ranks.   

If we add a bell and flashing lights we could say the Bandit is a motorised pushie, the motor is there to act as the power generator for the lights. 

Then no licence, no rego, no CTP, no worring about the road rules, life would be great.....

 

As a kid I loved my bike and was pretty good on the BMX track. I think horses have a place too on the roads, but I've got to admit that the Lycra bunch can be a bit bizarre at times. Each to their own, I say put yourself in the other persons shoes these days. We don't need closed roads or slow speed zones, we just need to try and share the road where possible. I think roads faster than 60kms are very dangerous for cyclists though. One of the guys at work was killed on the main highway on his racing bike after riding it from Work 60+ kms every day for 15+ years. Bloody sad for his family, he was a nice guy too and had a family that were great road racers.