A cyclist's plea...

[reeves68]

I ride my bike every day in and around Byron Bay, but I am becoming ever more concerned for my safety on the roads. I have lost count of the number of times that cars have cut across me to make a left turn rather than wait for me to pass the turning, and it's got to the stage where I have to assume that cars in side turnings will pull out into my path. The other day someone in a car pulled out of Woolies without looking and I went straight into their side, effectively writing off my bike. Cars also pass far too close to cyclists.

Two points then:-

1. if you're a motorist, please keep your eyes open for cyclists! a small lapse of concentration on your part could mean serious injury or even death for a cyclist. (apologies, however, to careful drivers)

2. if you're a cyclist, have you experienced the same kind of thing? if so, is anyone interested in trying to get some kind of safety awareness program going (hopefully in conjunction with the local police)?

cheers

[obisghost]

G'day mate. I ride to and from work.

*I use the bike paths where I can
*Ride on back streets rather than the main street
*I wear a helmet
*Ride with the assumption that every motorist seriously wants to run me down.

These strategies seem to keep me away from trouble.

Local council has slowly been providing more cycle paths which has improved the situation somewhat.

With such a transient tourist population - raising awareness may prove difficult.

Stay safe.

[simo]

The junction outside Woolies is just insane. Every day I pull out of the junction directly opposite of Woolies (Carlyle onto Johnson) in my car - and I regularily see a lot of near misses (and waving of arms).