apologies in advance. i usually try to keep this bit positive, but this guy really got to me this week.
useless cyclists. that is how the hon. simon o’brien mlc has described the 8 cyclist that were killed on western australian roads last year. he has said that riders don’t know the road rules and therefore are getting themselves killed. (see news article). so basically, he is saying that retired associate professor Paola Ferroni, who was struck by a 4WD as she rode her bike along kings park road last november didn’t know what she was doing. that Kaleb Smith who was cycling to work along toodyay road didn’t know what he was doing when he was struck from behind. that 31-year-old Brynt McSwain who was killed instantly when he was struck from behind by Joseph Frances Haenga who had been drinking with colleagues to celebrate a fortnight-long stint of night shift before he drove home, also didn’t know what he was doing. it seems that we are repeatedly being bombarded by the “blame the victim” mentality. i.e. don’t wear that (lycra), don’t be out on that road, don’t be there in the early hours or it is your own fault. now as a government, we need to protect you by restricting you from riding to stop you from being killed. there is no mention of retraining the motorists to know how to react to more cyclists on the road, and god-forbid trying to introduce safe passing laws like other states have. that would obviously cause more head-on accidents. so after all the name calling, is hon. simon o’brien mlc‘s suggestion of more education valid. well, last year in wa there were 184 fatalities on the roads. if you take out the 8 cyclists and 17 pedestrians that still leaves 159 road users that died. that is 159 accidents where the driver was educated in the road rules as they had to pass a test to get a licence. how come we are not hearing about a tightening of these tests to ensure that motorist actually know what they are doing. as cyclists, we are appalled that 8 cyclists have been killed, but 184 fatalities all up and they are concentrating on 4.3%. by the end of 2013 there were 11 fatal shark attacks from 2000-2013. after that there was a campaign in 2014 to bait sharks to make the world a safer place. 8 cyclists die in 2014 and it is because we are useless and don’t know the road rules. in an interview with the hon. simon o’brien mlc, he even posed the question – “when is the last time you have seen a cyclist indicate when they are making a turn”. well since i have seen lots of cyclists doing that (actually better than motorists on roundabouts) then i would question – “when has the hon. simon o’brien mlc actually observed what cyclists really do”
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here.
ride leaders sponsorship – this months ride leaders are proudly sponsored by Riders Choice. please see the previous post detailing what they provide and we thank them for encouraging our members to step up as ride leaders. you can still take advantage of this offer if you book in march for a fit in april. ride leaders will receive a $10 Dome voucher to be used after the saturday ride. if you have a business that you want to promote to our members, check out the previous post to both promote your business and help out the club.
club coaches – the club has a few home grown coaches that can help you improve your cycling. whether you are at the transitional level or wanting to make the jump into “a” grade, there is something for you. check out the previous post for more details.
cycling infrastructure survey – please take the time to fill in the survey attached in the previous post. like most things political, it takes more than one voice to get heard. there are lots of spaces in the survey to put detailed descriptions of what you see as the issues. survey closes on the 20th april.
rules of engagement – please read the previous post if you come out on any of our rides. it is up to all members to enforce these rules.
ride routes – new ride route this saturday for the fast/main. it is quite easy with very few turns, but make sure that you have a good look beforehand so you don’t end up in geraldton. sunday is the dams ride, so just be aware that it will be busy down at our start point especially if you are going to drive in.
saturday 18th april
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
development group – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
transitional – trans rebold 38.69km spr saturday
fast & main groups – karrinyup 52.14km spr saturday
sunday 19th april
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
short – khna weir 72.23km spr sunday
long – khna trnr obs 94.99km spr sunday
monday 20th april
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
development group – development ride
main group – south stock 33.76km spr monday
tuesday 21st april
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
ride starts frasers carpark at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
wednesday 22nd april
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
spr wednesday 14.22km (uci masters)
ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am
development group – stock road repeats
thursday 23rd april
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30arm
spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
ride starts frasers carpark at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
friday 24th april
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
Good call Pete. We could always invite the Hon. out for a ride with us and help him see the risks from our perspective.
I’d be happy to take him for a ride….
After he has ‘walked a mile in our shoes’ (or ridden 20km with us), he would be better informed to comment.
Good words Pete, it’s about time this one sided debate became more balanced and public from the “cyclists” perspective . Unfortunately the “gently gently” approach has not worked to date. It’s appalling that cycling wa or similar body has not effectively driven the debate with obvious points of pushback and delivered up the facts that should be in the public space, but are not. It’s currently just a political debate with lazy politicians or journalists grabbing the football in an effort to appeal to the redneck/road rage vote. There should be one voice to represent cyclists, put forward by the community, armed with the facts and able to effectively polarise public opinion more in our favour, where in our favour is without question, ie “1 metre” – this is just a no brainer, how can it not be supported my at least a simple majority of politicians/motorists. SPR are seen as a responsible club, always putting safety first, so who better to pick this up, at least in the first instance.
Well done Pete!