Some days, as a bike rider, it’s hard not to think the world’s against you; cars leave you gaps no thicker than a whisker, pedestrians shout you off trails, paths and banks, and building owners refuse you any space to lock up your ride. This is not always the case, but today it most certainly was. I had a bus sidle up next to me as if he were a teenage boy making a move in the back seat of a car; I had a car blatantly turn right in front of me despite the bright fluro green circle glaring in my direction, and the red one glaring in his; and I had a ‘oh-so-lovely’ note from a ‘business manager’ telling me “do not park your bike here” (‘here’ being precisely where I was told to park my bike in the first place). What was perhaps the most perturbing part of my day was the confused look I received from the ‘building manager’ when I told him “no, I will not leave my bike unlocked, outside, unattended”. Funny how I don’t think leaving my $3000+ bike unlocked in clear view of random passersby is a reasonable proposition.
Yes, I realise I sound a little bitter; a little jaded; a little snobbish perhaps? I also realise that I, myself, have provided ample inspiration for many a “I hate bike riders” rant among Sydney motorists and building owners, but as a bike rider I am more vulnerable than these people; it is the rider, not the motorist, who will suffer irreversible facial disfiguration if a car door suddenly bursts open in a bike lane; it is my source of transportation, well-being and bank account that will be under serious threat if my bike is stolen outside a building; it is my livelihood that will be compromised should I failed to negotiate the millimeter wide gap between an over-eager bus and a poorly parked car.
But what is the solution? Rants are all very good for venting frustration and regaining dignity, but what precisely do I propose to amend this situation: Sanctioned bike lanes that don’t also double as car parking, rubbish dumping and dog walking thoroughfares? A cyclist awareness campaign for motorists? A plastic bubble separating me and my bike from the perils of the world? Although appealing, these suggestions will only go part of the way to fixing the problem – eventually bike lanes will run out and spit you back into the world of traffic, awareness campaigns are unlikely to erode the solid foundations of anti-cyclist sentiment and plain naivety currently haloing the Sydney public, and as for the bubble, well that was really a credible suggestion, I just like dishing out ideas in groups of three. So back to square one. The only real progress I can see us making in the decline of non self-inflicted cycling injuries, and terrifying near-misses, is to better equip bike riders to deal with whatever comes up. Become an expert at navigating gaps in traffic, kicking down swinging car doors, locking up bikes to whatever stable object you can find. Am I proposing you ride like a maniac? Not exactly, riding like a maniac can be fun in the peace of the bush or the quiet of deserted city streets, but I wouldn’t recommended as an every approach to cycling. What I would recommend is riding defensively and assertively, taking advantage of riding in a bunch, and learning to avert disaster where possible.
Ok, so this wasn’t meant to read like an advice column, and it certainly wasn’t meant to come across as holier than thou; though I fear it does both. Really, I just had the shits and felt like sharing what I believe to be a common state of frustration among fellow riders…
4 responses so far ↓
1 sasha // Jun 12, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I have, for years, wanted it to be a prerequisite for obtaining your drivers license to have to spend a day navigating the city on a pushbike to have an understanding of what it’s like to ride, I have also wanted there to be compulsory re testing when your license expires after 5 years, not just pay your cash, get a new license. I doubt this could ever happen, but here’s hoping. Being ex Sydney I have to say unfortunately Sydney drivers are the worst. I was nearly killed about 8 years ago when I got hit by a flat bed truck because the driver was trying to save 2 minutes.. and yep, you have to ride prepared for the worst possible thing to happen at anytime, because it does. Rant over
2 Deb Gallo // Jun 14, 2010 at 2:45 am
I feel for you Emily – sometimes we take for granted what we have here in Amsterdam. I hope the situation in Syd improves..i do plan to return one day and i don’t plan on leaving my bikes behind here !
Take care and keep the bike spirit strong!
Dxx
3 Keir Whitcher // Jun 14, 2010 at 6:57 am
I recently spent 4 months in Sydney Emily and I have to agree with you and I am not just being a rampant Victorian. It is a real shame considering that Sydney cyclists are some of the most friendly in Australia. I think it is the aggression generated by having to spend that much time in traffic trying to get where you are going.
At the moment we are in Perth and it is just as dangerous as they dont spend any time in traffic and have good roads but dont tend to concentrate as well. Here in the West they also have that same Eastern States passion for the oversized 4WD, the natural enemy of the bicycle. Sounds like I better get back to Melbourne!!
4 Jewlz Ellem // Jun 18, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Yo Emily!
Totally viable rant dudette – I concur wholeheartedly!
Sash, I’m also with you – I’ve recently been saying to my fellow motorcyclist / bicyclist friends that it should be a prerequisite for all car drivers to first get their motorcycle licence. And in order to maintain your drivers licence it should be mandatory to continually upskill (eg driver training courses) or resit your drivers test. I also think the more people riding bikes the better – including pedestrians.
It never ceases to amaze me how out of tune Sydney kids seem to be with their surroundings – whether they be putting their mascara on whilst driving, or talking on their phones and not looking when crossing a road – it drives me bonkers. I wanna know what kinda dim wit walks across a road without looking and potentially putting themselves in front of a car? It seems though, absent-mindedness is the new norm in our city.
Are we honestly relying on computers and technology to think so much for us that we don’t even realise the dangers we put ourselves and others in?
I think, for cyclists, we constantly take our lives in our own hands. We are the most vulnerable of all – because as you said Em, we hurt the most in accidents. And whilst the car / truck / bus driver has forgotten us, we’re still in recovery.
It’s only after you fully understand what it takes to be vulnerable (and also, strong in that vulnerability), add knowing first hand that something somebody else does in order to save a few minutes can affect the rest of your life, you kinda word up, and get yourself aware of everything around you. Take responsibility for your life. Life it fully and powerfully.
And as frustrating as it is, we owe it to ourselves to be eternally vigilant; raise awareness through our experiences with others; abide by the law whilst we’re on the road to keep our community’s credibility. Add the fabulous work by people like the Amy Gillett Foundation – and we are slowly gaining awareness for our plight.
I believe there is sunshine for us at the end of this rainy cloud… I just don’t know if it will come soon enough!
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