Tough Twin killed on bike

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

Full text:

AN ELDERLY Townsville man was killed when he was knocked off his pushbike in Cluden yesterday morning.

Robert 'Bobby' Jackson was attempting to cross Racecourse Rd, when a ute stuck his pushbike about 7.30am.

It was believed the 80-year-old Wulguru resident was on his way home from the shop after buying milk when he rode in front of the passing ute.

A Queensland Police spokesman said it did not appear as though Mr Jackson was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the accident.

He was rushed to Townsville Hospital suffering serious head injuries, and died a short time later.

The visibly distraught driver, a 25-year-old Townsville man, was comforted by passing motorists at the scene.

The police spokesman yesterday said that while police were investigating, it was unlikely the driver would be charged over the incident.

Mr Jackson and his identical twin Norman celebrated their 80th birthday in April.

The twins, who all agree were like chalk and cheese, shared some admirable virtues. Like his brother, Bobby never smoked, drank alcohol or gambled.

But there was no doubt the Jackson twins were born tough.

Bobby, a devoted horse-man, was a well-known character in local racing circles.

He spent most of his life in the racing game as a jockey, trainer and farrier.

He had never missed a Townsville Cup.

As a teen, Bobby spent seven months in hospital recovering from broken legs, fractured pelvis, broken ribs and a broken arm after a riding accident.

He survived snake bites and chronic asthma.

Bobby firmly believed the secret to his health was a teaspoonful of olive oil every morning.

"I am as fit as a mallee bull, and all I have done is take the olive oil," Mr Jackson often said.

He swapped his saddle for a bike seat and never looked back. Mr Jackson often rode his bike from his Wulguru home to Annandale - and he could still be seen riding to the local BP service station every other day.

But his long innings came to an end yesterday morning, near his beloved Cluden racecourse.

Bobby is survived by his wife Enid, eight children, 24 grandchildren and a handful of great grandchildren.

Townsville Traffic Branch officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Tony Goddard said the state road toll stood at 142 at midnight on Sunday, 11 more than this time last year. Mr Jackson was the 13th to die on Northern roads this year, which was three more deaths than the same time last year.

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

Hughmann wrote:

> Headlines like this are becoming so common that I am afraid
> that the masses may become totally de sensitised to this sort
> of waste of life.

> Almost becoming pase' to post this type of news unless there
> is some sort of outrage or agenda attached.

I'd actually say exactly the opposite. Cyclist deaths only rate a mention in the paper because they're reasonably infrequent, and thus novel.

The over-reporting of cyclist deaths is (IMHO) the main reason people think that cycling is a horridly dangerous (and thus terribly foolhardy) thing to do.

If they devoted a the same number of column inches to each of the 1200 odd people who get killed in cars, the 250 odd pedestrians, and the 200 odd motorcyclists, then there wouldn't be any room for any other news.

Cheers,

Suzy

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

suzyj wrote:

> I'd actually say exactly the opposite. Cyclist deaths only rate a
> mention in the paper because they're reasonably infrequent, and thus
> novel.

Yes.

> The over-reporting of cyclist deaths is (IMHO) the main reason people
> think that cycling is a horridly dangerous (and thus terribly
> foolhardy) thing to do.

Yup. And you have to wear a helmet so it must be dangerous.

> If they devoted a the same number of column inches to each of the 1200
> odd people who get killed in cars, the 250 odd pedestrians, and the
> 200 odd motorcyclists, then there wouldn't be any room for any other
> news.

What if they devoted the same space to the 5000 people a year who die in
hospitals from medical accidents? If you have an accident and are injured,
don't go to a hospital. Hospitals are very dangerous places.

Theo

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

In article <>, "Damian" <damian.mac@gmail.com> wrote:

> HughMann wrote:
>
> Tough' twin killed on bike
> By JESSICA JOHNSTON
> 20jun06
>
> AN ELDERLY Townsville man was killed when he was knocked off his
> pushbike in Cluden yesterday morning.
>
> Robert 'Bobby' Jackson was attempting to cross Racecourse Rd, when a
> ute stuck his pushbike about 7.30am.
>
> It was believed the 80-year-old Wulguru resident was on his way home
> from the shop after buying milk when he rode in front of the passing
> ute.
> ...
> He was rushed to Townsville Hospital suffering serious head injuries,
> and died a short time later.
>
> The visibly distraught driver, a 25-year-old Townsville man, was
> comforted by passing motorists at the scene.
>
> The police spokesman yesterday said that while police were
> investigating, it was unlikely the driver would be charged over the
> incident.

The report makes the collision sound like a simple accident, but,
whatever the cause, shouldn't the driver be charged with something?
After all, someone was killed by a car.

> ... [biography snipped]...
> Townsville Traffic Branch officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Tony
> Goddard said the state road toll stood at 142 at midnight on Sunday, 11
> more than this time last year. Mr Jackson was the 13th to die on
> Northern roads this year, which was three more deaths than the same
> time last year.

--
K.A. Moylan
Canberra, Australia
Ski Club: http://www.cccsc.asn.au
kamoylan at ozemail dot com dot au

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

Cycling is, by comparison to driving, a relatively "safer" activity. We can get down to the hard data analysis of incidents vs distances travelled later if you wish..

Precluding the obvious need of the media to sensationalise cycling crashes, other possible reasons why the cyclist 'community' reacts differently to road incidents maybe due to not widely held, yet positive overall attitudes. We’re not as desensitised as most of the road using public. We refuse to believe dying on the road is a “normalised” activity.

Recall this speech from Brendan O’Connor about Reconciliation?
"...To see one’s history, warts and all, is not, as some would have it, to wear a black armband but to be true to oneself. We have more to fear from a blindfold than a black armband, as ignorance will impede our progress to becoming a greater nation and a better society..."

i.e: I’d sooner prefer to discuss the issues over pretending all is fine & dandy.

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

DITTO

(highlight it and use edit function to copy, dont right click....same goes for cyclingnews pics...if using XP easy to just let the image activate the XP save graphics and click them instead of right clicking...)

... sad news nonetheless

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

Something else I wanted to add - most of us reading this thread (or a.b) are probably experienced cyclists. Most of us have learnt how to deal with road traffic and the assorted vagaries of sharing the road with cagers. But for everyone of *us* there's a vast number of other potential cyclists who would dearly love to get out there and enjoy cycling.

These stories don't help one iota, but neither does the current fragmented approach than governments & revalent authorities have towards cycling. Cycling is viewed either as a reactional activity on the weekend to be enjoyed on the bikepath, on the singletrack or in a early morning bunch ride.

Cycling as a valid form of road transport is something our *leaders* clearly haven't got their heads around. Yet. So until that faithful day arrives, it's up to experienced cyclists & those who give a stuff to show a positive example to the rest of the community. Get out there and tell your pollies/media/family/workmates what is required. Get out there and ride.

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

there will no doubt be a coronial inquiry and some findings may contribute to improving the lot for older cyclists...

but, and this is a BIG BUT...

what gets me is that all cyclists are still vulnerable, no matter how old

all drivers, must keep a proper lookout and expect to take evasive action, like brake, slow down or steer to avoid...but do they, certainly not...they plough on regardless of the consequences.

and too many incidents occur when drivers consider the alternative between hitting a cyclists and steering off the road to hit maybe a tree or object as the better option and so the cyclist comes off second best and often dead.

This occurred in Frankston to friends of mine, a bunch was riding legally in a line in their own lane, when a local bus decided that to avoid a car and damaging it ( max cost about $500) was more desirable than hitting it, thus he considered he had to steer into the bunch of cyclists beside him instead.

so he steered into the bunch, knocked them all down, put three in hospital, caused over $10,000 in damage to bikes, caused permanent disability to one rider, and admitted to police at the time he decided the bikes were a better choice to hit than slightly damaging a car, and was fined $200 bucks...disgraceful you say...well it is the way it is...very indicative of the attitude of motorists and many people in officialdom (many Police, many judges and magistrates, many politicians, too many lawyers, too many bus drivers, too many truckies, errant drivers, arrogant cusses and other bloody minded selfish so and so's with little respect for life and the sanctity of it...and people ask why we as cyclists are bitter and cycnical of motorists?..

this sorry state of affairs exists...it is so clear in Latin...English just doesnt do it...but it is res ipsa loquitur..."the thing speaks for itself". & like a mathematic formula Q.E.D. (quod errat demonstrandum) "which was to be demonstrated"..

Attitude and behaviour...we have to advocate for change, we have to keep the pressure on and and we have to maintain rage every time someone comes down, is harrassed, injured or killed...because those who should be doing this are not, and will not and will continue to turn a blind eye as long as we allow them to!

So I am with cfsmtb, we have to discuss it, widely, and keep doing so , plus keep this advocacy top of mind..

keep the pressure on and the rage strong.

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

I don't agree that the car driver should be charged with "something"
whatever the cause. The excerpt from the article I read didn't say what the
cause of the "incident" was.

If the cyclist behaved erratically , it may have been unavoidable that the
car hit him.

Being more vulnerable doesn't make you more "right" too.
I think that driver may even be more of a victim even if he isn't more dead
or injured.

Take the example of train drivers hitting cars on level crossings. The car
driver is more vulnerable, but stopping on a level crossing is pretty
stupid, so it makes me think of the train driver as a victim too. They still
have to deal with the trauma of injuring, or even killing, someone they
never had any will to.
Most car drivers are the same, the hostility towards cyclists and the desire
to claim the roads for cars only is borne of a fear of injuring someone.

WIlfred

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

maybe for some drivers, and that would be a positive finding if it could be validated...as the behavioural and attitude adjustment is almost complete.....but pretty sure this doesnt apply to many who have actually hit cyclists, pedestrians and little kids...more likley they didnt look, didnt care or considered themselves way "above " that vulnerable cretin on the bike and decided to show the rider a thing about power and size...!!

the analogy with a train crossing is invalid...trains cannot swerve or deviate to avoid a collision and operate at set speeds for set locations, they can only slow down and in most cases that is not an option that would avoid the collision anyway!

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

cfsmtb wrote:

> Cycling is, by comparison to driving, a relatively "safer" activity. We
> can get down to the hard data analysis of incidents vs distances
> travelled later if you wish..

<snip>

> i.e: I’d sooner prefer to discuss the issues over pretending all is fine
> & dandy.

This is something that causes me no small measure of angst. By most any objective measure, cycling isn't appreciably more dangerous than driving, or walking.

However, over the last couple of years, I've seen a growing "we're the victims on the road" movement among cycling activists. I guess much of it stemmed from justifiable outrage over the McGee case, but the continuing message that's coming out of the campaign is that cyclists are terribly vulnerable, and we're getting killed left, right, and centre.

The problem that stems from this is that if you scare people away from riding, you make it more dangerous for those who remain (the opposite of the safety in numbers principle).

My own feeling is that a more positive campaign is called for. This will get more people riding bikes, and improve conditions (and safety) for all of us. Being positive isn't necessarily being blindfolded, especially when the evidence says that cycling isn't particularly dangerous anyway.

Regards,

Suzy

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

Again, you're experienced cyclist who doesn't mind riding longer distances than most. Some things you brush off probably put off some potential cyclists after only a few trips out on the road.

What is a major problem is the inconsistant approach by road authorities towards cycling - now how do we approach that? From a advocates perspective, we're gradually chipping away at some pretty ingrained negative attitudes. You only have to look at the recent bull**** generated in Sydney by the removal of the William St bikelanes - and the media distraction 'article' by one Miranda Devine.

When a issue arises, be it child rights, domestic violence, kids eating junk food, the list goes on... invariably that's going to be a process where these topics hit the media and talkback. Opinions get thrown around. People commence planning action and/or strategies. After a while, either the situation normalises, legal action takes place, governments pull their collective fingers out, the general public slowly learns there's different way to to the perceived problem. Or compassion fatigue sets in.

This recent topic of cyclist and motorist interactions is simply another variation on that process I've attempted to describe.

Re: Tough Twin killed on bike

Yep...consistent pro-active steps by cyclists, engage interest in a positive way and encourage more riders.

Build a BikeBUS route, start your own, join up with others ...that is one thing every commuting cyclist can consider as a positive pro-active step that directly impacts on their own safety, enjoyment and health plan...with the flow on that authorities, media , and peak transport bodies will surely notice the effect and have to act to support and encourage more...