Shamelessly stolen from UC-UK
best wishes
james
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=October2005&file=Local_News200510107830.xml
or
http://qwer.org/dangerbikes
Cyclists a threat to motorists
Web posted at: 10/10/2005 7:8:30
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: Asian expatriates riding bicycles are emerging as a growing
threat to
motorists driving along some of the main roads of Qatar. Most of these
cyclists do not wear helmets and ride rickety bikes and manage to give
traffic authorities the slip.
The problem is acute during peak traffic hours of the holy Month of
Ramadan,
from about 8am to 9am and again, about 30 minutes before Iftaar. Roads
where
such cyclists can be seen vying dangerously with cars and heavy
vehicles are
the one leading from Al Muntazah to Musheireb, which experiences
bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours, Najma street leading from
Gulf
Cinema Interchange to Mall Roundabout, Rayyan Road from Mannai
roundabout to
the series of small traffic light junctions, Grand Hamad Street and
Airport
Road. Most of these cyclists are low-paid workers who cannot afford
other
modes of transport, such as taxis and work at road construction sites
that
dot the capital.
Some cyclists told The Peninsula that they were unaware of the local
traffic
law that makes it mandatory for them to wear proper safety gear such as
helmets and shoes with reflectors. Some of the bicycles of these
workers
were in such poor state that they did not have the front and rear
reflectors, headlamp and a horn or bell to warn pedestrians.
Motorists complained such cyclists often try to ride at high speed,
alongside bigger vehicles such as cars, 4x4s and trucks, increasing the
chances of an accident. Others cross roads carelessly, expecting a
speeding
vehicle to slow down or apply brakes to prevent collision.
The situation is extremely dangerous at traffic lights, where cyclists
tend
to race cars and trucks to cross over to the other side.
Some cyclists deliberately ride in the center of the lane, forcing
motorists
to slow down or move to other, faster lanes, thereby increasing chances
of
an accident.