G
Gags
Guest
When I was in Sydney a few years ago I used to do quite a bit of riding along the M5 between
Campbelltown and Bankstown. It used to be great as I was training for Triathlons and it was pretty
flat so that using the Tri Bars was possible pretty well all of the time. I never used to use the
"Cyclists Cross Here" part of the exit lane as that involved slowing down, checking for traffic,
then crossing.....instead I used to hug the dotted line and was pretty well of the mindset that
cars behind me would see me in plenty of time to either exit in front or behind me (this is a
100km/h zone).
The other day I was travelling on the freeway here in Melbourne and I saw an impatient driver in
front of me who was right up the back of a large truck in the left hand lane (I mean close enough
that if he were on a bike he would be drafting). He evidently was taking the next exit and when he
pulled out from behind the truck to cross the dotted line that was the one that I used to follow I
realised that had there been a cyclist there, he wouldn't have had a chance. (no cyclists allowed on
this freeway though).
It gave me a bit of a shiver down the spine to think of what may have happened to me simply because
I didn't want to slow down for a couple of seconds to do the right thing.
I hope that anyone else who rides on roads with exit lanes is currently doing the right thing and if
you are not then I would strongly advise that you do.
Keep Safe,
Gags
Campbelltown and Bankstown. It used to be great as I was training for Triathlons and it was pretty
flat so that using the Tri Bars was possible pretty well all of the time. I never used to use the
"Cyclists Cross Here" part of the exit lane as that involved slowing down, checking for traffic,
then crossing.....instead I used to hug the dotted line and was pretty well of the mindset that
cars behind me would see me in plenty of time to either exit in front or behind me (this is a
100km/h zone).
The other day I was travelling on the freeway here in Melbourne and I saw an impatient driver in
front of me who was right up the back of a large truck in the left hand lane (I mean close enough
that if he were on a bike he would be drafting). He evidently was taking the next exit and when he
pulled out from behind the truck to cross the dotted line that was the one that I used to follow I
realised that had there been a cyclist there, he wouldn't have had a chance. (no cyclists allowed on
this freeway though).
It gave me a bit of a shiver down the spine to think of what may have happened to me simply because
I didn't want to slow down for a couple of seconds to do the right thing.
I hope that anyone else who rides on roads with exit lanes is currently doing the right thing and if
you are not then I would strongly advise that you do.
Keep Safe,
Gags