From today's letters page in The Age http://www.theage.com.au/letters/index.html Not a lot more I can add to it.
Quite a lot of cycling related letters in today's Age, some good and some downright bad.
Cyclists injured
On Saturday I set out for my regular weekly morning ride along Beach Road, very much aware of the debate about the competing needs of drivers and cyclists. I first came across a fallen rider being attended by cyclists and bystanders. Apparently she had collided with a pedestrian. She did not look in good shape.
I had only travelled a couple of kilometres when I heard a sound of what turned out to be car meeting cyclist. Behind me, on the median strip of Beach Road, lay another motionless cyclist. It seemed the cyclist had been hit at speed from behind. The cyclist had shattered the car's windscreen on impact.
What happened next sickened me more than even the accident. As cars slowed in the opposite lanes, abuse was hurled at us by a number of motorists. I and others were stunned. Here was a fellow human being, potentially seriously injured, and these people could only think to take the opportunity to shout abuse.
There is a problem of congestion on Beach Road and conflict between motorists and riders is common, but if this behaviour is indicative of a deeper problem within our society then finding solutions will be much more complex than closing off one lane on Beach Road for a few hours on Saturday mornings.
To the young lady in the BMW who led the abuse, I hope you got to your appointment on time.
Brian Barry, Camberwell
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Cheers
EuanB
Quite a lot of cycling related letters in today's Age, some good and some downright bad.
Cyclists injured
On Saturday I set out for my regular weekly morning ride along Beach Road, very much aware of the debate about the competing needs of drivers and cyclists. I first came across a fallen rider being attended by cyclists and bystanders. Apparently she had collided with a pedestrian. She did not look in good shape.
I had only travelled a couple of kilometres when I heard a sound of what turned out to be car meeting cyclist. Behind me, on the median strip of Beach Road, lay another motionless cyclist. It seemed the cyclist had been hit at speed from behind. The cyclist had shattered the car's windscreen on impact.
What happened next sickened me more than even the accident. As cars slowed in the opposite lanes, abuse was hurled at us by a number of motorists. I and others were stunned. Here was a fellow human being, potentially seriously injured, and these people could only think to take the opportunity to shout abuse.
There is a problem of congestion on Beach Road and conflict between motorists and riders is common, but if this behaviour is indicative of a deeper problem within our society then finding solutions will be much more complex than closing off one lane on Beach Road for a few hours on Saturday mornings.
To the young lady in the BMW who led the abuse, I hope you got to your appointment on time.
Brian Barry, Camberwell
--
Cheers
EuanB