Zebee Johnstone said:
In aus.bicycle on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 14:41:36 +0800
How much more careful can he be than wait for cyclists to stop and
then cross with the green light?
Zebee
fact is , we ... and all the commentators, the media and other agenda drivers, weren't there and therefore are none the wiser.....
there is to be a coronial enquiry, I will be there, and listen to every word, see every submission and aim to report ( factually) what took place...
Several local and national papers and local Melb radio stations have had "exclusive" eyewitness reports, and they too are not all that conclusive on what took place after the cyclists all stopped at the crossing, and the old gent started to cross...but one thing that is for certain, on all the "eyewitness" reports, the Hell Ride group riders, did everything right, the lead group had a green, the group was stretched, the lights changed mid group and riders then stopped in the Hell Ride for the light ...it was riders behind who passed the stopped riders who hit the old gent, and they too went down on the road....
it is not proven conclusively that the rider/s who collided at the crossing where even part of the Hell Ride group, were just trying to stay with a faster bunch?, or were not looking ahead? , didnt stop, or couldnt stop? !!!!...It is clear no matter what, the rider charged, rode around the stopped bikes at the crossing and struck the old gent, the reason for doing that will no doubt come out. We cannot forsee a reason that justifies it, but you never know till you hear the direct evidence.
The media frenzy against the Hell Ride on the "eyewitness" accounts I've heard and read are unjustified, sensational and hype...until it is conclusively proven this outcome is a direct result of the Hell Ride...the coroner may make that finding, but I doubt it.
I am not justifying the Hell Ride, or the concept of hard training rides on public roads, as personal responsibility and discharge of duty of care are paramount, but the facts do not support a public outrage that the Hell Ride is responsible for this death, no more than any other bunch of a hundred or so bunches who ride Beach Road on a Saturday morning could be. Every rider has to accept the responsibility for actions taken, likewise every rider has to ensure skill, competancy and awareness. It is these things , if lacking inevitably cause trauma.
Group riding skills are not all that well known by many riders, there is a clear protocol, and a reason for groups, they enhance visibility, they offer protection, they reduce individual effort and thus preserve mental awareness, and they minimise individual attack from errant rogue motorists.
To derive these skills and competancies is not easy for most, and thus there is a problem in itself, that riders think they can join a group anywhere and all will be well...they do not have training, and likewise there are few trainers or facilities where this is available. (Just ask your LBS, they too may not be able to help you out)
It is way past time for all this to be just a problem solved by banning the Hell Ride...that will solve nothing...there is a need across Australia to provide a level of skill and competency assessment to all cyclists, commencing in our schools, and extending to when a bike is purchased, and that certified training courses be part of the road cycling awareness/competency skillset that is required to ride on the road (and I would extend that to drivers as well).
So, perhaps we should all stop speculating, commenting and ranting and be clear on the points that matter for future safe road sharing...and untill we have a holistic approach to road skill competencies, we all:-
- obey the law
- keep a proper lookout
- be predictable, visible and
- accept responsibility as a road user and become competant and skilled, & above all, always, when on or near a road ( as drivers, pedestrians or cyclists) expect the unexpected !
