For anyone wanting the quick skinny between the Syd and Melb riding experience here it is. I have just moved to Syd from Melb and my heart is heavy, longing for Beach Rd or the Dandenongs.... Anway:
iPod factor - A great barometer to determine how safe the roads are. If you feel like you can comfortably cruise around tapping the hoods listening to Wolfmother or Art Garfunkle (whatever greases your chains) you are in cycling nirvana. Sydney unfortunately is one massive pothole interspersed with the occasional bit of bitumen.
Chicken factor - There is an unhealthy level of disrespect between peddlers and drivers. Lack of viable routes mean that riders are often forced to ride on main arterials and freeways. Frustrating for drivers and dangerous for riders. Situation not helped when peletons ignore basic traffic laws by flying through red lights and cutting off traffic....Nb that Melb's HellRide isn't much better on this count either and as result do now get a regular police escort.
Lobby group factor - Bicycle Victoria is a massive lobby group whose power should not be underestimated and should be replicated wherever possible. Melb is the benchmark....Vast tracts of bike lanes, insurance, huge social rides and community support. Lift Bicycle NSW! It's game on and our lives depend on it!
Syd is short of adequate infrastructure. Poor public transport pushes more cars onto roads but the roads themselves are inadequate to meet the rising demand and are crumbling under the pressure. If I sound overly despondent consider the fact that 5 days ago I had the worst accident of my riding days when I slammed into a car door after a woman sitting in the back seat decided to jump out at a set of lights. The result - a severed middle finger that had to be re-attached. The good news is that over time I should get near 100% use back. The bad news is that Syd drivers do not consider bike riders. They don't have a high enough profile and at best are a pest rather than valid users of road space.
Any thoughts welcome. Just trying to get the debate started.
iPod factor - A great barometer to determine how safe the roads are. If you feel like you can comfortably cruise around tapping the hoods listening to Wolfmother or Art Garfunkle (whatever greases your chains) you are in cycling nirvana. Sydney unfortunately is one massive pothole interspersed with the occasional bit of bitumen.
Chicken factor - There is an unhealthy level of disrespect between peddlers and drivers. Lack of viable routes mean that riders are often forced to ride on main arterials and freeways. Frustrating for drivers and dangerous for riders. Situation not helped when peletons ignore basic traffic laws by flying through red lights and cutting off traffic....Nb that Melb's HellRide isn't much better on this count either and as result do now get a regular police escort.
Lobby group factor - Bicycle Victoria is a massive lobby group whose power should not be underestimated and should be replicated wherever possible. Melb is the benchmark....Vast tracts of bike lanes, insurance, huge social rides and community support. Lift Bicycle NSW! It's game on and our lives depend on it!
Syd is short of adequate infrastructure. Poor public transport pushes more cars onto roads but the roads themselves are inadequate to meet the rising demand and are crumbling under the pressure. If I sound overly despondent consider the fact that 5 days ago I had the worst accident of my riding days when I slammed into a car door after a woman sitting in the back seat decided to jump out at a set of lights. The result - a severed middle finger that had to be re-attached. The good news is that over time I should get near 100% use back. The bad news is that Syd drivers do not consider bike riders. They don't have a high enough profile and at best are a pest rather than valid users of road space.
Any thoughts welcome. Just trying to get the debate started.