Sharing the road16/02/2009 12:45 - (SA)
Craig Barrett, News24 User

I find the arrogance of motorists and cyclists sad. Motorists think they own the road - I've even been pushed off the road deliberately by motorists for no reason. This attitude is exemplified in the fantasy that the road is only for cars.

Some cyclists do things that annoy motorists. I know the frustration caused by this sort of thing as I've gotten caught behind cyclists riding in a bunch on roads that are narrow and windy, making it impossible to get past and it's happened on more than one occasion.

Cyclists riding straight through red lights at intersections where there's a road to the right have no right to complain if they get hit.

I have occasionally turned left against a light at an intersection when there's no traffic coming and the front car is indicating to turn left. Why? Because I know that when the light changes it's better if I'm out of the car's way or I risk getting hit.

The point here is that motorists who have never cycled mustn't assume that cyclists do what they do because they think they own the road or are trying to annoy motorists.

Chicken and egg scenario.

Quite often cyclists do what they do as a defence (cycling straight through a red traffic light at an intersection doesn't fall into this category). Bear in mind that the side of the road is often of poor quality and dangerous for cyclists, so that may be why the cyclist isn't hugging the edge.

What we have is a sort of chicken and egg scenario. At some point a lot of motorists decided it was acceptable not to obey the rules of the road such as indicating, giving cyclists' sufficient space and so on.

At some point cyclists decided that it's acceptable to break other rules, such as riding in single file near the left side of the lane and stopping at traffic lights.

Cyclists treated the motorists' attitudes as a licence to do what they like and motorists treat the cyclists behaviour as a licence to treat cyclists as if they have no right to be on the road. Vast generalisations of course, but reflecting the attitudes of a fair number of people on both sides.
What is the solution? Clearly the cyclists aren't going to stop cycling, so calls for cyclists to be taken off the roads are pointless. The answer, I believe, is where so many answers lay - education.

Motorists need to learn that cyclists have every right to be out on the road and deserve the respect that the motorist would expect to receive from any other vehicle and they need to learn what cyclists actually are and aren't allowed to do. Cyclists need to learn the same thing, though from the other end. They need to learn to respect the motorists and the fact that they don't have a right to do things like hold up traffic.

Enforce the rules

If cyclists want respect from motorists they have to respect motorists and vice versa. The rules should then be enforced. Cyclists caught disobeying the rules should get fined, just like motorists should when there is someone to witness and fine the cyclist or motorist.

However, if you as a motorist sees a cyclist doing something they shouldn't, point it out to them, but don't be belligerent about it. The same goes for cyclists. You may still get abuse hurled at you, but take it in your stride. People's attitudes aren't going to change overnight.

Over time, if cyclists and motorists start showing each other respect, the roads would become safer for cyclists and less frustrating for motorists. But don't imagine that either side can just sit back and wait for the other to take the first step

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