There will be a short delay...

Musings

WELL there's going to be a short delay on the delivery of the trike, so to pass the time I've been musing about attitudes both 'to' and 'of' cyclists.

MY current walk to work takes me though the lower Central Business District of Auckland. It's generally very pleasant unless it's raining and bizarrely the only major annoyance isn't the high levels of motorized traffic that flood the roads, it's the group that I normally want to champion - the cyclists.

THERE are two main types of cycle commuter in Auckland; those who generally cycle on the pavements, and those who cycle on the roads but completely ignore traffic signals. I'm generally less bothered by the former group because they are clearly avoiding the roads as they feel they are too dangerous (with some cause), and there are very few cycle-path options in the city. Because they are on the pavement they seem to be generally aware that they are not strictly supposed to be there and therefore cycle slowly and carefully around pedestrians. The second group I have more issues with because it seems to me they are defeating the entire cause of opening cities up to more eco-friendly transport options.

IF you travel on roads but ignore the rules you are not only increasing the likelihood of accidents, you are also lowering your status in the eyes of other users. I can perfectly understand the subconscious (or perhaps conscious in some cases) attitude of a car driver that cyclists aren't 'real' road users, and are therefore not worthy of the proper attention or courtesies. I am also very familiar with the shock and irritation felt by a pedestrian who is crossing a road after having responsibly waited for the green 'walk' symbol only to be nearly mown down by a speeding cyclist.

WHEN I am at my most cynical, my interpretation of this behavior is that people are just people, and if car or motorcycle drivers could get away with simply driving through a red light they would. Of course they have number plates with can be reported and licenses which can be withdrawn. Perhaps it's time for all road bicycles to be registered and and a plate attached under the saddle to allow reporting to traffic enforcement.