Off Topic

Cyclists

582 replies · 79,083 views
about 12 years ago
Smithy wrote:

I almost got nailed by a jaywalker yesterday on the way home. So no group is innocent.

Before meeting you in Thorndon I had a car, two pedestrains and another cyclist all try and kill me.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 12 years ago

Am I allowed to be surprised he called me f*cked in the head?

I'm not saying it is untrue, just that I didn't expect it.

End of an era.  Vinnie - It's over.

If anyone cares for my inane babbling follow @iluvnix17 on the Twitter.

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about 12 years ago

The most important question is of course, we know Wellington buses dont stop for pedestrians or cars, do they stop for cyclists?

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 12 years ago
Hard News wrote:
Smithy wrote:

I almost got nailed by a jaywalker yesterday on the way home. So no group is innocent.

Before meeting you in Thorndon I had a car, two pedestrains and another cyclist all try and kill me.

wrong thread - this has nothing to do with cycling.

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

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about 12 years ago

meh - I want no part in this barely hidden popularity contest.

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

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about 12 years ago

Legend!

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 12 years ago
I <3 Nix wrote:

Am I allowed to be surprised he called me f*cked in the head?

I'm not saying it is untrue, just that I didn't expect it.

 

Definitely untrue.

But, by extension, you called cyclists twats. I am not especially offended.

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

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about 12 years ago
I <3 Nix wrote:

Am I allowed to be surprised he called me f*cked in the head?

I'm not saying it is untrue, just that I didn't expect it.



As I've stated before, "the fucked in the head" is a collective acceptance that 90% of Kiwis consciously or unconsciously, have in vary degrees, that cycling is a form of deviant behavior and that cyclists do not belong on roads and that cyclists break road rules and are a general menace.

You said that you were all for cyclists rights, but then as a joke in response to HN's very genuine comment implied that we are all out to jump reds and mow down pedestrians.

As cyclists we get really tired of being lumped in with the small minority of law breakers and idiots, really tired. Particularly when we have to put up with cars trying to hook us, buzz us, or as a guarantee for me cycling on a Friday night into work abused by people. I've also had on a couple of occasions people try and run me over or physically threaten me with their cars, once actually run off the road.

The scale of danger that is posed by cyclists is nowhere near the danger that cars pose to us, nowhere near.

In the 13 odd years of living here, 8 or 9 of which I've been actively into cycling advocacy, apart from individual attempts dotted around the country to make cycling a little more pleasant there has been no shift in this country's thinking of cycling. We still get 15 odd people die each year, the roads are still dodgy as hell and peoples attitudes haven't shifted.

As a cycling advocate I was always expected to be nice and pleasant to non-cyclists, when I ride I do, but that approach has not made any difference to changing the attitudes of non-cyclists and these days I have very little time for people to peddle the old myths that we are all dangerous.

Sorry if you got upset, but you basically poked me with a stick.

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about 12 years ago

I, in fact, did not have any idea what Newsy was talking about.

That wasn't a joke, that was me being...well I guess...f*cked in the head.

End of an era.  Vinnie - It's over.

If anyone cares for my inane babbling follow @iluvnix17 on the Twitter.

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about 12 years ago


There are 2 junctions in Karori where, if I am on top of it, I will actively run the red light if there are no cars coming either way.

The first of these is because the Donald Street traffic sensor doesn't seem to recognise my size (yes, a surprise...), so the cars behind me will be waiting 5minutes for a light change. The second of these is because the short length of time that the Whitehead Rd access gets green, means that by me getting away early might get 2 extra cars through onto Karori Rd.

Obviously I am sensible, and do not exercise my choice to break the law if there is traffic coming up or down the Karori Rd. Nevertheless this is a law breaking cyclist out to help tin-tops :-)

  

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about 12 years ago
HH wrote:


There are 2 junctions in Karori where, if I am on top of it, I will actively run the red light if there are no cars coming either way.

The first of these is because the Donald Street traffic sensor doesn't seem to recognise my size (yes, a surprise...), so the cars behind me will be waiting 5minutes for a light change. The second of these is because the short length of time that the Whitehead Rd access gets green, means that by me getting away early might get 2 extra cars through onto Karori Rd.

Obviously I am sensible, and do not exercise my choice to break the law if there is traffic coming up or down the Karori Rd. Nevertheless this is a law breaking cyclist out to help tin-tops :-)

  


Most of those traffic light sensors are magnetic, not weight-related. So if you have a carbon bike you won't trigger the lights.

I have the same problem at a couple of sets on my homeward ride.

Trace, we all luvs you don't worry :)

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

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about 12 years ago

That's interesting - the Aluminium must have special anti magnetic properties then!

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about 12 years ago

Learn something new every day. Didn't know that's how they worked.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 12 years ago · edited about 12 years ago · History

 Good post Smithy.

Yeah there are a few countries dotted around that let you run reds as you can trip the lights. Copenhagan and I think they were looking at it in Portland USA.

My understanding was it was a weight issue that triggers the lights, but its possible it's magnetic

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almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History
Hard News wrote:

Seen that before.  Amazing stuff.



Meh no more that what you're used to on your commute HN?

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almost 12 years ago

Fuck me, I felt every bump he had on that trip. What an awesome course.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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almost 12 years ago

Love the random dog at the start. Awesome vid.

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almost 12 years ago

I'm a very confident cyclist but this is nuts.


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almost 12 years ago

Alive cyclist -
 

 

Dead cyclist -

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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almost 12 years ago

I've spent many hours talking about the pros and cons of ghost bikes. In the early days of my cycling advocacy I bowed to the wisdom of elder folk who felt they reinforced the dangers of cycling and so were unhelpful.  I never really agreed, but toed the party line in my support of cycling advocacy.


I've always found them deeply moving. I found the one outside Palmy on my training for the Enduro by accident and it was wonderful. I always feel I'm being watched over on that stretch which is nuts but comforting.  People who ride and those that ride a lot always care about their fellow cyclists.

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almost 12 years ago

Wow, that is seriously crazy. How on earth could he stand there arguing that it was the cyclists fault? Worse, in the full version the policewoman just berates the cyclist for being on the phone (which was of course pretty stupid also).

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almost 12 years ago

Two wrongs dont make a right but both of them were wrong and thats not right. Motor bike should never have overtaken and cyclist should never have been on the phone.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 11 years ago

watch in big screen.

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over 11 years ago

That was bloody hilarious

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 11 years ago

Utility Cycling!

Yes my kayak is pink and looks like a giant vagina according to the wife. (I must have issues as I enjoy sitting in it floating around in the sea).

Hooked up the kayak and Kayak trolly to an old mountain bike via bungee cords and a knackered bike rack. I'm about  a 5-10 minute slow ride from my house to Pukerua Bay beach. 

Going down the steep hill was not much of an issue and coming up the hill was tough but doable as the kayak, trolly etc probably weighs around 23kg. 

Will probably get a few more cords just to make it more secure and hacksaw off the pannier sides of the rack just to cut off some more weight.

A lot more stable than I thought it would be.

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over 11 years ago

Wouldn't it sink in the water with the extra weight of the bike?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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over 11 years ago

Next time you go out, take a fishing line with ya. I'll take any snapper you get so long as they are legal size. Wife loves Snapper.

I am amused by what your wife said. You might want a peice of cotton around the neck for easy pull out when you exit it.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 11 years ago

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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over 11 years ago

"The Netherlands has launched its first 'intelligent bicycle' fitted with an array of electronic devices to bring down the high accident rate among elderly cyclists in the bicycle mad country. The prototype runs on electricity and sports forward radar mounted below the handlebars and a camera in the rear mudguard. These devices are linked through an on-board computer with a vibrating warning system in the bicycle's saddle (ooh err!) and handlebars. ... It also has a cradle for a computer tablet to wirelessly flash a signal of an approaching obstacle. " etc.

- see today's NZ Herald : "Smart Bike to warn riders'

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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over 11 years ago

Jerzy Merino wrote:

"The Netherlands has launched its first 'intelligent bicycle' fitted with an array of electronic devices to bring down the high accident rate among elderly cyclists in the bicycle mad country. The prototype runs on electricity and sports forward radar mounted below the handlebars and a camera in the rear mudguard. These devices are linked through an on-board computer with a vibrating warning system in the bicycle's saddle (ooh err!) and handlebars. ... It also has a cradle for a computer tablet to wirelessly flash a signal of an approaching obstacle. " etc.

- see today's NZ Herald : "'

You got a link? Couldn't find it. I heard that similar things would be fitted to cars. The biggest danger to cyclists particularly in this car crazy country is getting hit by a car. Not sure how a bike computer is going to tell you that a car driver, is drunk, stoned, half asleep, texting, drinking coffee, all of the above, etc and how to prevent stop them hitting you.

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over 11 years ago

I would have thought the biggest danger to cyclists is what damage the lycra does to the meat and two vege.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 11 years ago

ForteanTimes wrote:

Jerzy Merino wrote:

"The Netherlands has launched its first 'intelligent bicycle' fitted with an array of electronic devices to bring down the high accident rate among elderly cyclists in the bicycle mad country. The prototype runs on electricity and sports forward radar mounted below the handlebars and a camera in the rear mudguard. These devices are linked through an on-board computer with a vibrating warning system in the bicycle's saddle (ooh err!) and handlebars. ... It also has a cradle for a computer tablet to wirelessly flash a signal of an approaching obstacle. " etc.

- see today's NZ Herald : "'

You got a link? Couldn't find it. I heard that similar things would be fitted to cars. The biggest danger to cyclists particularly in this car crazy country is getting hit by a car. Not sure how a bike computer is going to tell you that a car driver, is drunk, stoned, half asleep, texting, drinking coffee, all of the above, etc and how to prevent stop them hitting you.

No link sorry. But the above is most of the article minus cost, $1700 per bike, and estimated production time - 2016. Think it's also govt. funded.

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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about 11 years ago

How about the biggest danger to cyclists is getting hit by a car as the cyclist speeds down the left side of a single lane during rush hour and  car or bus moves over to the left (e.g. to avoid oncoming traffic)?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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