On Saturday morning, a 77 year old man was killed after being hit by a cyclist on Beach Rd in Mentone. That someone was killed walking in front of a bicycle is not surprising. Pretty much anyone who rides a bike in Melbourne will have had a pedestrian walk in front of them without looking at one time or another. The difference in this case is that this man was killed crossing with the 'green man' at pedestrian lights, by a 'peleton' of 200+ unofficially organised amateur riders that were either unable, or unwilling to break the bunch and stop in time.
I can't help but think that bike/car relations in Melbourne are reaching some sort of crisis point. My daily ride to and from work, mainly along bike-friendly back streets, attracts abuse from motorists (and pedestrians) probably once a week on average. People hate bike riders.
As a cyclist, the contempt with which I am treated by those in cars and pedestrians is really quite confronting. A short ride is enough to get the adrenalin pumping as you try not to get cut-off, run-over or run-into. Riding in the city can be a truly scary experience and I think that's one of the reasons cyclists feel they can behave outside the road rules - if someone on a bike is not going to be treated as another car by motorists, then why should they follow the car rules?
This is something I really feel quite strongly about. Put simply, bike riders should follow the road rules. The rules exist for a reason and if cyclists expect to be treated with respect by other road users, they have to demonstrate that they are part of the system by complying with it. Nothing enrages car drivers more than cyclists who ride through red lights.
Which brings me back to the incident on the weekend.
The cyclists traveling in the group were undertaking what apparently is known as the "Hell Ride", a daily ritual among the south-of-the-Yarra lycra-wearers. Traveling from Frankston to Port Melbourne, they travel in a tight group of up to 200 riders at speeds averaging 40km/h and often exceeding 60km/h in places. Those who participate describe the thrill of riding in a big tight group, the surges of power, the borderline control, riding shoulder to shoulder flat out on a road seemingly made for this type of activity. It must be an awesome thing to do.
But it is COMPLETELY inappropriate. Not wanting to get left behind, the 'peleton' will regularly ignore traffic lights, speeding through to maintain momentum, pushing each other on. A group like this would not only be thrilling to ride in, but would also offer protection from the often hostile traffic that travels along Beach Rd. But these are not professional riders competing on a closed course. They are amateur enthusiasts who get together informally, riding on public roads complete with traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, cars, trucks and motorbikes.
It has the same 'fuck you' feel about it as Critical Mass, the monthly protest ride that travels through the CBD during peak hour, deliberately provoking motorists by holding them up and 'making a point'.
No wonder motorists hate us.
I think Melbourne should have more infrastructure to support the growing numbers of cyclists. I think motorists should be more forgiving and much more patient when they encounter a bike on the road. But ultimately, cycling itself needs a cultural change. Those who ride bikes need take greater responsibility for the way they are perceived, whether it's the lycra'd tossers riding their $15,000 bikes in St. Kilda, or the too-cool-to-wear-a-helmet hipsters on Brunswick St.
If you ride a bike, you represent all of us, so do us a favour and don't be an arsehole. At least TRY to follow the road rules and just maybe motorists will start treating us with some sort of respect.
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