Editor:
There seems to be an unspoken assumption that any altercation between a cyclist and a motorist is automatically the fault of the motorist despite the sometimes entitled and dangerous behaviour of the cyclist(s).
Personally on one occasion my car was “drafted” along Mill Street by two cyclists following me at a distance of no more than a few metres. Had I needed to stop suddenly they would have collided with my car resulting in probable injury to them and damage to both their bikes and my car.
On other occasions on Fairgrounds Road I have come upon groups of cyclists riding in such a way as to occupy the entire lane. To pass such a group requires the motorist to move completely into the opposing lane, a particularly hazardous practice especially when passing a large slow moving group up a long gradient where it is difficult to detect oncoming traffic.
It is a pity that cyclists, since they use public roads, are not required to be licensed and carry liability insurance. While they seem to feel they are the victims of motorists it is not inconceivable that in some situations they might be the cause of accidents. While they think motorists are “bicycle haters” I’m sure there are many cyclists who are “motorist haters”.
Both groups are entitled to use the roads but both groups need to be fully aware of their responsibilities when doing so.
Walter Sickinger,
Mulmur.
The Echo has given voice to opinion that serves no other purpose than to promote division within our community. No doubt there are people that use our roads that have little regard for their own safety or the safety and convenience of others. That should come as no surprise to anyone. To categorize that these road users are cyclist vs. motorist serves only to spin a narrative that the issue is with the chosen mode of transport, not the individual. Some people are more considerate of others and some are less considerate of others. To title this editorial ‘many cyclists are motorist haters’ lacks any objectivity. Most cyclist over the age of 16 are very likely motorists themselves. Many motorists may not regularly be riding a bicycle but most adults have ridden bicycles at some point in their life and therefore would be able to empathize with those that still do. We are us! We are not motorists or cyclists, we are a community that need to look out for one other. Promoting this us vs. them narrative does not improve our community. Please consider before giving a platform to divisive narratives that tear us apart as a community.