Joined: Nov 13, 2003 Posts: 9,956 Location: Wellington
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 9:37am Post subject: Should Cyclists Have To Indicate?
The demerit point thread http://www.vorb.org.nz/ftopict-77352.html has made me wonder a little more about whether or not cyclists should have to indicate. My reaction is "absolutely not" based on my 18 year experience as a cycle commuter in Wellington. I dislike sacrificiing more than half my control to reinforce what should be obvious from my position on the road. And, if a motorist is unsure what I'm about to do, perhaps they should be required to give me the benefit of the doubt, and yield to me? I'm interested in your thoughts.
Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 12,590 Location: Looking for gozzies - have you seen any?
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 9:44am Post subject:
yes, as cyclists we should be able to choose which laws we obey, and if that causes an accident, we can still blame motorists for not anticipating our "obvious" intentions
By all means - dont indicate, but you void your right to complain about motorists doing the same.
Joined: Nov 13, 2003 Posts: 9,956 Location: Wellington
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 9:45am Post subject:
jeremyb wrote:
Aren't we required to by law already? you should be able to ride a bike safely with one hand for 5-6 seconds!
that may be so in Christchurch, but a lot of Wellington's intersections are built on hills, and so the speeds involved make sacrificing a brake quite a risk. I have at least three intersections on my morning commute where I have right of way and am travelling through them at 40km/h or more. The worst one is a side street coming from Aro Valley into Karori, and I'm on the main road, so do not need to indicate at all. Another is a small roundabout (Kelburn viaduct), where I'm turning right, and usually have right of way.
I used to take a left down the Rigi, but indicating for this was a kcirp because of Northland Rd which heads off in the same direction, but a little bit earlier. I'd indicate for the Rigi, and cars turning right into Northland Road would assume I wanted Northland Rd, and that they had right of way...
Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 12,590 Location: Looking for gozzies - have you seen any?
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 9:52am Post subject:
I know of 2 one armed drivers in wellington, indicating for them occasionally regures them to take their one hand off the wheel, should they also be excused from indicating whilst driving?
Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 10,323 Location: Home sweet, cold home
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 9:52am Post subject:
Ummm, yes - we should indicate. Ok, roundabouts might be an exception because of the nature of quick changes, but I always indicate to change lanes or turn. I just wish there was an obvious sign for 'I'm going straight through here' for places like heading straight on SH2 through Horokiwi etc.
I don't mean I use the arm straight out, sitting right up style (heck, I don't even wear flouro - I prefer reflective strips/bands and bright lights which are much more obvoius - so can't go to those extremes!) but I point very directly. I also try to make eye contact when it's possible.
Joined: Nov 13, 2003 Posts: 9,956 Location: Wellington
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 9:57am Post subject:
thorg wrote:
I know of 2 one armed drivers in wellington, indicating for them occasionally regures them to take their one hand off the wheel, should they also be excused from indicating whilst driving?
I'm surprised it's legal to drive with one arm. What does the road code say...?
I hardly ever indicate, the only times I do is if there is a car waiting for me and im turning left instead of going straight (as a courtesy) but only if im not braking at the time.
I indicate where I can, which, at the speed I travel at, is at pretty much all the ambiguous intersections from home to work
Even in the bus lane?
Yup, but only if there's a car sitting there waiting to pull out of that side street. I look at them directly and stick my right arm out - removes the ambiguity about whether I'm heading up the hill or round the corner.
Joined: Nov 13, 2003 Posts: 9,956 Location: Wellington
Posted: Thu 17th Apr 10:01am Post subject:
phunk wrote:
I hardly ever indicate, the only times I do is if there is a car waiting for me and im turning left instead of going straight (as a courtesy) but only if im not braking at the time.
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