As a competitive cyclist based in Benoni, I am all too aware of the dangers of cycling on South Africans roads.
I face a daily challenge of irate motorists, pot holes and generally bad drivers – every day is a lucky escape, and I am relieved when I have completed another training session safely.
All in preparation to represent my country internationally I might add.
Despite being all for an increase of bicycles, and “green” traffic on our roads, be it for sport or commuting, I have become increasingly aware of the need for better cyclist education and law enforcement for cyclists – yes, you heard me right.
Apart from certain bad behaviour by cyclists, I have had the misfortune of becoming the victim of a horrifying new cycling trend, that is, cycling on the wrong side of the road in order to get a better view of the oncoming traffic.
I have seen commuters doing this on a daily basis, as well as parents training their kids to ride bikes in such a fashion on the weekends around the pan.
If the perception is that this is “safer” you have been sorely misinformed.
It is against the law.
I have frequently had to put myself in danger, having to avoid another cyclist (oncoming on my side of the road), by placing myself in the middle of the road to avoid them and, in doing so, putting myself blindly in the path of motorists approaching from behind.
It happened recently.
I collided with an inattentive commuter cyclist, on the wrong side of the road.
While it seemed of great amusement to the attending traffic officers that two cyclists should collide, I had the pleasure of serious injuries, a written-off bike and the end of a racing season.
There was no motor vehicle involved, and now, who will pay for my bills and damages I ask?
