These death zone bike lanes really feel like a trap where you can't win. If you ride in the bike lane, you're terrified of being knocked into traffic, but if you ride with traffic then you get shouted at and close-passed, told to get back in the bike lane. So you're terrified either way. I think I'd rather have no road markings, so at least there'd be no excuse for shouting.
Agree - no edge markings would be better for cyclists, drivers just have to stay wide and cyclists get more room to decide where is the safest position to ride.
Another great video @bikeroutebuddy I have to agree with @anthony if parking is permitted it’s not a bike lane and we should ask them not to paint bike signs on the road as they only aggravate ignorant drivers. CoGG has community consultation open now till June over its Integrated Transport Strategy we must be clear and loud about demanding safe separated bike lanes on a few intersecting roads so we can get by with our lives. 😊
I love the video content. The bus racing to stop in front of you in the bike lane is a common occurrence for any commuter. Bike lanes just encourage car drivers to open their door or walk to their car without looking first for cyclists. Keep up the content. Cheers
I'm old enough and experienced to ride only where I know it's safe. When idiots create bicycle lanes like those shown here I use the footpath. I need to go a bit slower and give way to foot traffic, but I am not going to get killed or maimed because of some uneducated bureaucrat's bungling attempt at traffic control. 68 yo bike rider
Those DZBLs are shocking and need to be removed/fixed asap but until they do it's worth reminding ourselves not to be fooled by all the paint. The council may be hoping that cyclists stick to the bike lanes and follow the bike stencils, stay left of the the continuous edge line and eventually get so scared that they give up riding altogether... but...The law is clear. Bike lanes are only mandatory if they are practical to use and more importantly, . Whenever there's a DZBL - I'd get out into the centre of the lane or even further? to force the motorists to pass safely in the adjacent lane or wait. Don't waste thought on worrying whether drivers would like it or not, we all don't like doing some things that we have to, like getting up early to go to work or completing our annual tax return but we still fulfill our requirements. In my experience most motorists are happy to accommodate you. These are local roads after all, not the motorway or racetrack and we still have to get places.
Also add Western Beach along the waterfront heading into the city (from Drumcondra way). Once you get past Drumcondra you're in the door zone all the way to Deakin when the bike lane just evaporates. I've just started riding an e-scooter in the bike lanes recently into work in the CBD and it's terrifying along those "door zones". What's the use of a bike path that sandwiches you between a parked car that could pull out or open their door any second and cars whizzing past you? Also, the number of drivers that just encroach onto the bike lane while driving or just can't park and leave their car hanging out into the bike lane, is a disgrace. Too busy playing with their phones etc most I see. I have a mirror on the right side of the e-scooter (literally a lifesaver) and a very bright flashing light on my back (even during the day) so they can see me (if they look) and I can see cars that are being driven by distracted drivers and are in the bike lane and make escape plans if they don't see me. Not parking in the CBD saves me money but over the last few weeks I've been doing it, it's a real eye opener and truly terrifying. Craig
Yes. The size of the vehicles that travel along Ryrie St. is terrifying! I'm alway amazed that this is allowed to happen. I mean, it's the main East-West shopping strip in Geelong. Imagine if giant trucks were allowed to travel along Bourke St. Melbourne 😜
On behalf of the community that has a licence and vehicle - Thank you for being sensible and courteous. You are a very rare kind, if only more were like you !
I had 4 near misses. Almost just gave up. But basically use dedicated paths if I can even if it takes me twice as long to get where I need to be. 1) Car pulled through stop sign in moorabool (dedicated bike path) street near Toyota. Already featured on a video. 2) Hamilton Hwy Car mirror hit my handle bar. Luckily I don’t have my hand on the bar. Shattered the car mirror. 3) Torquay Hwy at Kidman Ave. lady pulled out and ran my left bike pedal into her front grill. 4) Pioneer Rd Grovedale. Florist Van done a left into a side street and was so close my front tire left a mark on his van. So yeah good times.
You're riding down some pretty busy streets - that's a conscious and deliberate choice you are making. It may be safer on alternative routes which don't necessarily have marked bike lanes, but are less hectic ... just saying.
Totally agree, the point is these bike lanes are not fit for purpose. Often there are no alternative routes, or you may be trying to access the services on these streets so there is no other option.
Ride Geelong most days. All the streets you mention have alternate roads within a short distance. Better to ride in another street one block away with little traffic than to risk your door death zone. Do you not look into each vehicle as you approach? Heres a tip if there is no-one in the roadside seats of a vehicle then it will most likely not be opened into your path.
Yeah, most drivers in your video aren't giving the legally required 1 metre of space when overtaking. I'm amazed that VicRoads will approve bike lanes when there isn't enough space for an overtake. It's much safer to take the whole lane in these places, but legally we're supposed to ride in the bike lane providing space to be illegally and dangerously overtaken.
There's no need for sufficient space to overtake; if a person in a car can't overtake a person on a bike without getting too close, then they should wait behind them.
@bikeroutebuddy Given the (understandable, in most cases) lack of foresight for bicycle paths when designing and building transport infrastructure, and how overwhelmingly dangerous it is to comply with the "must ride in the bike lane" rule, I would interpret the exception "unless it is not practical to do so" as the rule rather than exception for bicycle riders in the vast majority of cases. I don't know the stats for bicycle riders being issued traffic offences, but to me it seems a video like this could be used as evidence to argue one's way out of an infringement. I've had one too many close calls in my younger years, and have seen far too many near misses that would have resulted in rider death since, to ever want to put my life at risk by switching to bike riding as my main choice for commuting.
Every time I watch your videos on how bad Geelong bike lanes are I'm jealous of how good they are compared to Bendigo. Carparks that are narrower than a sedan let alone an American supersized ute or a delivery truck together with narrow bike lanes are an absolute recipe for disaster.
I’m going to do a video on how good the Bendigo Creek trail is compared to the off road shared paths in Geelong. Where the Bendigo creek trail crosses roads, it gets priority. Where the trail crosses the creek there is space for bikes and walkers to pass, and where there is a junction, there are way finding signs. These can’t be said for the shared trails in Geelong. The bike lane to white hills at least wasn’t in the door zone for most of it. I didn’t see much bike infrastructure in the centre of Bendigo though!
The Bendigo creek trail and the O'Keefe rail trail are the 2 particularly good bike routes if you just want a social ride. I haven't ridden either in a long time. Neither 1 has a decent cycling route to get there from the suburbs. If you're trying to commute anywhere by bike then you're really lucky if there is anywhere where there is more than a few hundred metres of decent bike lanes or bike suitable roads.
They are legalising riding bikes on footpaths, its highly recommended you use them, as a cyclist i hit with my 4x4 found out the hard way, when you use your flog device in lycra, instrad of a footpath, and you get smashed - in the guy i hits case, hospitalised and bike crushed - you have absolutely zero legal system help, when you foolishly decided to hold up traffic instead of using an empty legal footpath.
I have started to ride on footpaths now. My life is worth more than a redundant law. Safety over rules any law anyway. Naturally you need to ride with caution on a footpath but it’s far better alternative around the city to do so than on the road.
If you can park in it, it's *not* a bike lane
These death zone bike lanes really feel like a trap where you can't win. If you ride in the bike lane, you're terrified of being knocked into traffic, but if you ride with traffic then you get shouted at and close-passed, told to get back in the bike lane. So you're terrified either way. I think I'd rather have no road markings, so at least there'd be no excuse for shouting.
Yep, it's intentionally sabotaged bike infrastructure. Worse than none at all.
Agree - no edge markings would be better for cyclists, drivers just have to stay wide and cyclists get more room to decide where is the safest position to ride.
If anyone abuses you for riding in a fashion to avoid getting doored, tell them to fark off.
Ryrie st is terrifying, even in a small car, the trucks are enormous.
This is the infrastructure equivalent of malicious compliance
Another great video @bikeroutebuddy I have to agree with @anthony if parking is permitted it’s not a bike lane and we should ask them not to paint bike signs on the road as they only aggravate ignorant drivers. CoGG has community consultation open now till June over its Integrated Transport Strategy we must be clear and loud about demanding safe separated bike lanes on a few intersecting roads so we can get by with our lives. 😊
I love the video content. The bus racing to stop in front of you in the bike lane is a common occurrence for any commuter. Bike lanes just encourage car drivers to open their door or walk to their car without looking first for cyclists. Keep up the content. Cheers
I'm old enough and experienced to ride only where I know it's safe. When idiots create bicycle lanes like those shown here I use the footpath. I need to go a bit slower and give way to foot traffic, but I am not going to get killed or maimed because of some uneducated bureaucrat's bungling attempt at traffic control.
68 yo bike rider
Greetings from the Netherlands. Your roads look so crazy scary!
I've been to your beautiful country and I'd love just 1% of your infrastructure and planning around bikes. It's embarrassing over here really :) Craig
Those DZBLs are shocking and need to be removed/fixed asap but until they do it's worth reminding ourselves not to be fooled by all the paint. The council may be hoping that cyclists stick to the bike lanes and follow the bike stencils, stay left of the the continuous edge line and eventually get so scared that they give up riding altogether... but...The law is clear. Bike lanes are only mandatory if they are practical to use and more importantly, .
Whenever there's a DZBL - I'd get out into the centre of the lane or even further? to force the motorists to pass safely in the adjacent lane or wait. Don't waste thought on worrying whether drivers would like it or not, we all don't like doing some things that we have to, like getting up early to go to work or completing our annual tax return but we still fulfill our requirements. In my experience most motorists are happy to accommodate you. These are local roads after all, not the motorway or racetrack and we still have to get places.
Also add Western Beach along the waterfront heading into the city (from Drumcondra way). Once you get past Drumcondra you're in the door zone all the way to Deakin when the bike lane just evaporates. I've just started riding an e-scooter in the bike lanes recently into work in the CBD and it's terrifying along those "door zones". What's the use of a bike path that sandwiches you between a parked car that could pull out or open their door any second and cars whizzing past you? Also, the number of drivers that just encroach onto the bike lane while driving or just can't park and leave their car hanging out into the bike lane, is a disgrace. Too busy playing with their phones etc most I see. I have a mirror on the right side of the e-scooter (literally a lifesaver) and a very bright flashing light on my back (even during the day) so they can see me (if they look) and I can see cars that are being driven by distracted drivers and are in the bike lane and make escape plans if they don't see me. Not parking in the CBD saves me money but over the last few weeks I've been doing it, it's a real eye opener and truly terrifying. Craig
Yes. The size of the vehicles that travel along Ryrie St. is terrifying! I'm alway amazed that this is allowed to happen. I mean, it's the main East-West shopping strip in Geelong. Imagine if giant trucks were allowed to travel along Bourke St. Melbourne 😜
The guy that ran everyone over there, his father lives in Coober Pedy SA, I've worked on his house. Lovely old fella. Shame about the son.
I don’t normally ride Ryrie as I usually go north/south. I was shocked when I rode it for the video.
I'd prefer to ride on the footpath than those death lanes.
On behalf of the community that has a licence and vehicle - Thank you for being sensible and courteous. You are a very rare kind, if only more were like you !
@@jamesaustralian9829 That comment came from a sense of self preservation from those with a sense of entitlement who drive 2 ton chariots.
I had 4 near misses.
Almost just gave up. But basically use dedicated paths if I can even if it takes me twice as long to get where I need to be.
1) Car pulled through stop sign in moorabool (dedicated bike path) street near Toyota. Already featured on a video.
2) Hamilton Hwy Car mirror hit my handle bar. Luckily I don’t have my hand on the bar. Shattered the car mirror.
3) Torquay Hwy at Kidman Ave. lady pulled out and ran my left bike pedal into her front grill.
4) Pioneer Rd Grovedale.
Florist Van done a left into a side street and was so close my front tire left a mark on his van.
So yeah good times.
That is a common story I hear. After one too many near misses, people give up and go back to driving.
You're riding down some pretty busy streets - that's a conscious and deliberate choice you are making.
It may be safer on alternative routes which don't necessarily have marked bike lanes, but are less hectic ... just saying.
Totally agree, the point is these bike lanes are not fit for purpose. Often there are no alternative routes, or you may be trying to access the services on these streets so there is no other option.
Ride Geelong most days. All the streets you mention have alternate roads within a short distance. Better to ride in another street one block away with little traffic than to risk your door death zone. Do you not look into each vehicle as you approach? Heres a tip if there is no-one in the roadside seats of a vehicle then it will most likely not be opened into your path.
Alternate streets don’t work if you are heading for a destination on the Main Street.
Yeah, most drivers in your video aren't giving the legally required 1 metre of space when overtaking.
I'm amazed that VicRoads will approve bike lanes when there isn't enough space for an overtake. It's much safer to take the whole lane in these places, but legally we're supposed to ride in the bike lane providing space to be illegally and dangerously overtaken.
There's no need for sufficient space to overtake; if a person in a car can't overtake a person on a bike without getting too close, then they should wait behind them.
Is this the best you've got? I couldn't see anything wrong with any of it 👍
@bikeroutebuddy Given the (understandable, in most cases) lack of foresight for bicycle paths when designing and building transport infrastructure, and how overwhelmingly dangerous it is to comply with the "must ride in the bike lane" rule, I would interpret the exception "unless it is not practical to do so" as the rule rather than exception for bicycle riders in the vast majority of cases. I don't know the stats for bicycle riders being issued traffic offences, but to me it seems a video like this could be used as evidence to argue one's way out of an infringement.
I've had one too many close calls in my younger years, and have seen far too many near misses that would have resulted in rider death since, to ever want to put my life at risk by switching to bike riding as my main choice for commuting.
Every time I watch your videos on how bad Geelong bike lanes are I'm jealous of how good they are compared to Bendigo. Carparks that are narrower than a sedan let alone an American supersized ute or a delivery truck together with narrow bike lanes are an absolute recipe for disaster.
I’m going to do a video on how good the Bendigo Creek trail is compared to the off road shared paths in Geelong. Where the Bendigo creek trail crosses roads, it gets priority. Where the trail crosses the creek there is space for bikes and walkers to pass, and where there is a junction, there are way finding signs. These can’t be said for the shared trails in Geelong. The bike lane to white hills at least wasn’t in the door zone for most of it. I didn’t see much bike infrastructure in the centre of Bendigo though!
The Bendigo creek trail and the O'Keefe rail trail are the 2 particularly good bike routes if you just want a social ride. I haven't ridden either in a long time. Neither 1 has a decent cycling route to get there from the suburbs. If you're trying to commute anywhere by bike then you're really lucky if there is anywhere where there is more than a few hundred metres of decent bike lanes or bike suitable roads.
Do you have to ride in the bike lane in Australia?
Depends on the state. But most states say - you must ride in the bike lane unless it is not practical to do so. I referenced this in the video.
This looks like the Northern Suburbs of Sydney.
It could be anywhere in Australia, as all the engineers seem to copy the poor design of everyone else!
"Top 10"??? Bottom 10!
They are legalising riding bikes on footpaths, its highly recommended you use them, as a cyclist i hit with my 4x4 found out the hard way, when you use your flog device in lycra, instrad of a footpath, and you get smashed - in the guy i hits case, hospitalised and bike crushed - you have absolutely zero legal system help, when you foolishly decided to hold up traffic instead of using an empty legal footpath.
Footpath riding is not legal in Victoria unless you are under 13 or accompanying someone under 13. It is legal in some of the Australian States.
I have started to ride on footpaths now. My life is worth more than a redundant law.
Safety over rules any law anyway.
Naturally you need to ride with caution on a footpath but it’s far better alternative around the city to do so than on the road.
Imagine bragging about harming other human beings and still thinking that you're a decent person. You belong in jail.
Wow, this psycho fancies himself judge, jury and executioner 😆
Fark, what a psycho, and what is meant by zeo legal system help?