It's time to stop the carnage

I wrote several weeks ago about how riding a bike in Auckland was literally like running the gauntlet when it comes to trying to share the road with cars, trucks and buses.

Last Thursday we heard that another cyclist's life had been claimed by a driver.

At the time of writing this blog the police had still not found the driver of the ute that hit Dr Graham Robinson.

Yes that's right the person driving hit a cyclist and then did a runner.

In the interests of not saying anything that could help this person get off on a technicality I will not mention what I really think.

It has now come to the point where it is a case of when not if you'll get hit by a car, truck, bus or some other vehicle if you're out riding on the roads around Auckland.

It is just not safe anymore.

You only have to look at some of the comments left on my previous blog to see there is a level of aggression towards cyclists from some drivers.

What is behind that?

Yes, it's fair to say some riders have spoilt it for the rest of us.

It's also fair to say that a lot of Kiwi drivers just do not know how to drive around bikes and more importantly there is the idea that some drivers believe they should be first in line no matter what.

They drive aggressively and God help anyone else who may be in front of them.

For those of you out there that fit the bill maybe it's time to think about how many extra cars would be on the road if the cyclists decided to get behind the wheel.

It's relatively simple really it's one less car on the road.

But while cyclists are being hit and seriously hurt or killed by drivers that's not going to happen.

More and more riders will put their bikes away.

Would it be great if there were some cycling tracks created on roads where we could ride safely? Of course it would but what about the people who want to ride their bikes to work or the kids who ride to school?

Would it be great if there were serious penalties introduced – like there are in some states in America – where drivers can be fined thousands for just getting too close to riders or throwing rubbish at them? Of course it would, but would the police have the resources to follow it up?

A number of people commented on my last blog that cyclists should be charged a road user fee to use the road. Seriously next you'll expect people walking on the footpath to pay to do that too. Most of us drive cars anyway so we pay road user charges.

So what's the answer?

There have to be a few options out there that will result in less riders being hurt or killed.

Creating more cycle lanes is the first step.

Protecting riders using those lanes is the next. If they were kerbed to keep cars out that would increase the level of safety.

But that's not an option for riders who train out on the open road.

So what do we do?

Well it really comes down to changing attitudes doesn't it?

If we all actually shared the road instead of trying to own it maybe things would be a little easier.