I beg to differ! 1. Taxi went AROUND car stopped at the red turning arrow, then through the red turning arrow to crash into me full-on the side 2. Car changed across three lanes of traffic without indicating (as attested my multiple witnesses) to side-swipe me (luckily just a bruise that time) 3. On four-lane one-way street, with me in far left lane doing 40km/h, car sits behind me with hand on horn, then finally swings past and around me in the next lane only to leap back just in front of me and stand on his brakes (luckily I ride a mountain bike, so I leapt it onto the pavement), then gets out of his car shouting abuse at me !! I unhooked my U-lock and told him I would be oh so happy to see which of us would win. 4. Many many other tales of lane-changing without looking, buses that do not believe in red lights, doors opening without looking (I once managed to just fit UNDER one from a truck, all those horsey tricks come in handy!) verbal abuse, things thrown from cars ... which I would mind less if I was an annoying cyclist, but I am a law-abiding, fast-moving, get out of the way if I am causing traffic flow issues cyclist. Well, that should all be past tense, I no longer cycle in Sydney, I'm not up to another six-month physio stint.
I will say on the other hand that with my two very serious accidents motorists were fantastic about also stopping to give help and police reports, and when I once came off my bike due to a broken chain while going around a corner, a taxi driver not only managed not to squash me, but moved out into the next lane to protect me from cars turning without being able to see me.
It's not an Australian thing, it's a Sydney thing, and there are many good and thoughtful motorists, but the bad drivers here are just awful
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1. Taxi went AROUND car stopped at the red turning arrow, then through the red turning arrow to crash into me full-on the side
2. Car changed across three lanes of traffic without indicating (as attested my multiple witnesses) to side-swipe me (luckily just a bruise that time)
3. On four-lane one-way street, with me in far left lane doing 40km/h, car sits behind me with hand on horn, then finally swings past and around me in the next lane only to leap back just in front of me and stand on his brakes (luckily I ride a mountain bike, so I leapt it onto the pavement), then gets out of his car shouting abuse at me !! I unhooked my U-lock and told him I would be oh so happy to see which of us would win.
4. Many many other tales of lane-changing without looking, buses that do not believe in red lights, doors opening without looking (I once managed to just fit UNDER one from a truck, all those horsey tricks come in handy!) verbal abuse, things thrown from cars ... which I would mind less if I was an annoying cyclist, but I am a law-abiding, fast-moving, get out of the way if I am causing traffic flow issues cyclist. Well, that should all be past tense, I no longer cycle in Sydney, I'm not up to another six-month physio stint.
I will say on the other hand that with my two very serious accidents motorists were fantastic about also stopping to give help and police reports, and when I once came off my bike due to a broken chain while going around a corner, a taxi driver not only managed not to squash me, but moved out into the next lane to protect me from cars turning without being able to see me.
It's not an Australian thing, it's a Sydney thing, and there are many good and thoughtful motorists, but the bad drivers here are just awful