Rude riders

I AM AN avid cyclist and a motorist. I work in the cycling industry, so I get to speak to many, many, cyclists; however I get to speak to many motorists as well. My complaints to the smaller sister newspapers have on many occasions been aimed at the motorists, who seem to feel that cyclists have no right on the roads and they should be cycling on the finer verge of the road.

However, this time my gripe as a cyclist first, then motorist, is at the cyclists. Firstly, there is a rumour circulating that because of the number of complaints by motorists along Chapman’s Peak, the relevant authorities are thinking of charging cyclists or stopping them from using Chappies all together. I cycle over Chappies regularly and find it a stunning and beautiful part of our coastline to enjoy, particularly by bike.

However, there are groups of cyclists who for some reason seem to enjoy riding two by two and sometimes even three abreast and then get annoyed when motorists start getting agitated because they cannot pass.

What these cyclists tend to forget is that the cars can’t overtake as on many occasions there are other cyclists coming down the other side of the road. These groups of cyclists are fast becoming unruly road users, who swear at and abuse motorists but themselves do not obey the rules of the road.

I ask, please… get your act together and practise safe cycling. I propose that cyclists who disregard the basics on the road, ride two and three abreast particularly on narrow roads have their bikes confiscated. How? The council/local government can employ people to patrol the roads, particularly along Chappies, for all the complaints along that route and stopping law-abiding citizens from future use because of a few careless cyclists I think would be a good idea.

I know it sounds silly at the moment, but there will be a time when a motorist will come round a blind corner and smash into four or five cyclists who were riding two or three abreast and killing two of them or severely maiming them, will something only then be done?

There was talk that the powers that be would start charging cyclists to use the Chapman’s Peak route. Problem is that as a cyclist I know that many would take the attitude: well I have paid, so will ride how I please.

I stay in the southern suburbs and I myself have seen them riding three to four abreast and getting abusive with motorists.

Our roads are already not very conducive for motorists and cyclists at the best of times, so we need to share and respect each other’s rights as road users. CHRISTOPHER SCOTT SUN VALLEY