Plea to errant cyclists

THERE have been a lot of articles written about road safety and acts of courtesy by motorists towards cyclists.

The City of Cape Town is on a drive to promote safe cycling and is constructing bicycle lanes to facilitate and promote safe cycling. The thoughts behind this are excellent.

As much us motorists exercise caution on the road, so must those cyclists who seem to display, to some extent, disregard to some road rules.

On a trip to Simon’s Town last week, I was disillusioned by cyclists and their total disregard for their own safety.

The stretch of Main Road from Muizenberg to Glencairn is rather narrow and very busy with all sorts of vehicles commuting (cars, buses, trucks, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc).

As a rule, motorists should ensure that they have 1.5m space between a bicycle and their vehicle on the road at all times. What does a motorist do when the cyclist does not keep to the far left of the road, instead of riding at least a metre from the edge of the curb?

Also, when cyclists overtake other cyclists without looking backwards for oncoming traffic or when they show the “finger” when a motorist get too close?

If we all exhibit mutual respect, patience and politeness, we can arrive at our destinations safe and happy.

Both parties must convey appreciation when either one affords the other a good gesture. Instead, additional driving stress is caused by our own intolerance and insensitivity.

If we accept the fact that the road is to be used by any person as permitted by law, let us express tolerance.

Mano Pillay

Rylands