The battle between cyclists and disgruntled road users isn’t going to die down, despite the best efforts of the city to try and appease both sides. You probably know where our allegiance lies but perhaps we should fire a few more shots and see who bites first.

For those of us working in Woodstock we have watched with interest as the ‘green cycle lanes’ took shape, granting cyclists their own slip stream that wasn’t dependent on motorists obeying parking laws. We know that doesn’t happen, but now that the green lanes are done and dusted cyclists are going to be rather stoked?

The City of Cape Town is certainly trying to look after them, with this below from their official site:

The City has noted complaints from the cycling fraternity and media reports about motorists parking or driving in the green lanes that are for the exclusive use of cyclists. Steps will be taken during the course of the next few weeks to address the lawlessness and general disregard along cycle lanes within the city and in Salt River…

“We do, however, also need our cyclists’ assistance with this campaign. We would like them to take ownership of the cycle lanes and to be our eyes and ears on the road. I therefore want to appeal to the cycling fraternity to please report transgressors to the City. I can assure them that the City’s Traffic Service will take action and enforce all illegal parking and stopping in the cycle lanes” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron.

Here’s the thing, you see – who is policing the cyclists when they show bugger all regard for the rules of the road? Case in point these guys who we drive past daily, merrily whizzing along side by side and causing those of us who want to create that 1,5 metre gap to basically veer into oncoming traffic. It’s not cool, you can chat when you get to the next coffee shop and annoy patrons with your toit outfits and flashing headlights, but while you’re on the road how about showing motorists some respect?

Maybe you recognise who we are talking about?

We’re not at war here (yet) but surely respect is a two way street? If you want some kind of harmonious relationship between different road users let’s begin by not shouting from the rooftops when we don’t get our way, then flout the very safety regulations put in place to protect cyclists.

You might think these snaps show cyclists only peeking out from the green lane but we see far worse around these parts every day.Do we really have to resort to naming and shaming to see a change? If you recognise any of these folks maybe just remind them that the rules of the road apply to both two- and four-wheeled users.

We could get nasty, real nasty, but we’re hoping some lessons are learnt before something horrid happens.

[source:ctgov]