Video: Cyclist's view of Dunedin road hazards

Good to see the video has sparked some discusion on both sides.

Old Git: I do not drive a car so I can't comment on the dangers you normally see, but if that is the case, then doesn't this just highlight the issues of all drivers, not just cyclists? And I'm sure the cyclist that died outside the hospital didn't expect a truck to be behind him when he swerved out to avoid a car door. The situation I was in is even worse, as the cycle lane sits between two lanes of traffic, meaning you can't swerve to either side.

Trev: The angle-parked buses are a particular hazard. When they park like this I can't see their mirrors, and it's very unsettling passing beside one when you know they probably can't even see you.

Stuman: As above. That cycle lane is sandwiched between two lanes of traffic, and swerving to either side is just as dangerous. I also agree that shared cycle/walking lanes are not a solution, as they just put pedestrians in the same situation cyclists are in on the road. The one along Andersons Bay Rd is particularly bad as it stops and starts four of five times, requiring cyclists to keep changing between the footpath and the road.

Although I'm sure my actions and reactions in these situations may not always be the best, I'm sure if we had footage of a few days of anyone driving we could sit here and pick out many things they do wrong.

Hi Riley.

I've never had an issue with the police when using my headlamp, so don't let that stop you.

You'll be a whole lot safer (good for night time trail rides too!)

That's the same question motorists ask themselves when having to  take evasive action to avoid collecting cyclists. In my opinion you expect the motorists to look out for your safety but are not interested in looking out for the safety of others. Typical cyclist mentality. The answer, in both cases, should be yes.

Difficult for you to get hit by a truck Riley. You passed her on the inside! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for more cyclists and fewer cars on the road, but cyclists need to step up to their own responsibilities and be more aware of the potential for danger that they present. For instance, I gave up walking to work along Portsmouth Drive a couple of years ago because of the constant danger/near misses from inconsiderate cyclists going in the same direction. 

A further hazard for cyclists and car drivers is the dangerous habit of bus drivers to angle-park at bus stops with the back of the bus potruding often well out into the street.This is a very selfish habit. The bus stops are long enough to parallel park so why do it?The parking police are buddy buddy with bus drivers and do nothing.The bus company management dont care. The police are never to be seen on the streets. Does nobody care? Help!!

The very heart of your video is around how close you feel the danger is to your chosen method of transport.  Except when you yourself get close to a runner that is. And then suddenly we can't believe the wide angle lens?  And what truck was going to hit you if you 'swerved'?   I think a bell and brakes would have been my choice!

[Abridged]

Perhaps Mr. Baker could clarify, but that area looks like Northbound Andersons Bay Road and SH1 intersection.  One of the most unsettling in all of Dunedin, for cyclists, drivers, pedestrians - all of us.

If it is, the point of video may have been to raise awareness of what a dangerous section that is for all of us.  On this day, a jogger had put herself in an extremely dangerous situation. Instead, perhaps she would have been better served to ignore the lure of safety pretended by a painted lane in the middle of a complicated, merging, multilane highway intersection.  I personally stopped cycling that route last year for safety concerns - it just plain feels dangerous.

To your point, it does appear the cyclist came uncomfortably close to the jogger.  But keep in mind it would be a death wish for anyone to veer out of that particular bike lane suddenly.  If the cyclist didn't have time to do a full 360 scan and pass safely, they have few choices left but to slow down, stop, hold their line.  It's hard to tell from the fastforwarded video, as it appears more dangerous than it probably was, but clearly the cyclist slowed down considerably.

But still, to drivers, cyclist, pedestrians alike: if you can't pass safely, don't pass.

Sadly, I'd second the comment that video represents nothing unusual in New Zealand.  We have a long way to go as a culture to become more considerate drivers.  The good work of Mr Baker will certainly help - keep it up!

So I should put my life at risk and swerve to avoid the runner, to just get hit by a truck? Also, I should point out that the very wide angle action cams tend to make distances hard to judge.

I've looked at those headlamps, but from what I know having a rear facing white light would be illegal, meaning I couldn't look behind me.

So, to sum up this item up; a cyclist sees the same dangers as every other road user?  Seriously, where's the story here..?  Anyway, I bet that runner appreciated the close fly-by as much as you do and the road works boys loved you ripping through the middle of them - don't you have a bell / the ability to slow down?

And yet look at how closely he comes to the runner in his cycle lane. Like a lot of cyclists he displays as little care and courtesy as the motorists he quite rightly lambasts.

Time to invest in 1000 Lumen helmet lamp (magic shine etc) Riley. I keep mine trained a couple of bike lengths down the road, and use it on half load cycle  so as not to blind other road users. In the event that someone starts pulling out, you just need to give them a look and they are well aware of your presence.  $120 well spent.  

I am amazed it took Riley two weeks to accumulate this number of incidents. It looks like an ordinary day's commuter cycling experience to me.