Gold Coast debate: Cyclists vs motorists

IN THE battle for the road bike riders have come off second best, with the majority of Gold Coasters backing a motorist after he had a fiery clash with a group of cyclists. What do you think?

IN THE battle for the road bike riders have come off second best, with the majority of Gold Coasters backing a motorist after he had a fiery clash with a group of cyclists.

Dash cam footage has surfaced of a group of cyclists riding three-abreast in the vehicle lane rather than the dedicated cycling lane on one of the city’s most prestigious streets.

‘BUNCH OF F***TARDS’: CYLISTS, DRIVER CLASH

Cyclists riding along Hedges Avenue at Broadbeach. Photo: Supplied

Carpenter Matt Dennis said his frustration with the cyclists reached boiling point after he was stuck behind a group of six on Hedges Avenue at Broadbeach about 5.30am yesterday.

On a poll posted on the Gold Coast Bulletin today almost 87 per cent of locals voted to say the cyclists were in the wrong.

Gold Coaster PJ Stone wrote: “Cyclists should pay for rego and insurance, they have no right to block traffic like this. They break the law more than most people on our roads.”

While Maureen Gower added: “Why do we have cycle lanes if they are not going to use them. Also not their job to regulate the speed cars go whether they are over the limit or not.

“That’s up to the police. Do the cyclists think they have more right to the road than the car?

“ ... I can’t blame the car driver for getting angry and he wasn’t going too fast anyway or how were the cyclists able to keep up.”

A cyclist points to the speed limit sign.

Mark Thornton wrote on the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Facebook page: “Get in your own lane, I drive up Hedges every morning!

“We have a lane you have a lane, imagine if we drove down the cycle lane, police would fine us $300 and nothing happens to them.”

Sonya Renshaw agreed saying: “They are a law unto themselves and they use the law that is in place against drivers.”

Ryan Christy said cyclists showed little regard for motorists or pedestrians.

“They need to be stopped they cut through the carpark at Charis Seafood to avoid the red light. One day (they’re) going to clean up a kid,” he said.

Debbie Warner added: “Whom ever pays rego should be in the right, people on bikes have a far more easier exit from the situation than a car has.

But Damien Freeman believes: “Everyone has to use the road, just show some patience. “Registration of bicycles is utterly unworkable — think of all the kiddies’ bikes, then what about skateboards and scooters!”

The cyclists eventually moved to the side, sparking a fiery clash with the passing motorist.

Nick Brazier says both the cyclist and driver were in the wrong in this case.

“If there’s a cycle lane (which the article implies), then the cyclists should be in it,” he said.

“I was also under the impression cyclists weren’t meant to be more than two abreast on the road — but that wouldn’t have reduced the issue here.

“The drivers behaviour is also inappropriate. Both groups (cyclists and motorists) have the unfortunate habit of being selfish and just not being willing to share the road and be courteous. “Just want to blame someone else.”

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