Robbie McEwen says Gold Coast road users need to learn to be chilled and more tolerant

ROBBIE McEwen has ridden enough roads around the world to know the greatest challenge facing Gold Coast motorists and cyclists. And he’s got a simple solution to the city’s ‘road wars’

ROBBIE McEwen has a simple solution for the so-called “road wars”.

It’s called a chill pill.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a cyclist, motorcyclist, driver, truck driver or taxi driver, everyone is getting narkier at each other,” the Tour de France legend and passionate Gold Coaster said when told of tempers yet again flaring along Hedges Ave.

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“People are generally feeling so entitled to everything that there seems to be problems everywhere. People can’t even line up on foot without getting into a fight.

Robbie McEwen: “I still feel safe (riding on the Gold Coast) but I don’t ride in peak times.”

“I know people in Europe are a lot more chilled and tolerant (when it comes to cyclists) … there just has to be a bit of give and take.”

Truth be told, McEwen is tired of talk of tension between those who wear Lycra and those who loathe them for doing so.

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“It’s such a stupid debate,” he said before later revealing something that reinforces exactly why it should be discussed.

“I still feel safe (riding on the Gold Coast) but I don’t ride in peak times. I’m lucky enough that I can get out during the day whereas most people have to get their ride in before or after work.

“I’ve lived here since 1998, full-time for the past six years, and I’ve definitely seen the traffic evolve and get busier.”

Hedges Ave ... the epicentre of the Gold Coast’s ‘road wars’. Photo: Jerad Williams

Not to mention angrier and it’s that anger that has one of McEwen’s riding buddies fearful of the day a cyclist crosses paths with the wrong person.

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“There is tension out there,” said Mat Rogers, the pro-footballer-turned-amateur-triathlete.

“It worries me that a cyclist who does the right thing may one day encounter a driver who’s running late because he wasted too much time on Facebook before leaving for work and their frustration gets taken out on the cyclist because there was a stupid bike in their way.”

Mat Rogers: “I’m not going to argue with a car because you’re not going to win.” Photo: Scott Fletcher

That said, Rogers is quick to acknowledge not all cyclists help their cause.

“Unfortunately some of them think they’ll take up space (on roads) because they’re entitled to and that pisses me off so much,” he said.

“You can argue all you want but I’m not going to argue with a car because you’re not going to win.”

And, as his final words highlight, the stakes for losing are incredibly high.

“We might be allowed to take up some of the lane but I feel obligated to stay out of that space because I’m a husband and a father and want to ultimately get home to my family.”