As an avid reader of AC, I'm constantly aware of cyclists on our roads. But stupidity and bikes must go together as recently I have nearly collected a number of thrill-seeking cyclists, and I use the term cyclist lightly: cyclists riding with no/limited lights in the wet, not respecting road rules, going through red lights and overtaking between lanes with no respect to turning vehicles seem to be the norm. The worst and most frightening was a group of riders that shot from the inside to the centre lane, at speed, without warning.
All I could envision was 10 bikes over my bonnet, but my brakes held. Thank God no one was behind me, it would have caused a serious chain-reaction accident but it did caused me to stop and get my nerves back together. Not one cyclist stopped to see if I was OK, they only sped away screaming abuse.
Please cyclists, have respect for the motorist, as he/she doesn't always see you. When you are dead or lying in hospital, will you have sympathy for the car driver and their family, or the nightmares the driver will carry for the rest of their life?
You will gain respect by your actions, not by flaunting the rules and causing near deaths.
DAVID MOLLARD
Mosman, NSW