Shane Warne v cyclists

[blackcat]

Yes and cue the murdoch, news limited, left wing hating conspircacies. Some of you lefties are unbelievable of what you accuse the Herald Sun considering The Age is no better.


It has been fair. They spoke to plenty of cyclists and cycling groups on Channel 9 & 7 news. COverage on The Herald Sun quoted CYcling groups as well and certainly gave them equal representation. I do not know where you get that there was a "clear emphasis was that cyclists dont belong on the road" in the media. Some cyclists really are victims all the time and don't seem to be able to accept blame. Each side has bad drivers and bad cyclists butit seems that many on both sides say the other one is copmletely at fault. And before you ask yes I have been hit by a car on the road before where the driver drove off with no regard for my welfare so yes I have been a victim of such incidents.

who is this Shane Warne u speak of ACF?

 

[Martin318is]

Yes and cue the murdoch, news limited, left wing hating conspircacies. Some of you lefties are unbelievable of what you accuse the Herald Sun considering The Age is no better.

Oh my GOD! I'm WOUNDED! coff coff... help!

This isn't America ACF - I don't give a damn what your political leanings are and adding comments about my supposed leanings in this topic (Shane Warne attacking cyclists - remember that?). They have just as little relevance as what you THINK mine are.

Have to laugh at the idea that I have to have a left bias in order to notice that the Herald Sun pitches its stories at the viewers of Today Tonight and A current affair.

I'd suggest you sit back and think about why YOU feel the need to defend that paper against a comment that wasn't even directed at you.

Some cyclists really are victims all the time and don't seem to be able to accept blame.

I will assume that you are not including me in this because if you are meaning me then you clearly have no idea what my opinion is on this topic.

I know that you have been following the TDU heavily so will excuse your confused idea of how Shane's comments have been received. Here is just one of many examples:
Miranda Devine

It went right across most radio stations earlier this week with continual talk back support for a "get them off the road" standpoint. This has been the biggest recent anti-cyclist wave since Magda Szubanski's dumb effort.

The government has happily accepted the police point of view that they dont have the resources to deal with helmet-less cyclists let alone red light jumpers etc. They don't even prosecute drivers that commit minor offenses. Now all of a sudden, its ALL cyclists that are at fault and should be banned from the road, yadda yadda yadda. And of course, suddenly Doyle is back on his hobby-horse of being opposed to bikes.

Want to deal with issues with cars and bikes in Melbourne?

Improve the road surfaces inside bike lanes
On the spot fines for those without helmets.
Cycle cops to actually ride around rather than leaving their bikes parked at the library and standing there
Police on swanston st etc to stop and fine cyclists that breach the laws

AND

apply the valid fine to drivers that car door cyclists
apply REAL penalties to drivers that negligently kill or injure people (mobile phones for instance)
Fine drivers that drive or double park in bike lanes
Make it legal for bikes to left turn at red lights when safe.
Make it law that bikes have to hook turn right at lights
Education programme for new drivers to teach them what cyclists are allowed to do.
For that matter, fix the currently defrauded driver licensing programme so that people with driving licenses can actually safely drive a car

 

[Cobber]

Want to deal with issues with cars and bikes in Melbourne?

Improve the road surfaces inside bike lanes
On the spot fines for those without helmets.
Cycle cops to actually ride around rather than leaving their bikes parked at the library and standing there
Police on swanston st etc to stop and fine cyclists that breach the laws

AND

apply the valid fine to drivers that car door cyclists
apply REAL penalties to drivers that negligently kill or injure people (mobile phones for instance)
Fine drivers that drive or double park in bike lanes
Make it legal for bikes to left turn at red lights when safe.
Make it law that bikes have to hook turn right at lights
Education programme for new drivers to teach them what cyclists are allowed to do.
For that matter, fix the currently defrauded driver licensing programme so that people with driving licenses can actually safely drive a car

+1 (if you make those rules Australia-wide).

To ACF: would you feel differently if this whole thing involved a completely random driver rather than Shane Warne?

 

[auscyclefan94]

+1 (if you make those rules Australia-wide).

To ACF: would you feel differently if this whole thing involved a completely random driver rather than Shane Warne?

No. It seems that Warne was at fault. I am trying to be not so narrow minded and immature like some on this topic who can't seem to fathom that a cyclist actually might be at fault and therefore just need to insult Warne.

 

[simo1733]

No. It seems that Warne was at fault. I am trying to be not so narrow minded and immature like some on this topic who can't seem to fathom that a cyclist actually might be at fault and therefore just need to insult Warne.

Do you actually ride ACF?

 

[Martin318is]

No. It seems that Warne was at fault. I am trying to be not so narrow minded and immature like some on this topic who can't seem to fathom that a cyclist actually might be at fault and therefore just need to insult Warne.

Lets look at the wider issues:
1) I have NO problem with the concept that 'a' cyclist may be at fault in any single altercation with a driver - AND OFTEN ARE - or in generally bringing riders into disrepute.

2) The collection of information on this particular incident leaves no grey area. If only considering the fact that Warne clearly admits hitting the rider with his car and then illegally leaving the scene plus the photographic evidence that this indeed happened.

3) Whenever this topic is raised in the manner that Shane raised it, there is a noticeable change in the behaviour of drivers on Melbourne's roads - don't believe me? Ask wade Wallace of the CyclingTips blog. (yes, on the Age website too)

4) Cyclists HAVE to defend themselves loudly in this debate - simply put, when on the road, a cyclist may annoy or slightly delay a car BUT a car can KILL a cyclist.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Witness has spoken to media saying that Warne actually rammed into the cyclist not once but twice.

Surely he can be charged for doing such a thing?

 

[oncehadhair]

Why does he have to be a role model? He doesn't have to be accountable to me or you or anyone else.

He doesn't. Certainly isn't for me. But unfortunately like many other sportsmen he is whether we like it or not - just because he has the fame of someone who is good at sport.

Sporting bodies require it of their representatives to be of good character.

And his comments about riding single file suggest he hasn't really done any research about the topic either - just expressing opinion.

He was never a good sport on the field and he is demonstrating the same off it.

 

[Martin318is]

Witness has spoken to media saying that Warne actually rammed into the cyclist not once but twice.

Surely he can be charged for doing such a thing?

This is the bit that makes me vomit in Victoria. The cyclist went to the cops and told them the story, identifying Warne within 15mins of it happening (it was actually around 200m from St Kilda Rd police station).

The response? "Not worth pursuing, may we suggest you mount a civil case?"

Apparently assault is not woth their time (this type of road rage is covered under that law)
Apparently fleeing the scene of an accident is not worth their time (clear law on that one too)

Victim statement + Witness statement + physical evidence + public announcement of guilt by assailant = "We can't be bothered".

 

[Cobber]

Witness has spoken to media saying that Warne actually rammed into the cyclist not once but twice.

Surely he can be charged for doing such a thing?

I wonder if Warne might soon come to regret this whole episode......

 

[Llewellyn]

I wonder if Warne might soon come to regret this whole episode......

I doubt it, he doesn't seem like the sort of person to ever admit that he's wrong. And his legion of knuckle-dragging, bogan fans will still think he's right

 

[CobbleStoner]

unfortunately, this happens everywhere, I moved from LA to Amsterdam, partially because riding in LA it seems everyday has a close call with a car. Holland supposedly has great cyclist protection laws. I was riding out in the country where a cycling path crossed a road just in front of a roundabout. I thought I had the right of way (I didn't), and slowly started crossing. the driver makes eye contact with me and accererates a little to show me he has the right of way. I turn quickly to the left to avoid being hit and put my right hand on his fender to keep me up and away from his tire, he is braking at this time so he is not going very fast, when I touched his car for balance, he then turned into me and accelerated again, pinning my bike into the curb and knocking me down, bloody leg and a cracked dropout. he gets out of the car and starts yelling at me, I almost knocked him out, but thought I will let the police handle it. after calling the police, getting his license plate, waiting an hour, they did nothing. next time it happens, I'm going to pound the guy and limp off

 

[Stingray34]

Victim statement + Witness statement + physical evidence + public announcement of guilt by assailant = "We can't be bothered".

This equation really is depressing. It reflects my experience with police, too. Who'd wanna be a copper these days, hands tied, under-resourced and reduced to being revenue collectors.

Someone on a bike is going to die soon because of the hate this sorry affair is generating.

 

[craig1985]

who is this Shane Warne u speak of ACF?

Oh you know, cheated on his wife numerous times and tested positive for a diuretic and copped a one year ban for some lame excuse.

 

[Trev_S]

There is a petition being run with the response sent through to Victorian Police to Investigate Shane Warne for his actions.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/51/investigate-shane-warne-for-cyclist-hit-and-run/

 

[blackcat]

paul barry said 1000 different chicks c85. And Steve baggy green had a record of 53 "servicers" on a tour of caribbean, thats more than one a day!

 

[Llewellyn]

Well it looks as if Warne may have won the PR side of this. While out riding with my friend this morning, we had a ute with 2 yobbo's in it come up behind us as we were entering a roundabout and, without indicating, turn left across us. We shouted a warning and they pulled in to a lay by, yelled abuse at us and got ready to chase after we had gone past until they saw 2 guys following us, one of whom was built like a brick shed. Then they must have thought better of it and driven off in the other direction.

Then later on some bloke leant out of a car as it passed us and swore at us, before finally a P plater tooted his horn as he drove past.

The bogans are gradually taking over this city

 

[briztoon]

ACF have you followed the media reportage of this event?

On Wednesday Warne held a press conference where he got stuck in to the "lycra wearing aggressive cyclists", and called for bicycle registration. Warne even said that cyclists behaviour was going to cause a riot soon.

All the media focused on the issue of bicycle registration and what punishment could be handed down to a cyclist who broke the law. The overwhelming response from the public (read The Age & SMH feed back responses to their articles) was an attack on cyclists "not owning the road", "pay rego or get off the road" and numerous threats of violence towards cyclists from motorists.

Yes, some media did interview cyclists and representatives of cycling bodies, but they (papers, TV and radio) still pushed an anti cycling agenda.

No media took the time to investigate the incident that occured Tuesday evening and find out who was at fault.

It wasn't until Thursday that The Age reported the cyclists version of events (copied from the blog) and stated a witness (motorist behind Warne) had come forward in support of the cyclist version of events.

Well then everyone shut up. No media asking questions of Warnes' actions. No media questioning whether Warne should be charged with assault for using his vehicle as a weapon. Nothing!

Yeah I say there is a 95% anti cycling agenda in the media.

 

[leftover pie]

it would appear shane warne's campaign is having an effect at a grass-roots level:

Silver Volvo deliberately causes accident

he reaches out to the common man

the common man responds with some very common deeds.

 

[woodie]

it would appear shane warne's campaign is having an effect at a grass-roots level:

Silver Volvo deliberately causes accident

he reaches out to the common man

the common man responds with some very common deeds.

I hope that guy ends up in bloody jail

 

[Cobber]

Appaling...

I hope he has his day in court!

 

[auscyclefan94]

ACF have you followed the media reportage of this event?

On Wednesday Warne held a press conference where he got stuck in to the "lycra wearing aggressive cyclists", and called for bicycle registration. Warne even said that cyclists behaviour was going to cause a riot soon.

All the media focused on the issue of bicycle registration and what punishment could be handed down to a cyclist who broke the law. The overwhelming response from the public (read The Age & SMH feed back responses to their articles) was an attack on cyclists "not owning the road", "pay rego or get off the road" and numerous threats of violence towards cyclists from motorists.

Yes, some media did interview cyclists and representatives of cycling bodies, but they (papers, TV and radio) still pushed an anti cycling agenda.

No media took the time to investigate the incident that occured Tuesday evening and find out who was at fault.

It wasn't until Thursday that The Age reported the cyclists version of events (copied from the blog) and stated a witness (motorist behind Warne) had come forward in support of the cyclist version of events.

Well then everyone shut up. No media asking questions of Warnes' actions. No media questioning whether Warne should be charged with assault for using his vehicle as a weapon. Nothing!

Yeah I say there is a 95% anti cycling agenda in the media.

The media focusesd on both bicycle registration and Warne's incidents. You are also basing what you think the media think about this issues on comments about the incidents from the general public on these newspaper's websites.

I do agree that they protected Warne after the witness came out about it but I do think the media have been rather balanced in reporting the initial part of the incident but by the negative cyclist agenda people have has come from people driving their cars on the road and just hearing about these incidences not media favouring one side or the other.

 

[Cobber]

it would appear shane warne's campaign is having an effect at a grass-roots level:

Silver Volvo deliberately causes accident

he reaches out to the common man

the common man responds with some very common deeds.

It looks like the poster of this thread deleted it. Luckily we have google cache...

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...753&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=firefox-a

 

[Le breton]

Lets look at the wider issues:
.........
4) Cyclists HAVE to defend themselves loudly in this debate - simply put, when on the road, a cyclist may annoy or slightly delay a car BUT a car can KILL a cyclist.

Many many years ago (35?), when I lived in the US, a Qantas representative called me on the phone and I answered her questionnaire about my opinion of Australia - she was presumably trying to recruit potential tourists or design future advertizing in the media.

Asked in particular about my general perception of the country, I answered that I more or less imagined it as a copy of the mid-19th century Far West in the US. Maybe it wasn't that much of an exxaggeration!

 

[elapid]

It looks like the poster of this thread deleted it. Luckily we have google cache...

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...753&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=firefox-a

Wow - they nailed him. Found and posted his work address and Facebook page. Wonder if he is copping it from cyclists.

In answer to the media coverage, I am an Australian living overseas and am only exposed to The Age. I found The Age was quite balanced - it initially reported Warnie's side of the story but then a day or so later reported the cyclist's and the witness's sides of the story when they finally came forward. I also found the reader's comments in The Age (I read the first 70 or so) very pro-cyclist and anti-Warnie. Not sure if it worsened afterwards, but I was actually very heartened to see the pro-cycling response.