Canberra is a capital offence
Posted February 28th, 2006 in Culture, The Desk
Yep, it’s a truly horrid city, fit only for politicians and Summernats yobbos. But what’s this about cyclists?
I was pedalling down the bike path in Canberra to work the other day, when from behind me came another cyclist. Ignoring the brotherhood of cyclists, he doesn’t ding his bell, or call “Good morning” or an “excuse me” or even “hey you” as he sideswipes me, and as I give a yelp of alarm and veer into a ditch, he pedals away as fast as he can, without so much as a “sorry”.
When I first came to Canberra I was amazed that other cyclists would not return a hello. Cyclists in Lycra are bad. Lycra-wearing cyclists on racing bikes are worse, full of sanctimony and self-righteousness. They’re all single-minded obsessives who deserve to be run over because they ignore the road rules.
I hope Mr. Lang feels refreshed after this little outburst.
technorati tags: cycling, canberra
What others have to say…
February 28th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
I’ve a friend went to Canberra to study who had his house burgled. He lost his video and TV and a bit of money, but the crook left behind, near his broken window, a new bicycle, presumably unsuited to the carriage of stolen goods.
My friend kept the bike as a kind of cosmic, karmic reparations, and watched less TV.
February 28th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Of course he’s not serious, given the nature of the space provided by the SMH which is supposed to be humourous.
But…….it’s nonsense.
Canberra is a cycling paradise and what he describes is NOT my experience.
Funny story Liam. Persumably he spent more time on his bike?
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Is Mr Lang serious? Considering all the hard work put in by Pedal Power ACT I find his observation very curious. Ditto, there’s a sizable MTB & HPV scene. Wonder what Mr Lang has to say about woolly sock wearing ‘bent riders? I await with breathless anticipation to his next despatch…