"Zebee Johnstone" wrote in message
.. .
Reason I ask is that the Motor Cycle Council has heard disquieting rumours
about how some cyclists are planning to try and baulk motorcycles by
spreading wide as the bike approaches, and some motorcyclists plan to
kybosh this by riding between the cyclists and "scaring them by
swerving".

You can imagine what a bloody stupid idea it is on both sides....

Zebee,

IMHO this highlights the need for both MC and cycling advocacy to finally
get together to 'sort a few things out'.
Given that both cyclists and motorcyclists are both marginalised minority
road users, who receive probably equal amounts of stereotyped flack for just
existing on the road (see Peter S's comments for example "thank God I never
took up such a socially obnoxious pursuit as motorbiking." - there's nothing
like tarring everyone with the same brush!! )

By 'sorting things out' I mean that many of the issues faced by both
cyclists and motorcyclists are the same, but they don't seem to realise it.
The benefits of each of these types of transport are remarkably similar (to
both the community and the individual). The types of crashes they are
involved in are very similar. "SMIDSY" (Sorry Mate I didn't See You) is
something only motorcyclists and cyclists understand. The cases they put to
governments are nearly identical.

So why can't cycling and motorcycling representative groups for the first
time in Australia be allies instead of opponents? Just understanding each
other's (very similar) points of view would be a nice start, instead of
taking the "holier than thou" stance..... Both of these road user groups are
seen as 'socially irresponsible' by the majority of tip-tops out there....

Gemm
(Divides time between a Wilier with Dura Ace and a Suzuki SV650)