Last Wednesday (1/10) was a dreary, rain soaked day. After doing a lap of Yarra Blvd, I rather unwisely decided to pedal down Heidelberg Rd. I approached the Hoddle St off ramp with some nervousness, although the on-road bike lane has been marked in orange.
I kept pedalling along, with 2 rear lights on, silently praying that the heavy traffic turning left would take notice of me keeping a straight line towards Queens Pde.
My brave steed & I reached the middle of the bikelane across the offramp. Sensing some relief, I heard the traffic turning behind us.
Until a *!$ing B-double decided to turn left in front of us. Luckily we decreased speed & avoided being flipped by the rear trailer.
I was more [censored] than scared. If by some chance I could of confronted the driver, my reaction would of been extremely unladylike. Bloody fool placed him/(her?)self, other road users & me in danger.
Anyway, later on I cheered myself up with the thought of genetic engineering. Foreign Correspondent (ABC) had a story on Alaskan fishing, which included fascinating info about the Halibut.
Read on:
"A halibut's life begins in an upright position, with one eye on each side of the head, but during the first six months of a it's life, a halibut goes through an unusual change. The fish's form begins to flatten, and its left eye migrates to its right side. At this time a halibut begins to swim flat on its side along the ocean bottom."
Just maybe this could be perfected for crappy conditions on Heidy Rd, like being able to rapidly move one or both eyes to the back of your head.
Failing that, it looks like someone in local government has heard numerous cyclists prayers, & are going to take appropriate action. Ah, there is a god:
Two-wheel deal sealed
Page 27 – Melb. Yarra Leader, Oct 6th, 2003
A bicycle lane in Clifton Hill will be completed as a part of a $4
million-plus State Government commitment to bicycle projects this
financial year.
Richmond State Labor MP Richard Wynne said $98,000 would be used to create a safe bicycle connection from the end of the existing bicycle lanes on Hoddle Street at the Heidelberg Rd off-ramp to Queens Parade.
Signs to draw attention to cyclists would also be installed.