Sam Bennett says some cyclists need to respect motorists more
Sam Bennett has weighed in on the driver-cyclist debate as road rage incidents are in the news again.
Reacting to news of Chris Froome being apparently rammed by a driver while out training, Sam Bennett has said such cases should be seen as attempted murder.
Writing in his Irish Independent Giro Diary he says it appeared to him Froome was very lucky to escape injury.
The Irish rider also said “these stories are getting all too familiar lately”. Michele Scarponi’s death, when hit by a driver in Italy last month, rocked the sport of course.
However, while making it clear that drivers who target cyclists should be dealt with by the law, Sam Bennett also says cyclists have a role to play.
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And he believes some riders need to be more considerate of drivers on the road.
“Sharing the road goes both ways,” he said in his latest diary dispatch.
“Over the years I’ve seen plenty of cyclists who are a danger to themselves when they’re out.
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“Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this but some cyclists need to start respecting motorists more.
“I know there are more good guys out there than bad but I see a lot of stupid stuff when I am out on the bike.
“A couple of my pet hates are guys running red lights and jumping through roundabouts, intersections or across roads to turn right.”
Sam Bennett added cyclists should consider simply pausing for a minute or two in a bid to stay alive.
And while cyclists had the right to cycle two abreast, he said that doesn’t mean it is always wise to do so.
Sam Bennett says he tries to play his part
As a pro rider he also believed part of his job was to try and change drivers’ attitudes towards cyclists.
He explained how he tries to do this: “I try to be polite, give them room. And if there’s no traffic coming I wave them past.
“Okay, you can’t always ride in the gutter because of holes, ruts or obstacles. But we can all try and meet drivers halfway.”
Bennett added he was hit by a car just after he turned 19-years. And it cost him his pro contract for the following year.
And he was still struggling with the after effects four years later.
Of yesterday's stage, he said he felt a lot better after his illness and was hoping to be sprinting well today.
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