It's a debate that seems to roll on perpetually, motorists hate cyclists and vice versa. In the age of GoPros and smart phones, road rage incidents are caught on camera and put on the internet, adding a fresh supply of fuel to the fire for both sides of the debate.

You'll occasionally notice parts of the media on a warpath with cyclists, perhaps forgetting that part of their readership are also riders. The argument is getting a little tired, and here are a few reasons to cast-aside the controversy.

1. Most cyclists are also motorists

It's much easier to understand both sides of the story if you're on both sides of the problem. A motorist who is critical of cyclists could learn a lot by becoming one for a day or a week, as Jeremy Clarkson once did. If there's criticism of a cyclist's conduct on the road it makes them a bad road user, not a bad cyclist.

2. Motorists don't own the road, really

Roads are funded by everybody, not just motorists. Registration fees cover a tiny fraction of what is spent each year on road infrastructure. This means that roads are made to be used by cars, buses, motorbikes, and bicycles. All road users should expect to be safe on the road, and everybody carries responsibility of care.

3. Bikes out-sell cars every year

Bicycle sales in Australia have exceeded motor vehicle sales every year since 2000. At 99 Bikes alone, we put about 40,000 new bikes on roads each year. Cyclists are a growing community and increased attention should be paid to providing the correct infrastructure and facilities to this new wave of active travellers.

4. More bikes means less traffic

Motorists are much better off with a bunch of 20 cyclists, than stuck behind a line of 20 additional cars. Especially at peak times, if more commuters are using active methods of transport it will make life much better for those in cars. In the UK bikes make up one sixth of central London traffic for one main reason - it makes sense. Commuters who make short journeys should be encouraged to get out of their cars and onto their bikes.

5. Build cycling infrastructure

Cyclists would much prefer to ride on bikeways or in bike lanes. Offering cyclists the option to remove themselves from motor traffic will increase rider safety and also make a better driving experience for motorists. It's in the interests of both motorists and riders to have more cycling-specific infrastructure on the main arterial roads of cities.

6. Bad road use isn't a cyclist thing

Every group has some bad apples. Not all cyclists are perfect and neither are motorists. Particular care should be taken when passing cyclists, they don't have a couple tons of met surrounding them consequence of contact is heavily weighted against the cyclist. Take care out there.

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