The RACQ is running another survey on what cheese drivers off.

The survey lists a whole range of things under headings such as ‘motorists’, ‘cyclists’ and ‘heavy vehicles’.

But they miss one vital category: police!

The thing that cheeses me off above all others in the policing of road safety. The paucity of police, their blind-eye attitude to many infringements, the policing of others at some arbitrary value that is not the same as the law states - the obvious example being speed limits, and the enormous discretionary powers - that often lead to discriminatory treatment.

Many of the things that piss motorists off are a direct result of grossly inadequate law enforcement.

Working in Brisbane for a couple of weeks and walking home in the twilight, I noticed that every cyclist has a headlight and taillight turned on, from almost straight after sunset.

What a contrast to my home in far north Queensland, where few cyclists have lights at night.

The police just don’t bother with it at all. It’s been like that for years. I’ve seen police vehicles go past lightless night-riders on numerous occasions.

Such is the gross inadequacy of our policing regime…. which is very largely responsible for the grossly stupid behaviour of many cyclists… and many road-users in general.

And by crikey hasn’t it been driven home to this country hick just how absolutely our society is dependent on fossil fuels.

The traffic in this bigsmoke 'Brisvegas' place is outrageous!!

Thank goodness I live in a town where cycling is relatively safe and commuting distances between home, work and just about anywhere around town are only a few kilometres.

There are a lot of cyclists in Brisbane. But by crikey they need to be careful!!

And I take full advantage of the relative cycling ease and safety, and ride to work most days – about 30km return, and have done so about 50% of the time for over 20 years.

And I have the largest red flashing taillight that I could get, along with a dual headlight setup and a head-mounted headlight.

And I ride a fast racer and wear lycra pants and am conscious of my appearance. I am confident that the lights I have are ‘cool’, and not at all daggy!!

Oh you’re my hero Ludwig. You’re so cooool!!