Cadel Evans rates Australian drivers as worst in the world

Australians drive cyclist star Cadel Evans to despair
By Daniel HoyHerald Sun
December 12, 2008 12:01am

Road hogs ... Cadel Evans reckons Aussie drivers are the worst in the world.
Cadel reckons Aussie drivers are hopeless

"Worst in the world"
"Complete road hogs, no respect for cyclists"

AUSTRALIAN drivers are among the worst in the world when it comes to cyclists, Tour de France star Cadel Evans says.

Evans, who spends half his year in Europe and half in Barwon Heads, has been the victim of several near misses.

"I drive on the road and I don't like people just not having respect for other road users," he said.

"I spend half my year in Europe so I know what the traffic is like there.

"It is really strange, to be honest, the way Australian drivers are.

"Our roads have much less traffic, are far larger, and the drivers have much more space, but they are much more aggressive and negative to other road users.

"When you ride a race in Italy or Switzerland or France, the roads are much narrower and there is much more traffic, but the drivers are much more tolerant and easier to deal with. It is a bit of a shame."

While Europe has a much stronger cycling culture, Evans blamed Australian driver selfishness.
"They feel like because they are in their car they have the right to use all the road, and everyone else on the road should be off it," he said.

Evans has been a strong supporter of the Amy Gillett Foundation, established after the AIS cyclist was killed by a car in Germany.

He will join the fundraising Amy's Ride on January 4.

He will head to Shepparton tomorrow to take part in Scotty's Ride, in honour of Scott Peoples, who was killed by a four-wheel drive near Mansfield in December 2006

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24788969-421,00.html