Lonsdale Street Cyclery owner John Ross, ACT Road Policing Supt Matt Craft and Pedal Power executive director Simon Copland want everyone to respect all users of Canberra’s roads. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
It’s not hard to find someone with strong feelings about how cyclists or motorists behave towards each other on Canberra’s roads.
But everyone has been urged to respect each other and the road rules as we all travel to our destinations.
ACT Road Policing Superintendent Matt Craft said most incidents between cyclists and motorists reported to police involved serious injuries.
“I can understand some of the frustrations with motorists, particularly when they’re seeing cyclists out on the road disobeying the road rules and not being reasonable out on the road,” he said.
“Remember they are people themselves … they’ve got to get home to their families as well.”
One major change motorists can make to improve a cyclist’s safety on the road is leaving a metre gap if travelling 60 km/h or slower, or a metre-and-a-half gap if going faster than that.
The gap is a legal requirement.
“Motorists need to leave that gap between themselves and the cyclist,” Supt Craft said.
“If that means passing across an unbroken line, they can do that quickly [if safe] and get around the cyclists, they don’t need to wait an eternity behind that cyclist.
“It’s about giving cyclists as much space as possible and allowing that safe pass.”
Lonsdale Street Cyclery owner John Ross is no stranger to the dangers of being a cyclist on our roads.
He’s been hit by a car while riding – no-one was at fault – and urged everyone to ride and drive defensively, and for motorists to give cyclists space.
“The metre and the metre-and-a-half rule is a big thing, it makes a massive difference as a cyclist because you are vulnerable on the road,” Mr Ross said.
“Ultimately, if [a motorist] gets that gap wrong and clips you, you’re gone.”
Pedal Power executive director Simon Copland said it gave motorists more room for error in case something unexpected happened, such as an animal suddenly coming across the road or a lapse in concentration.
“If a cyclist makes a mistake, there’s a chance they’ll hurt themselves,” he said.
“But if a car driver makes a mistake, there’s a chance they’ll potentially kill someone,. They’re driving this huge metal vehicle that can kill people at speed.
“Everybody needs to respect each other and respect the rules we have.”
Police are most often called to incidents during peak hour, when tensions may be running high as people try to get to work or other appointments on time.
But Supt Craft said that was no excuse for putting someone’s life at risk.
“It’s about being patient, giving that cyclist five or 10 seconds will mean a world of difference,” he said.
“Just think about the people who are potentially riding to work, their safety is important.”
Cyclists were also urged to take responsibility for their actions on the road, which included having lights, wearing bright clothing and helmets, using a bell to alert pedestrians and following the road rules.
“If a cycle lane is available to you, please use it … it’s an easier and a safer way to get around the city,” Supt Craft said.
“[However] it’s people’s right to ride a bicycle on the road, and a lot of those people are getting themselves to work or [riding] just for recreation.”
Loading ...
