WITH 80 cyclists killed and another 13,000 injured on Victoria’s roads in the 10 years to 2014, there have been calls for new laws to be brought into place to make cycling a safer activity and encourage more people to get on two wheels.
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A cross-party committee has supported proposed legislation that would require drivers to give at least a one-metre gap when passing cyclists and a 1.5 metre gap at speeds higher than 60km/h, something that community organisation Bike Bendigo had pushed for strongly.
Treasurer Robert Kretschmer, who addressed the committee alongside representatives from other central Victorian groups, said such laws would encourage more people to take up cycling, because it would give them the confidence that they could expect that buffer between themselves and vehicles.
He said about 60 per cent of people were interested in cycling, but were put off by their concern at mixing with traffic.
“No one wants to be that close to two tonnes of fast-moving steel,” Mr Kretschmer said.
He said cycling was generally safe but would become safer with more cyclists, because motorists would become more aware of their presence on the road.
“Generally cycling is a very safe activity in Australia… in part because when you’re riding a bike you’re hyper-alert, you are more vulnerable,” he said.
If passed, the legislation will allow motorists to cross unbroken lines when safe to give cyclists the mandated space.
Mr Kretschmer said the proposed legislation would have to be accompanied by communication and education on the law.
The committee has recommended campaigns for both cyclists and motorists on the laws surrounding riding two abreast, as well as incorporating the prospective law into learner driver training and testing, if implemented.
The majority of submissions to the committee’s inquiry were supportive of mandated passing distances.
Mr Kretschmer said even if the law was passed, good infrastructure was still vital.
Ahead of any possible changes, he said cyclists could boost their own safety by riding in a consistent line so motorists could predict their movements and staying out of the door zone of parked cars.