On yer bike: minister suggests drivers get a taste of life in the cycle lane

February 7, 2012

Melbourne’s roads are a shared space and drivers ought to ride a bike to better understand what it feels like to be a cyclist, Transport Minister Terry Mulder says.

The Baillieu government yesterday launched a campaign to tone down the aggravation between motorists and cyclists, in the wake of VicRoads research that confirms that as cycling has gained speed in Melbourne, so too has hostility and misunderstanding about cyclists’ rights on the roads.

”It wouldn’t hurt [motorists] to get on a bike from time to time and have a ride to get a better understanding of what cyclists face – most cyclists have a car licence, but not a lot of people who drive actually ride a bike,” said Mr Mulder, who confessed to not being a cyclist.

A VicRoads survey of more than 1000 drivers and cyclists found 88 per cent believe there is a lack of respect between drivers and cyclists. Most cyclists are of the view that drivers resent their presence on the roads, or simply fail to look out for them, while a majority of drivers believe too many cyclists flout the road rules.

In an attempt to find common ground, a Facebook forum called Road User or Abuser has just been launched to debate how the roads should be shared. Cycling lobbyists praised the move.

”Bike riders have been waiting for the government to show an interest in their plight and this initiative will make them feel a lot more comfortable on the road,” Bicycle Victoria Network’s Garry Brennan said.

Increased cycling in Melbourne has created anxiety among some drivers, who have ”reacted in the wrong way”.

”With the huge increase in bike riders, obviously the roads are a very different environment, and this change has been challenging to some motorists,” Mr Brennan said.

According to VicRoads, 30 per cent of bike accidents in Victoria are caused by drivers crossing the path of an oncoming rider and 20 per cent by riders being hit from behind or the side. In inner Melbourne, 30 per cent of bike accidents are caused by a driver opening a car door in a cyclist’s path.

The research also uncovered widespread ignorance about the road rules as they relate to bikes. More than 40 per cent of people did not know it is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast, 9 per cent said it was OK for cars to occupy bike lanes, and 8 per cent said it was OK for cyclists to ride through red lights.

Mr Brennan said a minority of bike riders persisted in doing the wrong thing at intersections.

”Research shows intersection collisions are a major cause of injuries for bike riders,” he said.

Calls by some, including cricketer Shane Warne, to have bicycles registered were rejected, with Mr Mulder ruling out such a scheme as overly costly and impractical.

”I’d rather spend money on cyclists’ infrastructure and safety improvements,” he said.