Just recently it became law that motorists must maintain a distance of at least 1 meter when passing bikes. Is there also a law that says bikes must also maintain a certain minimum distance when passing pedestrians?
KJB said
08:20 AM Apr 21, 2017
Or bicycles passing cars?
Tony Bev said
11:39 AM Apr 21, 2017
iana wrote:
Just recently it became law that motorists must maintain a distance of at least 1 meter when passing bikes. Is there also a law that says bikes must also maintain a certain minimum distance when passing pedestrians?
Hello Ian
Not as far as I know
I read somewhere, some time ago, that a bicycle on a bicycle/pedestrian path, must travel below 20 KPH
As you are aware the older we get, the less hearing we have, and I personally do not hear bicycles coming behind me, when out walking on my local bicycle/pedestrian paths
I avoid going for a walk when children are going to and from school, for this reason
The Belmont Bear said
01:14 PM Apr 21, 2017
On our local shared pathways there are rules clearly sign posted by the council that suggest a bicycle must sound it's bell when approaching a pedestrian and that pedestrians should move to the left and allow them to pass. Most people follow the rules but there are always those on both sides of the fence who do not. The cyclists are represented by the lycra clad set with all the gear going flat out as if they were in the Tour de France. The pedestrians are mostly represented by groups made up of young women with kids and prams who take up both sides of the pathway and have no intention of moving over for anyone. It's funny that the cyclists who terrorise pedestrians on shared pathways are usually the first ones to complain about being bullied on the road by motorists.
Tony Bev said
03:43 PM Apr 21, 2017
Interesting about the signs, Dave
I have never seen them in my part of the world, but I do live in a quiet area
iana said
08:54 AM Apr 22, 2017
A bicycle is classed as a vehicle, according to the DOT. They follow the same rules, I don't see too many cars coming up behind, sounding their horn and the vehicle in front pulls over to let it through, except emergency vehicles. If bikes come up be hind me they can bloody well pass on the right hand side.
The Belmont Bear said
10:24 AM Apr 22, 2017
Iana, I agree with you in terms of the actual road rules just as this extract from The NSW Road Traffic Authority shows. The council signs are not road rules and for all I know not even enforceable, I believe that they are there as a guideline to help improve the interaction between both the pedestrians and the cyclists who use the shared pathway. I have seen some pretty heated exchanges between people who believe that they have more right to use the path than someone else. For me it is more about being courteous to others rather than than trying to make a point by not letting them pass me. In NSW cyclists do follow the same basic road rules as motorists but along with this one there are another 5 or 6 rules that relate only to bicycle riders which you can see if you viist the RTA website.
Shared paths
Shared paths are paths designed for pedestrian and bicycle use. Shared paths are signposted and marked so you can tell if you are meant to share the path with pedestrians. When riding on a shared path, keep to the left at all times unless it is impractical to do so, and give way to pedestrians. You should also adjust your speed to suit the environment. Use your bell or horn to signal your presence to other users of the shared path, especially when approaching pedestrians and other riders. As a bicycle rider, you must overtake on the right hand side. Be particularly careful around young children, older pedestrians and animals.
I have no idea why this reply came out in bold type and it won't let me change it.
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Saturday 22nd of April 2017 10:25:56 AM
iana said
12:13 PM Apr 22, 2017
The point I was trying to make is, the shared pathways are usually marked with a center line, if they need to pass, they wait until the way is clear and pass on the right hand side, same as if traveling on the road.
Craig1 said
09:10 PM Apr 22, 2017
Somewhere in the rules there is a note that says " cyclists shall give pedestrians ONE metre clearance" but I know that none in Albury/Wodonga have actually read it.
cheers
Tony Bev said
09:18 PM Apr 22, 2017
Forget my post, Ian
To the best of my knowledge, we do not have any pathways with a line down the middle, in my part of the world
I have seen some small signs with a picture of a bike, and pedestrian, side by side, while I have been walking around
iana said
09:20 PM Apr 22, 2017
Tony, I had better go and have another look, long time since I argued with cyclists, you may be right!
JohnR said
10:29 PM Apr 22, 2017
I just thought I might put some perspective on what makes up road users and particular in light of this being a weekend whether it be extended or not but also school holiday period.
As possum 3 has already high lighted from his post under General Forum re-printed below.
Whether it be the Lycra Clad cyclist, the young mum or dad cycling to and from work or our grand kids cycling to school, the shops or the beach and have to cross roads etc. They are all road users and the most vulnerable persons on our roads. The law which is not yet in all states came about from the death of Amy Gillett in Germany the road cyclist killed by a motorist.
I find it difficult to comprehend why people on this forum want to post a topic without researching their information and then other members adding their ill informed comments.
In the past 2 weeks there have been cycling deaths in both Sydney and Canberra on the Monaro Highway. We are currently touring Tasmania and this state is particularly enjoyed for cycling. I have witnessed/spoken with several members of the community and overseas tourist who are cycling the open roads of Tasmania. In one instance a husband and wife with their toddler in their cycle trailer.
Are they not worthy of such respect as having a meter space when negotiating our road ways and enjoying this great country as a "road user".
Operation Go Slow, starts at 12.01am tomorrow (Friday 21 April 2017) and continues until 11.59pm on Tuesday (25 April 2017). Double demerits will be enforced throughout the period for speeding, mobile phones, seatbelt, and motorcycle-helmet offences.
Officers will be a highly-visible presence on the roads during the operation, targeting speeding, mobile phone use, alcohol and drug-affected drivers, fatigue, and seatbelt use.
NSW Minister for Police and Minister Emergency Services, Troy Grant said road users need to act with responsibility on NSW roads.
We encourage people to get out and enjoy all NSW has to offer this long weekend, but to act responsibly and considerately on our roads.
No police officer should have to face a roadside tragedy, and no family member should have to get that devastating phone call or knock on their front door, Minister Grant said.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said people need to take extra care on the road as ANZAC Day approaches and the school holidays draw to a close and allow extra travel time so everyone arrives at their destinations safely.
Your family and friends would rather you were a little late than never make it at all,
Theres no need to rush, take your time, rest up before jumping behind the wheel and enjoy the break safely, Minister Pavey said.
Tony Bev said
01:48 AM Apr 23, 2017
JohnR
No disrespect intended The question was asked about cyclist passing pedestrians, which usually means on a bicycle/pedestrian path
We all know that there have been too many cyclist killed on the road, but that was something we had not been discussing
The majority of us, never needed the one metre rule, as we always gave bicyclist a wide berth When I am travelling on the open highway, I also slow down, as I know that my motorhome at 100 KPH, could easily blow them off the road, and cause an injury
The latest cyclist to be killed on the road, (to my knowledge), was a man named Michele Scarponi, who was a very experienced bicycle rider
JohnR, I agree with Tony the discussion was more about the interaction between pedestrians and cyclists when using shared pathways. I agree with you that pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable road users and probably followed closely by motor bike riders. I don't think anyone here was actually disagreeing with a minimum distance rule (I certainly wasn't) the point was more around needing to have mutual respect between all the different road users whether it be on a pathway or out on the road itself..
Middo said
04:22 PM Apr 24, 2017
My wife and I ride our bikes about 3 times a week on shared bikeways and roads at times. I ring the bell if passing a pedestrian at times if I am going near them. Some pathways are not wide enough to pass them at 1M. Most times they will not hear you as they are listening to music when they walk. Newer bike paths in Brisbane are better as they separate the cyclists and walkers. Pedestrains walking dogs are our biggest problem as a lot let the dog wander all over the place.
-- Edited by Middo on Monday 24th of April 2017 04:23:28 PM
iana said
08:06 PM Apr 24, 2017
Tony, saw a foot path marked with a dotted line down the center, so I wasn't wrong. now here is a new question, are foot paths now re classified as "shared bikeways". And, are dogs walking on a "shared bikeway" pedestrians? sorry that's two questions!
Tony Bev said
09:44 PM Apr 26, 2017
Hello Ian To answer your question/s
are foot paths now re classified as "shared bikeways Where I live, the (about) six kilometres of pathways I use, have always been shared bike ways They all look the same, (made of poured concrete section, all the same width), and some have a sign of a pedestrian and cyclist
are dogs walking on a "shared bikeway" pedestrians?
That is a good question, hopefully some one will come forward and enlighten us all
I suppose that if we came across a drunken pedestrian on all fours, (on a shared bikeway), we would classify him as a bit of a dog
macka17 said
10:58 PM Apr 29, 2017
The most "Important" thing you must wear when riding bike or Walking.
Is BOTH your hearing aids.
Turned up FULL and on surround sound.
Just recently it became law that motorists must maintain a distance of at least 1 meter when passing bikes. Is there also a law that says bikes must also maintain a certain minimum distance when passing pedestrians?
Or bicycles passing cars?
Hello Ian
Not as far as I know
I read somewhere, some time ago, that a bicycle on a bicycle/pedestrian path, must travel below 20 KPH
As you are aware the older we get, the less hearing we have, and I personally do not hear bicycles coming behind me, when out walking on my local bicycle/pedestrian paths
I avoid going for a walk when children are going to and from school, for this reason
On our local shared pathways there are rules clearly sign posted by the council that suggest a bicycle must sound it's bell when approaching a pedestrian and that pedestrians should move to the left and allow them to pass. Most people follow the rules but there are always those on both sides of the fence who do not. The cyclists are represented by the lycra clad set with all the gear going flat out as if they were in the Tour de France. The pedestrians are mostly represented by groups made up of young women with kids and prams who take up both sides of the pathway and have no intention of moving over for anyone. It's funny that the cyclists who terrorise pedestrians on shared pathways are usually the first ones to complain about being bullied on the road by motorists.
I have never seen them in my part of the world, but I do live in a quiet area
Iana, I agree with you in terms of the actual road rules just as this extract from The NSW Road Traffic Authority shows. The council signs are not road rules and for all I know not even enforceable, I believe that they are there as a guideline to help improve the interaction between both the pedestrians and the cyclists who use the shared pathway. I have seen some pretty heated exchanges between people who believe that they have more right to use the path than someone else. For me it is more about being courteous to others rather than than trying to make a point by not letting them pass me. In NSW cyclists do follow the same basic road rules as motorists but along with this one there are another 5 or 6 rules that relate only to bicycle riders which you can see if you viist the RTA website.
Shared paths
Shared paths are paths designed for pedestrian and bicycle use. Shared paths are signposted and marked so you can tell if you are meant to share the path with pedestrians. When riding on a shared path, keep to the left at all times unless it is impractical to do so, and give way to pedestrians. You should also adjust your speed to suit the environment. Use your bell or horn to signal your presence to other users of the shared path, especially when approaching pedestrians and other riders. As a bicycle rider, you must overtake on the right hand side. Be particularly careful around young children, older pedestrians and animals.
I have no idea why this reply came out in bold type and it won't let me change it.
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Saturday 22nd of April 2017 10:25:56 AM
cheers
To the best of my knowledge, we do not have any pathways with a line down the middle, in my part of the world
I have seen some small signs with a picture of a bike, and pedestrian, side by side, while I have been walking around
I just thought I might put some perspective on what makes up road users and particular in light of this being a weekend whether it be extended or not but also school holiday period.
As possum 3 has already high lighted from his post under General Forum re-printed below.
Whether it be the Lycra Clad cyclist, the young mum or dad cycling to and from work or our grand kids cycling to school, the shops or the beach and have to cross roads etc. They are all road users and the most vulnerable persons on our roads. The law which is not yet in all states came about from the death of Amy Gillett in Germany the road cyclist killed by a motorist.
I find it difficult to comprehend why people on this forum want to post a topic without researching their information and then other members adding their ill informed comments.
In the past 2 weeks there have been cycling deaths in both Sydney and Canberra on the Monaro Highway. We are currently touring Tasmania and this state is particularly enjoyed for cycling. I have witnessed/spoken with several members of the community and overseas tourist who are cycling the open roads of Tasmania. In one instance a husband and wife with their toddler in their cycle trailer.
Are they not worthy of such respect as having a meter space when negotiating our road ways and enjoying this great country as a "road user".
JohnR
Operation Go Slow, starts at 12.01am tomorrow (Friday 21 April 2017) and continues until 11.59pm on Tuesday (25 April 2017). Double demerits will be enforced throughout the period for speeding, mobile phones, seatbelt, and motorcycle-helmet offences.
Officers will be a highly-visible presence on the roads during the operation, targeting speeding, mobile phone use, alcohol and drug-affected drivers, fatigue, and seatbelt use.
NSW Minister for Police and Minister Emergency Services, Troy Grant said road users need to act with responsibility on NSW roads.
We encourage people to get out and enjoy all NSW has to offer this long weekend, but to act responsibly and considerately on our roads.
No police officer should have to face a roadside tragedy, and no family member should have to get that devastating phone call or knock on their front door, Minister Grant said.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said people need to take extra care on the road as ANZAC Day approaches and the school holidays draw to a close and allow extra travel time so everyone arrives at their destinations safely.
Your family and friends would rather you were a little late than never make it at all,
Theres no need to rush, take your time, rest up before jumping behind the wheel and enjoy the break safely, Minister Pavey said.
JohnR
No disrespect intended
The question was asked about cyclist passing pedestrians, which usually means on a bicycle/pedestrian path
We all know that there have been too many cyclist killed on the road, but that was something we had not been discussing
The majority of us, never needed the one metre rule, as we always gave bicyclist a wide berth
When I am travelling on the open highway, I also slow down, as I know that my motorhome at 100 KPH, could easily blow them off the road, and cause an injury
The latest cyclist to be killed on the road, (to my knowledge), was a man named Michele Scarponi, who was a very experienced bicycle rider
The link is below
http://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/39677856
JohnR, I agree with Tony the discussion was more about the interaction between pedestrians and cyclists when using shared pathways. I agree with you that pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable road users and probably followed closely by motor bike riders. I don't think anyone here was actually disagreeing with a minimum distance rule (I certainly wasn't) the point was more around needing to have mutual respect between all the different road users whether it be on a pathway or out on the road itself..
My wife and I ride our bikes about 3 times a week on shared bikeways and roads at times. I ring the bell if passing a pedestrian at times if I am going near them. Some pathways are not wide enough to pass them at 1M. Most times they will not hear you as they are listening to music when they walk. Newer bike paths in Brisbane are better as they separate the cyclists and walkers. Pedestrains walking dogs are our biggest problem as a lot let the dog wander all over the place.
-- Edited by Middo on Monday 24th of April 2017 04:23:28 PM
Hello Ian
To answer your question/s
Where I live, the (about) six kilometres of pathways I use, have always been shared bike ways
They all look the same, (made of poured concrete section, all the same width), and some have a sign of a pedestrian and cyclist
That is a good question, hopefully some one will come forward and enlighten us all
Is BOTH your hearing aids.
Turned up FULL and on surround sound.
Makes ALL the difference. Believe me.