Why is it that city centric government persist in replacing a problem with a problem and continue to introduce rules that have the potential to cause major pile ups on our roads .
Come March 2016 the NSW government will bring in new push bike motor vehicle separation rules .
In areas under 60 KPH motor vehicle drivers must provide 1 meter clearance between them and a bike
In areas over 80 KPH this distance is increased to 1.5 meters.
Where need be you will be allow to cross over the separation line to maintain the clearance . Remember that includes any van or trailer you are tugging along .
All sounds great in the city where they have taken over vehicle lanes to provide for push bike riders . WHAT a joke that is . another story on it's own for a later time
I can see a van driver coming upon a bike rider who inevitably riding on the white separation line or in the designated vehicle lane, because the bike lane is covered with little stones or litter and fallen vegetation which wasn't taken into account when the government created the first mistake by creating bike lanes and no maintenance programs , and is confronted with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction hence both go for the hooks and presto bang bash crash it's all over.
It is typical of NSW they seem to be right out of touch with the reality of country roads and the fact that their roads are crap, where built to accommodate horse and carts of the 18 century and all the other states did not follow the same road building pattern as NSW.
Why is that those who pay noting towards road infrastructure get priority usage rights.
Just because other states like QLD and VIC have introduced similar rules that doesn't mean that they suit NSW narrow gutted s and non maintained roads
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Pets are welcome but children must be leashed at all times
QLD already have similar rules Wombat. They make sense when you have to cross over to the other side of the road to allow that clearence, NOT. I also think VIC have them now too.
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May I suggest you visit the site:- "Amy Gillett Foundation" and become a little up to date with matters relating to road improvements for all users including the most vulnerable being cyclists. You may also find a fair proportion of "Grey Nomads" who contribute via the rego's for both tow vehicle and van's are also cyclists who enjoy the activity for leisure or fitness purposes or commuting . The Nations Capital have had the rules in place for several months and recognized for their vision in promoting a "safe road" culture for all concerned particularly cyclists.
As a grey nomad and a cyclist, I know both sides. When it is safe I cross over the line to pass a cyclist. I also know what it feels like to have a vehicle come very close to you when it overtakes you. Patience and understanding goes a long way.
So what do the new road rules say about bike riders not riding in the bike lane when available but riding in the vehicle traffic lane, bearing in mind they do ride on footpaths, through pedestrians on crossings, through red lights and getting a tow by a vehicle either a truck or bus.
I have witnessed all of these things in Sydney and surrounding suburbs, whilst I agree that we all have an obligation to take care when approaching bike riders, it is absolutely crazy to cross dividing lines to allow 1.5 meters clearance I can just imagine travelling down Parramatta Rd or Victoria Rd once these laws are applied.
We also need to bear in mind that bike riders have no registration do not have to have a current licence or contribute through any means to the maintenance of the roads, has anyone ever seen a cyclist being booked for breach of traffic laws I doubt it.
I believe this to be very dangerous legislation and very poorly conceived by our very well meaning politicians.
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Great posts Wombat,,Chief,Aussie traveller. Can I add they don't have insurance ( and it doesn't take much of a ding to cost a fortune) . How is it it is deemed unsafe to travel 20 klms under the speed limit and overtake on the left with a vehicle ( But not if your a look at me, look at me licra clad wanna be tour of France look alike.)
And they don't give you a meter. If your going slow in traffic or stopped at lights they overtake you on the left with no clearance then have the gall to use you vehicle to support themselves, when the lights change or they can't keep up then abuse YOU for not giving them space.
I have also ridden bikes and I think I'm in the 1 % of bike riders that realise that if it's bigger, faster, wider, heavier then it's up to me to give it the space it needs... Not the other way around..
Merry Christmas and safe travels whatever form of transport your using.
Len :)
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I think Bike should have to have number plate even if they don't have to pay rego so they can be identified by camera if they brake the rules just like anyone who use the road
Used to ride a bike up to 8000 K a year for transport to and from work and can see both sides. A bit of empathy for the bike rider would go a long way in these kinds of discussion. When some indignant driver with a van on the back pushes a rider off the road, I know (from experience) who will cop the injuries. A specific problem with vans is that they are often wider than the tow vehicle so when some "I'll show'em" fool overtakes without sufficient clearance, the rider gets knocked off his or her bike.
The Queensland rules seem to work quite well. A following driver is allowed to put their wheels across dividing lines, broken or otherwise, when it is safe to do so when overtaking a cyclist. The only problems occur when a selfish or impatient driver decides to take responsibility for someone else's safety. Incompetent drivers who cannot understand what "when it is safe to do so" means, as well as selfish and impatient drivers, should not be sharing the roads with the rest of the other road users.
Tip for cyclists - wear a sign on the back telling drivers you have a couple of cameras mounted on the bike.
Another tip of cyclists - follow the rules and help prevent the us and them whingers; some of the bitching is legitimate.
Iza
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Iza
Semi-permanent state of being Recreationally Outraged as a defence against boredom during lockdown.
I think Bike should have to have number plate even if they don't have to pay rego so they can be identified by camera if they brake the rules just like anyone who use the road
Motor bikes need one Front and Back first up, I often wonder that we might all have our Vehicles chipped in the future for ID.
I never have a problem with Cyclists they are Road Users like everyone else. A good Driver looks out for everyones safety. I believe we are getting Cycle Boulevards in Perth. see the link below. Great.
Up in the Cairns nth Queensland erea that rule applies , But the local government here has spent vast sums of money on cycleways , but it seems as if cyclist like living on the edge because they still seem to want to ride on the road inamongst heavy vehicles ,caravans ect .I do not know what the attraction is .
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Up in the Cairns nth Queensland erea that rule applies , But the local government here has spent vast sums of money on cycleways , but it seems as if cyclist like living on the edge because they still seem to want to ride on the road inamongst heavy vehicles ,caravans ect .I do not know what the attraction is .
What he said.... but not restricted to Cains we see that in many places where bike paths are available but the bikes seem to prefer to hold up traffic on the road. Also agree with aussietraveller rego plates on bikes would make them more accountable for their actions.
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
After doing a 15 night round trip of Tassie earlier this year, do Asian Tourists have special permission to drive on the RIGHT-HAND side of the road? We had quite a few close encounters of the Asian Kind!
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
There are a lot of people that have special permits has yet I have not been able to find out where you can apply for one , If anyone know would they please post thank you.
There are a lot of people that have special permits has yet I have not been able to find out where you can apply for one , If anyone know would they please post thank you.
Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
How many drivers dressed in licra drive down the left side of the road and the turn left through a red light. I witnessed that three times as I sat having coffee when I visited Perth recently. or drive through pedestrian lights twice. Unfortunely the inner city cyclists lobby have the ears of the various government. But drivers do need to be less aggressive about all things.
-- Edited by darkyave on Monday 28th of December 2015 11:42:36 AM
ACT has a high number of bike lanes on their roads and lots of bike riders. We were driving along one of the main roads (with our van attached) and came across a group of maybe 20 or so of them. Instead of being spread along and inside their dedicated lane, they were bunched up (and not racing/sprinting) and about half way across into our vehicle lane. I followed them for a few mins and then passed them. I could hear them shouting abuse at me for apparently being too close to them.
Most cyclists are careful, but there seems to be a minority who think they own the entire road system (but don't pay taxes on their bikes) and act aggressively towards motorists.
But I also agree there are motorists who either hate bikers and try to frighten them or are just dumb and don't take how slow and fragile bikes are
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
How many drivers dressed in licra drive down the left side of the road and the turn left through a red light. I witnessed that three times as I sat having coffee when I visited Perth recently. or drive through pedestrian lights twice. Unfortunely the inner city cyclists lobby have the ears of the various government. But drivers do need to be less aggressive about all things.
-- Edited by darkyave on Monday 28th of December 2015 11:42:36 AM
There's nothing sadder than an overweight MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra) riding a bike.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
We are getting older and crankier aren't we. Being held up by bicycles. I wonder how many of us replying have been in the position of towing our vans, in the city, suburbs and on country roads and been in the position of traveling slower than the surrounding traffic, causing angst to those following, (if like me it would be many times over), Trucks particularly like us all. How about he without sin cast the first stone. All others just get on with life, for whatever time we have left only He knows.
I must state here that until becoming a Grey Nomad and galloping towards His calling I rode bikes for years, commuting, training and racing. Alas I was younger and fitter then and able to cope with ignorance and crankiness much better. God forbid I am becoming one. Look out.
terry
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Chris & Terry
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