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BIKE Bendigo is calling for new laws that make roads safer for cyclists.
The submission is in response to a state government inquiry into laws about safe passing distances for overtaking bicycles.
It comes as Transport Accident Commission data shows 36 cyclists were injured on greater Bendigo roads between 2004/05 and 2014/15.
Twenty-three of the 36 cyclists in greater Bendigo admitted to hospital in that period were aged 40 years and over.
Cyclists in that category were also more likely to spend longer in hospital, with two of the 23 people aged over 40 hospitalised for up to six weeks.
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The same was true throughout central Victoria – 38 cyclists were seriously injured across the municipalities of Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Hepburn, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mitchell, Mount Alexander and Northern Grampians during the same 10 year period.
Of those, 24 were aged 40 years and older, four of whom were hospitalised for more than six weeks.
Bike Bendigo has made a submission in favour of improved road safety measures to the state government.
The proposed legislation would require drivers to leave a metre when overtaking at a speed of up to 60 kilometres an hour, and 1.5 metres at higher speeds.
The existing road rules require drivers to leave sufficient passing distance, but don’t specify what that is.
In his submission, Bike Bendigo president Geoff O’Sullivan wrote that about 60 percent of Australians were interested in cycling more often, but were discouraged by near-misses with motor vehicles while sharing the road.
“It is for these reasons, and in the absence of complete networks of separated infrastructure for people who cycle across Australia’s cities and regions, Bike Bendigo supports the proposed safe passing distance,” he wrote.
“Making such a change… will over time create and reinforce the social norm as to what is safe when interacting with vulnerable users on our roads.” Bike Bendigo also mentioned a need for updated learner driver training and testing, and resourcing for community organisations to support education about any law changes.
Bendigo motorist Ron Dunn said there were instances when leaving a metre of overtaking distance was difficult.
“There are plenty of roads in the region where the sealed strip is just one lane,” he said.
Barkla urges road users: safety first
EDWARD Barkla has been part of the Bendigo cycling community for more than 20 years.
He rides every day for about two hours and has been knocked off his bicycle about five times.
However, Mr Barkla’s experiences with motor vehicles haven’t diminished his confidence in sharing the roads.
What frightens him most are road users, of all descriptions, who aren’t paying attention.
“Why do two cars collide at an intersection? Is it any different? No, it’s not – it’s purely distraction,” he says.
“I don’t think there is anyone out there who is driving, and is looking, that wants to hurt me,” he says.
The way Mr Barkla sees it, accidents happen, but there are ways road users can be safer.
He says efforts to legislate the minimum overtaking distance motorists must leave cyclists are ‘a good start’.
He would also like to see some improvements to Bendigo roads.
“Take Mitchell Street – it’s just been completely revamped – but there’s no bike lane,” Mr Barkla says.
“From the police station into the centre of town, there’s no bike lane. To get from Lake Weeroona to the fountain, there’s no bike lane.”
“If you ride from Kangaroo Flat through to Epsom, there are places where there are bike lanes and suddenly the bike lanes disappear.”
