BRISBANE: The State Government has been accused of “a callous disregard for cyclist safety” after rejecting a petition for a minimum passing distance between bikes and cars.
An e-petition put to the Transport Department proposing motorists maintain a minimum safe passing distance of one metre when they overtake cyclists garnered 4751 signatures.
However, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan rejected the proposal as Queensland road rules were tethered to those agreed to nationally and it would have a negative impact on cyclists.
“The introduction of a specific rule to restrict vehicles to keeping one metre from cyclists would be, in many cases, detrimental to cyclists,” she said. “For example, where a vehicle is travelling at 100 km/h a distance of one metre is dangerously close, but at very low speeds distances of less than one metre may be safe.
“To provide a law making a one metre distance mandatory would make it illegal for cyclists to move slowly and closely past queued vehicles.”
The rejection of the recommendation riled Brisbane CBD Bicycle Users Group spokesman Paul French who said a similar law had been introduced widely overseas.
“What we see across Australia and particularly here in Queensland is a rigid and unyielding adherence to red-tape processes that are used to prevent change unless it suits bureaucrat bias favouring car use, instead of a focus on the much-needed outcome of enabling vulnerable road users to safely share the road,” Mr French said.
Is this a fair recommendation? Let us know your thoughts at www.city-news.com.au
Source: whereilive
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