Conference hears plan to crack down on speeding cyclists
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:02 am
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/s ... 6609928398
CYCLISTS would be fined for exceeding 10km/h speed limits on shared pathways under a plan to crack down on unsafe riding practices.
Shared cycle paths should be renamed "pedestrian priority zones", widened and cameras installed to catch speeding cyclists, Australian Pedestrian Council chairman Harold Scruby told the fourth Road Safety International Conference in Sydney.
Mr Scruby said "80 to 90 per cent of people don't want cyclists" where pedestrians walk.
"These shared paths should be 10km/h regulated ... and should be insured so that if they (cyclists) hit someone they have some protection," he said.
Inspector Phil Brooks, from the traffic and highway command, refused to say whether NSW police would consider turning their radars on speeding cyclists, pointing out there had been a significant drop in the number of accidents between riders and walkers.
"Since the (CBD motorcycle response) team commenced operations on August 1, 2012, serious injury and fatal crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists have dropped from 340 incidents down to 274 compared to the same period 12 months earlier," he said.
But advocates of similar programs said enforced speed limits on shared footpaths had led to a decrease in aggression between walkers and riders.
On Pyrmont Bridge, a council ranger is regularly present to flag speeding cyclists down with a baton in order to protect pedestrians.
"We have a 10km/h limit on the bridge," a spokesman for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority said.
"If cyclists are going a bit quick, our rangers tell them to slow down and take care to protect pedestrians.
"We've come to a good agreement with both groups who use the bridge. I think we've got the balance right."
Last year, The Sunday Telegraph witnessed cyclists riding on the shared footpath of the Anzac Bridge at more than 40km/h, with one hitting 47km/h.
Mr Scruby said excessive speeds combined with narrow paths, such as the Spit Bridge's 1.2m-wide shared path, put cyclists and pedestrians at risk.
"It's not even safe for cyclists," Mr Scruby said. "Imagine if you clipped the metal railings with your pedal."
The term "shared paths" should be changed to "pedestrian priority zones" to ensure cyclists were aware they had to give way to pedestrians, he said.
"Cyclists are required to give way to pedestrians, even if that means coming to a complete stop, but I don't think many cyclists are aware of that."
CYCLISTS would be fined for exceeding 10km/h speed limits on shared pathways under a plan to crack down on unsafe riding practices.
Shared cycle paths should be renamed "pedestrian priority zones", widened and cameras installed to catch speeding cyclists, Australian Pedestrian Council chairman Harold Scruby told the fourth Road Safety International Conference in Sydney.
Mr Scruby said "80 to 90 per cent of people don't want cyclists" where pedestrians walk.
"These shared paths should be 10km/h regulated ... and should be insured so that if they (cyclists) hit someone they have some protection," he said.
Inspector Phil Brooks, from the traffic and highway command, refused to say whether NSW police would consider turning their radars on speeding cyclists, pointing out there had been a significant drop in the number of accidents between riders and walkers.
"Since the (CBD motorcycle response) team commenced operations on August 1, 2012, serious injury and fatal crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists have dropped from 340 incidents down to 274 compared to the same period 12 months earlier," he said.
But advocates of similar programs said enforced speed limits on shared footpaths had led to a decrease in aggression between walkers and riders.
On Pyrmont Bridge, a council ranger is regularly present to flag speeding cyclists down with a baton in order to protect pedestrians.
"We have a 10km/h limit on the bridge," a spokesman for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority said.
"If cyclists are going a bit quick, our rangers tell them to slow down and take care to protect pedestrians.
"We've come to a good agreement with both groups who use the bridge. I think we've got the balance right."
Last year, The Sunday Telegraph witnessed cyclists riding on the shared footpath of the Anzac Bridge at more than 40km/h, with one hitting 47km/h.
Mr Scruby said excessive speeds combined with narrow paths, such as the Spit Bridge's 1.2m-wide shared path, put cyclists and pedestrians at risk.
"It's not even safe for cyclists," Mr Scruby said. "Imagine if you clipped the metal railings with your pedal."
The term "shared paths" should be changed to "pedestrian priority zones" to ensure cyclists were aware they had to give way to pedestrians, he said.
"Cyclists are required to give way to pedestrians, even if that means coming to a complete stop, but I don't think many cyclists are aware of that."
