Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

BQ response to anti-bike article in The Gold Coast Bulletin

11 December 2012

Your paper’s journalist/opinion writer Daniel Meers’ “declaration of war” on cyclists in the Gold Coast Bulletin uses an unfortunate phrase more suited to shock-jocks. Given the dangers exposed in the recent 2DayFM prank disaster – maybe your journo should be more careful with his words, because “declaring war” and “Motorists need to start manning up” (sorry ladies) incites violence as a solution.

We are sorry Daniel takes “about five minutes to drive three kilometres to a friends place” for a jog. Only 36 kph average speed – oh no! Given a 50kph speed limit and a few stops for traffic lights – that is actually a pretty fair clip.

The popularity of bike riding on the Gold Coast will continue to grow because the Gold Coast is a great city with active people who like to ride. Riding is great exercise, good fun, and simply the most efficient way to get from one place to another for trips of less than 5km.

Yes, some very keen riders do get out of bed at 5am to miss the traffic and to exercise before work. Most would see this as wonderful and healthy – overwhelming international evidence point to great cost savings in reduced hospitalisation from obesity and sedentary based diseases in countries that have high cycle usage.

Having people riding bikes for transport and exercise saves us all money. Hospitals are expensive to build and run. Riding a bike is cheap and reduces congestion. It’s a win-win in the vast majority of cases.

Daniel’s article was light on facts and heavy with opinion. Some crackers:

His opinion: that cyclists wouldn’t use bike lanes and other facilities provided by Government and Gold City Council.

The truth: anywhere in Australia where safe cycling facilities are provided, cycling participation rates double or even more. Had he asked the state’s peak body we would’ve provided evidence of this – or he could look on Google. It is all there.

His opinion: Bicycles are a danger to road safety.

The truth: In societies with high bicycle use, the road toll declines. The more bicycles on the paths and roads, the safer we all are. People ‘get’ it and drive safely.

The Gold Coast is a fantastic place to live, visit and ride. That’s why people live there and ride. Police have enough to do without chasing a small minority of riders who do flout the law, and who endanger themselves far more than anyone else.

Unfortunately some riders do seem angry and even over-react – because they deal with bad attitudes from drivers who drive threateningly, blast horns and hurl abuse. Both should chill-out and enjoy the day.

Our message is to try to enjoy your life Daniel, and please, get a bike – your six kilometre round trip to run with your friend is part of the traffic congestion problem that is costing us all millions of dollars to ease, thorough our rates, taxes and car registration, which we all pay.

Ben Wilson, Manager BQ

Ross wrote:http://www.bq.org.au/news/bq-response-t ... -bulletin/

Sydguy wrote: Another nail in the coffin of my son ever walking or riding to school, or anywhere else for that matter. Things just have to change.



JM

Sydguy wrote:Motorists in Sydney and in Australia have 'manned-up' a lot, in fact the police have asked for calm on the roads twice in the last month due to a spike in road deaths.

This was obviously not heeded. Yesterday morning a 5 year old was run down, killed, trying to cross a road, in a school zone less than 300 metres from his kindy. It was also right at an intersection so you would think car doing 40km/h in school zone approaching an intersection might even reduce speed further??? No can do. Places to be, lives to take.

As the boys godfather pointed out, he did not want to walk to school he asked for a lift, but his mother walked with her two other kids. Another nail in the coffin of my son ever walking or riding to school, or anywhere else for that matter. Things just have to change.

Level of outrage over this incident? None. This is situation normal. The Queensland Police should also respond to this article.

JM

Sydguy wrote:@Shred931 - Yup chalk it up to an accident. Totally unavoidable. What driver would expect a kid to run out in front of their car in a school zone at 8:40am 300 metres from the gate? He was due to get an award for coming first in his kindy class - probably in a rush to get to school.

So sad Australia is cool with kids dying on the roads.

JM

Shred931 wrote:"It's believed the Audi, driven by a 42-year-old woman from the Kingsgrove area, was travelling at low speed as it attempted to negotiate a turn onto busy Kingsgrove Rd, which is a 50km/h thoroughfare"

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/bo ... 6534319198" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Accidents happen, even though you want someone to blame.

jules21 wrote:<SNIP> as it is an SUV. the high bumper is an absolute killer for kids in this type of collision - with a lower profile bonnet on a car, the kid will more likely roll over the bonnet.

Shred931 wrote:It seems as though that child may have ran out onto the road into the path of the car. Looks like a tragic accident not a case of negligent driving.

Kenzo wrote:Not all five year old kids are four foot or more.... most would be shorter.

jules21 wrote:

Kenzo wrote:Not all five year old kids are four foot or more.... most would be shorter.

the bonnet line on your average sedan is lower than 4 foot - it would be a pretty short kid who knocked their head on car bonnet leading edge.

Kenzo wrote:That's right - but you said, "the kid will more likely roll over the bonnet".... in this context - you're waaay off the mark.