Bicycle Queensland has teamed with a leading Queensland law firm urging frequent road cyclists to use cameras on their bikes, in a bid to build evidence against dangerous driving.
The call marks the launch of a joint campaign by McInnes Wilson Lawyers and Bicycle Queensland to improve safety for cyclists.
The project is the first of its kind in Australia and will include the establishment of a strongly policed Facebook group where Queensland cyclists can share camera evidence and seek informal legal advice.
CEO of Bicycle Queensland, Anne Savage, said the initiative would provide greater support to all vulnerable road users.
“This campaign will help to raise the benchmark in road safety for cyclists.
“We’re proud to partner with the Cycle Law team at McInnes Wilson to help make roads safer for all Queenslanders by discouraging dangerous driving.
“We receive hundreds of complaints each year from riders who feel like the law has failed them.
“Our aim is to strengthen support for cyclists while raising awareness and addressing dangerous and distracted driving.
“This campaign is the start of a community revolution to make our roads safer for all Queenslanders.
“It’s an innovative approach to try and achieve fair outcomes for cyclists and improve compliance with the law,” Ms Savage said.
Leading lawyer and head of McInnes Wilson’s Cycle Law division, Emily Billiau, said the campaign would serve as a strong deterrent against dangerous driving.
“Not only will the actions of irresponsible drivers be captured, but they can also be identified and reported to the police,” Ms Billiau said.
“There are three key advantages to cyclists using cameras – they deter motorists who would otherwise break the law, they gather evidence to help the police prosecute these law-breakers, and they raise awareness that there is zero tolerance for illegal behaviour on our roads.
“The footage captured on cameras can have great legal value, assisting cyclists with establishing liability.
“Our goal is to help cyclists present video evidence to the police so that the police can charge irresponsible motorists and issue them with demerit points.
“Drivers who receive repeated infringements for breaking the law stand to lose their licence – our aim is to ensure that the law removes them from the road in a timely and fair fashion, giving cyclists and other vulnerable road users the level of protection they deserve.
“Our ultimate aim is to make our streets safer for all Queenslanders.”
Cyclists who wish to register online to join the conversation are eligible to win one of 10 state-of-the-art cycle cameras.
For more information on the initiative, go to
http://www.cyclelaw.com.au/the-on-bike- ... your-back/.