Page 3264 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 September 2014
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The government agrees to the recommendation that the requirement for cyclists to dismount at pedestrian crossings be amended to enable cyclists to remain on their bikes but that they must slow to a walking pace prior to entering and when crossing the crossing. The government will trial a change to the crossing rules so that cyclists do not have to dismount at a pedestrian zebra crossing or at a marked signalised crossing provided they cross at no faster than walking pace.
However, the government will be careful to ensure that safety is not compromised in the application of the trial. This is emphasised in the government’s response, which notes that a purpose of the existing road rules is to reduce the risk of injury to cyclists associated with cyclists approaching or crossing a road at a speed which provides limited opportunities for motorists to see and give way to the cyclists.
As part of this work, the government will consider the approach taken in Queensland to the rules for road crossings. In Queensland, the road rules were amended in October last year to allow cyclists to ride slowly across the road on a marked foot crossing. Under this rule, the cyclist must give way to pedestrians on the crossing and keep to the left of any oncoming rider of a bicycle or person who is using a personal mobility device.
The Queensland government also recently agreed to a Queensland parliamentary committee recommendation to amend the road rules to allow cyclists to ride across pedestrian and children’s crossings but to require that cyclists will be required to come to a complete stop before riding slowly across the crossing and giving way to pedestrians on the crossing.
The government will also trial a mandated minimum overtaking distance of one metre in speed zones 60 kilometres and below and 1½ metres in speed zones above 60 kilometres. The government will also review the operation of a current trial in relation to this matter in Queensland which runs to 2016. The government understands that so far this trial is operating acceptably and there has been a positive change in behaviour and attitude from motorists towards cyclists. Police in Queensland have issued infringement notices to drivers in breach of the rule. The government believes that a minimum passing rule, which has often been characterised by the Amy Gillett Foundation as “a metre matters”, will play an important role in educating the general community about the vulnerability of cyclists in relation to other more powerful vehicles.
The government notes that introducing this rule into the ACT could present some compliance issues, as there are existing roads where large vehicles and general traffic could not theoretically comply with the rule. To address this, consideration will be given to supporting measures and provisions such as those in Queensland which allow motorists to cross centre lines, including double unbroken centre lines, straddle lane lines, or drive on painted islands to pass cyclists, provided it is safe to do so. A comprehensive community awareness and education strategy will also be developed.
Finally, the government agrees to the recommendation for lower speed limits in school zones and residential areas with a high level of pedestrian and cycling activity
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