Cyclists should be blameless in car accidents | report

Victorian cyclists should be blameless in any crash involving drivers, an independent report into overhauling Victoria's road rules recommends.

It was also suggested police be given powers to issue on-the-spot fines to cyclists who ride while talking on their mobile phone and riders not in single file on windy and narrow roads.

A host of changes to road rules has been recommended to VicRoads as part of the wide-ranging cycling road rules review it commissioned.

Among proposed changes are laws requiring drivers to leave at least 1m when passing cyclists, allowing cyclists to ride in bus lanes, permitting riders of any age to ride on a footpath if with a child under 12 years old and making it easier to stage a cycling event.

In a bid to address the ongoing road war between motorists and riders, it was recommended an education campaign start alerting drivers and riders to use horns only when needed and motorists to be mindful when opening their car door.

There are significant barriers to bicycle riding in Victoria

Councils surveyed urged Victoria should follow in the footsteps of the Netherlands and introduce "strict liability" where drivers are automatically at fault if they collide with a cyclist.

Council officers also suggested riders being allowed to ride through pedestrian crossing without having to dismount and raising the prospect of permitting riders to turn left at red lights.

These council reforms did not form part of the final recommendations. There were 10,450 people and most, especially bike riders, did not view cycling as safe in Victoria, citing drivers' negative attitudes towards cyclists, lack of riding infrastructure, fears of car doorings and problems with road design.

"Participants agreed there are significant barriers to bicycle riding in Victoria. The main barriers were thought to be the lack of respect shown to bicycle riders and the lack of bicycle riding infrastructure," the report said.

Cyclists talking on mobile phones is illegal but riders can only be taken to court and penalised, making it difficult for police to enforce the law. It would bring consistency when enforcing the law for drivers and riders.

It is also suggested that when motorists are turning left, they be required to give way to cyclists who had a green bicycle crossing light.

The report found strong opposition to introducing licensing and registration for bicycles, and there would be heavy "resistance" if any laws changed requiring cyclists to ride single file.

Data contained in the report shows between 2004 and 2013 there were 29,181 cycling-related crashes with 84 people killed and 4447 receiving serious injuries.

RECOMMENDED CHANGES 

• On-the-spot fines for cyclists using a mobile phone 
• When motorists are turning left, they must give way to cyclists who had a green bicycle crossing light
• Open up bus lanes to cyclists 
• Make it easier to stage a cycling event 
• Banning two abreast in certain locations including windy and narrow roads 
• Allow cars to be driven with an empty bike carrier 
• Making roadwork sites safer for cyclists 
• Riders of any age able to ride on a footpath if with a child under 12 years old