Reminder...new pushbike rules from April 7th

[Grunter]

I ride a pedal car. Does that mean I have to keep 1m away from myself?

[mechanic]

I used to ride my bike around Cairns bikeways and occasionally on the quieter residential streets untill I got a little bit too brave and decided to try the Bruce Highway at the 80klm/hr section near home.
The amount of suction from the rear of the first semi that went past me convinced me right there and then that bikes are for bikeways and cars and trucks are for roads.
We have a lot of cyclists killed here on roundabouts on the northern beaches. Some places have a pushbike chained to the fence to remind people of the tragedy.
Just a micron of the self preservation instinct should be enough to stop cyclists going anywhere near vehicles weighing from 1.5 - 60+ tonne travelling at speeds up to 100 klm/hr.
It certainly stopped me ever going anywhere near a road on a bike.

In reality though, there is a great untapped source of income and GST receipts out there driving to the best of their ability and desperately trying not to cause anyone any harm. [ Do cyclists really think drivers TRY to cause accidents ]?

Just criminalizing more law abiding citizens, nothing more nothing less.

[Itsme]

I don't mind cyclists using the roads long as they obey laws, can be identified & prosecuted like motorists.

The law applies to all road users.

[burnz]

gotta like the gov up their, every pushbike is a mobile RBT works for the gov.

[cs123]

there are also a bunch of new laws for cyclists too in qld

[strik9]

Originally Posted by cs123

there are also a bunch of new laws for cyclists too in qld

yeah whats that, no more than groups of three in a pack

[Road_Warrior]

Attention Sandgropers: Coming soon to a public road near you :

Make no mistake. It's already being talked about by Main Roads and the cops.

[DBourne]

To the couple of people who are saying that cyclists will film them, and if just under a metre, will get them in trouble, ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING?!

It'd be the same as me filming my dash, watching someone creep away 1km/h over the limit then running to the cops.

In both cases you would politely be told to get stuffed.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

To the couple of people who are saying that cyclists will film them, and if just under a metre, will get them in trouble, ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING?!

It'd be the same as me filming my dash, watching someone creep away 1km/h over the limit then running to the cops.

In both cases you would politely be told to get stuffed.

The cops do listen, been proven here in Melbourne CBD.
When I visit the CBD or known bike haunts my dash cam is on all the time to capture any push bikes errant actions, us motorists can play the game.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

To the couple of people who are saying that cyclists will film them, and if just under a metre, will get them in trouble, ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING?!

It'd be the same as me filming my dash, watching someone creep away 1km/h over the limit then running to the cops.

In both cases you would politely be told to get stuffed.

Nope...sorry. Not any more. This was a reply on the Transport Department Facebook site to a question about cyclists using cameras:

the suggestion to ‘dob in motorists’ was not something that was initiated by the Department. Police Minister Jack Dempsey has approved the use of video footage taken by cyclists to help police enforce the new rules but I think you’ll find that still images, as you’ve suggested, would be determined to be inconclusive proof for exactly the reason you’ve given. If a cyclist chooses to have a “Go Pro” style camera, this video evidence would be considered carefully by police. If a motorist chooses to use a similar type of dashcam in their vehicle, that evidence would be considered just as carefully. As for your other questions, please feel free to visit our website and consult the FAQs

So there you go.



Here's a link to more details about the new laws...
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/tm...esbicycles.pdf

"But what if I can't give a meter?"
Always apply common sense, obey the rules and remember:
1. Check your surroundings and the cars around you
2. If it is safe to do so, indicate and pass the cyclist at the
minimum distance
3. If not, slow down and wait until it is safe to pass

See...simple? Just stick your car back into first gear, and dawdle along until your lord and master on the pushbike decides to move over and allow you, his faithful servant, to get past. Easy!

Another gem...

10. Does a cyclist need to observe the minimum
distance when passing motorists?
Cyclists are expected to keep a safe distance when passing
other traffic.
However, the minimum passing distance applies to motorists
passing a cyclist, not cyclists passing motorists. This is because
of the greater risk faced by cyclists when motorists pass them
too closely. Cyclists do not pose the same risk to motorists.

Really. As I said, all responsibility is now on car and truck drivers, bikes now have no responsibility for thier own safety. It's up to YOU to keep out of THEIR way.

Oh...and if you were thinking of taking it to court...?

4. If I do not give the appropriate minimum distance,
what penalties will I receive?
Motorists who break the rule will receive three demerit points
and a fine of $330. A maximum fine of $4,400 can apply if
the matter goes to court.

I was wrong...people WILL just pay up and shut up rather than risk that...

Also, when calculating that meter or meter and a half, remember your mirrors and put them into the equation...I mean, you have nothing better to do with your time when you're driving do you?

"How is the passing distance measured?" the leftmost part of the vehicle, or something projecting
from the vehicle, such as a mirror.

What to do if a cyclist pulls up closer than a meter? Simple...

11. What if I’ve stopped and a cyclist pulls up beside
me within the minimum passing distance?
If you have stopped, for example at traffic lights or in a line of
traffic, and a cyclist stops beside you within the minimum passing
distance, you have not committed an offence. When the traffic
starts moving let the cyclist ride ahead, and only overtake the
cyclist when you can safely leave the minimum passing distance.

You have to sit and wait after the light goes green until the cyclist has moved off, and then you have to wait for an opportunity to pass him...no more taking off as soon as the light goes green like in every other fricking state in the nation...


All hail our new overlords, the pushbike riders...

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

All hail our new overlords, the pushbike riders...

Such over dramatics!

[2011G6E]

Really?

Go and read that link on the site to the .pdf file of Q&A information...and see just how little you are now NOT allowed to do on the roads, and how much power cyclists now have over traffic.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

What to do if a cyclist pulls up closer than a meter? Simple...

You have to sit and wait after the light goes green until the cyclist has moved off, and then you have to wait for an opportunity to pass him...no more taking off as soon as the light goes green like in every other fricking state in the nation...

that's just stupid. It would be safer for a motorist to over take a cyclist from a standing start at the lights then at speed. gotta laugh at some of the brain dead people who come up with such stupid laws

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

Such over dramatics!

well he is pretty much right unfortunately

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Really?

Go and read that link on the site to the .pdf file of Q&A information...and see just how little you are now NOT allowed to do on the roads, and how much power cyclists now have over traffic.

If cyclists were megolomaniacs I think you may have a case, but most of them, kids, youths and adults alike are reasonable humans like you and I. I doubt much will change for the regular driver, but the dicks that cause the need to have these so called 'draconian' laws might get a surprise and deserve it.

Laws are made 'on balance' and Id suggest this brings a law into life that more and more people will be advantaged by, a critical mass of cyclists has been reached. No going back, now bend and take it from your new overlords, I for one welcome this change.

JP

[2011G6E]

I may have "welcomed" it too...providing there was even the smallest requirement for cyclists to do their best to keep their distance from cars with a similar penalty if THEY come too close, but there isn't...it says it in plain black and white...they are only "expected", not "required" to keep a distance:

10. Does a cyclist need to observe the minimum
distance when passing motorists?
Cyclists are expected to keep a safe distance when passing
other traffic.
However, the minimum passing distance applies to motorists
passing a cyclist, not cyclists passing motorists. This is because
of the greater risk faced by cyclists when motorists pass them
too closely. Cyclists do not pose the same risk to motorists.

.

[blueoval]

In before the lock, but this is an interesting article https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/ge...-riding/10532/

In saying all this, I would be more than happy to pay for registration and to be accountable for my actions BUT, I will then take my share of the road which will include not just using the shoulder of the road but the middle if I see fit because I pay for rego. If my kids are registered for using a road, I expect other road users to give them the use of the roads also without question. Bring on the rego I say!

Sounds stupid doesn't it.

Fact of the matter is, registering cyclists will not alleviate the anger towards them by motorists. What it will do is give cyclists MORE rights to use the roads in what ever manner they see fit.

Registration is not the answer. Education in SHARING the roads and giving people due respect and courtesy when using them is the only way. The US vs THEM mentality is mind numbing and getting old.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Well I dont know what its like in your neck of the woods, but we drive around Brisbane CBD, live about 6kms out, and Im telling you know the planning in this town is a shocker.

If they had bike lanes then there would be 0 problem, but they dont, any! So imagine the issue we have now were motorists are paranoid about being stung for probably being just within that zone. There is no room to move, traffic all over the joint and there have been plenty of times when whole streets back up because cyclists cant move and motorists cant move.

All the while I look out my office window and the footpaths are 3m's+ wide on each side....

There are DH's on both side of the fence BTW.

shhhh... for a little backwater country hick town, we have plenty of cycling lanes

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by blueoval

In before the lock, but this is an interesting article https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/ge...-riding/10532/

In saying all this, I would be more than happy to pay for registration and to be accountable for my actions BUT, I will then take my share of the road which will include not just using the shoulder of the road but the middle if I see fit because I pay for rego. If my kids are registered for using a road, I expect other road users to give them the use of the roads also without question. Bring on the rego I say!

Sounds stupid doesn't it.

Fact of the matter is, registering cyclists will not alleviate the anger towards them by motorists. What it will do is give cyclists MORE rights to use the roads in what ever manner they see fit.

Registration is not the answer. Education in SHARING the roads and giving people due respect and courtesy when using them is the only way. The US vs THEM mentality is mind numbing and getting old.

yep, world would be a much nicer place if everyone stopped being ****s to each other

[2011G6E]

I don't think paid yearly registration of pushbikes is what would "fix" the issue of how cyclists ride...sadly the majority of cyclists.

However, I think identification is the issue which grates at most people. Pay a one off small fee (not a yearly thing), get a number plate like the small one on a motorbike, and be forced to display it on the back, say under the seat or rear fender if it has one, or a bracket on the frame. That way, cyclists would know that they couldn't just act as they wish, unknown and unidentifiable by motorists.

[XBROO]

I don't really ride a pushy but they definitely shouldn't have to pay rego, that's insane. But we all should have respect for each other, but that would be a perfect world. So since it isn't this law is going cause a lot of hatred between cyclist and motorist. Because the knuckle heads from both groups are going to force the issue.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

If cyclists were megolomaniacs I think you may have a case, but most of them, kids, youths and adults alike are reasonable humans like you and I. I doubt much will change for the regular driver, but the dicks that cause the need to have these so called 'draconian' laws might get a surprise and deserve it.

Laws are made 'on balance' and Id suggest this brings a law into life that more and more people will be advantaged by, a critical mass of cyclists has been reached. No going back, now bend and take it from your new overlords, I for one welcome this change.

JP

but that's the problem. its the minority that causes all the trouble. the minority that causes trouble for the majority of both cyclists and motorists. this time the motorists has to suffer. how often do you see the police pulling over the cycling clubs/ groups riding 3 or more abreast?? some of the stuff you see them do you wonder why people hate them. I certainly don't condone anyone mowing cyclists down but you do wonder why they get hit. I cant see an advantage to a cyclists riding on a busy road at peak hour with cars banked behind them waiting to pass. One of the biggest killers on the road isn't Speed, Drink driving/Drug driving, Fatigue or not wearing a seatbelt. Its Impatiens, a lot of people don't like to wait. this will **** people off and will have bad consequences for all road users. we possibly will have a road rage increase here in Queensland in the next 2 years. the appropriate thing to do would be to enforce cyclists that deliberately break the laws like riding 3 or more abreast and to properly enforce motorists that deliberately try to run cyclists of the roads etc

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I don't think paid yearly registration of pushbikes is what would "fix" the issue of how cyclists ride...sadly the majority of cyclists.

However, I think identification is the issue which grates at most people. Pay a one off small fee (not a yearly thing), get a number plate like the small one on a motorbike, and be forced to display it on the back, say under the seat or rear fender if it has one, or a bracket on the frame. That way, cyclists would know that they couldn't just act as they wish, unknown and unidentifiable by motorists.

This is UK based, but the principles still apply.
http://ipayroadtax.com/licensed-to-c...nsed-to-cycle/

IF BIKES HAD NUMBER PLATES, CYCLISTS WOULD BE SCOFFLAWS NO MORE
Er, like car registration plates, and motoring training and tests, stop motorists from speeding, talking on mobile phones and blowing through red lights?

The cyclists most likely to break traffic rules (rules, it has to be said, designed to lessen the lethal potential of motorised vehicles and moderate the bad behaviour of motorists) are those most likely not to wander into the Post Office for bicycle licences and third-party insurance, or seek out cycle training.

[Young lads, for instance. And it's young lads who don't buy car insurance either. According to the Motor Insurers' Bureau, of the 1.2 million drivers aged 17-20, a whopping 243,000 (20 percent) are believed to be driving without insurance.]

When he was still mayor, Ken Livingstone said he would introduce bicycle operator licences for London cyclists.

“I think I’m now persuaded we should actually say that bikes and their owners, should be registered. There should be a number plate on the back so that the ones breaking the law, we can get them off the cameras.”

Bicycles with number plates big enough to be read by traffic cameras? The idea was dropped.

If a pedestrian or driver spotted a youth doing something illegal on a number plated bike, what would the police do with that information? Likely, nothing. Because that’s what they do for pretty much all ‘minor’ highway infractions. Try this at home: ring the police and report a speeding car. Give the number plate and say you saw the driver doing 40mph in a 30mph zone. What do you think the reaction would be?

Even with GATSO cameras it’s not a dead cert that a speeding motorist will be nabbed. There’s lots of wriggle room, and plenty of lawyers happy to be paid to do the wriggling.

Go to the police with just a license plate number and expect short shrift: whether that plate is on a car or a bicycle. But why stop at cars and bicycles? Why not prams? Or horses? Or pedestrians?

MOTOR VEHICLES ARE LICENSED FOR GOOD REASON
To drive a car in the UK you must be licensed, must pass a test and be 17 or over. To ride a bike you merely have to balance. Children aren’t allowed to drive cars, but they are allowed to ride bikes for the simple reason that bicycles are not killing machines. No-one in their right mind would allow an eight year old to drive a car on the public highway, but children, quite rightly, are allowed to ride bicycles on the public highway.

If a licensing system were brought in, would children have to have ‘child cycling licences’? At what age would the cut off be? 16, 8, 4? If children were exempt from licensing, would that preclude them from using roads on their bicycles? It’s already happening: in the name of safety, a school in Watford has linked up with the police to create ‘bike passports’ for pedalling pupils.

“Any pupil who fails to meet…conditions will not get a bike passport and will not be allowed to cycle to school.”

One of the reasons for Toronto not reinstigating its bicycle registration bylaw was the netting of children. The City said “licensing of bicycles [should] be discontinued because it often results in an unconscious contravention of the law at a very tender age; they also emphasize the resulting poor public relations between police officers and children.”

Motor vehicles are licensed because of the threat they pose to other road users. Motorists who drive recklessly can cause severe damage to property and people, yet, because of airbags and crumple zones, can climb out of their vehicle unscathed. Cyclists who ride recklessly risk, for the most part, only their own life and limb. Hit a car; risk death. Hit a pedestrian; risk serious injury. Cyclists pay attention; self-preservation polices itself.

[DBourne]

2011, according to you, a bike could never pass a car anyway, which is how this whole thingo is written anyway.

FOR PASSING.

I'm not against you in saying that this whole thing is silly, 100% I think it is.

If we all just had better education, more consideration and a generally better outlook on life, there wouldn't need to be any of this rubbish.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I don't think paid yearly registration of pushbikes is what would "fix" the issue of how cyclists ride...sadly the majority of cyclists.

However, I think identification is the issue which grates at most people. Pay a one off small fee (not a yearly thing), get a number plate like the small one on a motorbike, and be forced to display it on the back, say under the seat or rear fender if it has one, or a bracket on the frame. That way, cyclists would know that they couldn't just act as they wish, unknown and unidentifiable by motorists.

^ this, brilliant idea!!! Bring it on!! I would happily get a number plate to identify my push bike

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by wildrider

^ this, brilliant idea!!! Bring it on!! I would happily get a number plate to identify my push bike

Oh so would I. My daughter actually suggested it. It would certainly make people think twice about flying through red lights and doing other illegal things. Especially seeing as how now cyclists are apparently to face the same penalties as other motorists for such infringements. If they have to face the same penalties, there has to be some way to identify them...

[Smoke Pursuit]

Maybe they could pay a 1 off fee to get a registration plate, so that people can identify them when they break the law.

This money could be spent on education.

I always give cyclists as much room as possible as I dont want someone elses death riding on my conscience.

Sadly they don't seem to take their own lives seriously in a lot of cases.

[blueoval]

I see a lot of accusations of 'most' cyclists:

- flouting the law
- taking their lives in their own hands
- being a menace to society
- Not being accountable for actions

Do you think it's fair to blatantly paint every cyclist with the same brush?

I am a recreational rider. I do my very best to give the driver more right of way than I need to, no not because I am obliged to do so, but because I show courtesy.

I also indicate when Im stopping or turning, out of courtesy.

I stick to the far LHS of any road not marked as a bicycle lane, out of courtesy.

I give a thumbs up for drivers having to wait 3 seconds behind me as I cross a bridge, not because I have to, but because I appreciate those who do have the decency to show courtesy.

I have never run a red light on a bicycle because I don't want to add more fuel to the fire of this issue.

I do my very best in being fully aware of other road users on main roads as I know it is my life at risk. You guys are fine, it will just be a tickle on your duco. I don't have that air bag luxury. (It will mess up my strava times )

I know if I do get hit, I have life/trauma and other insurances to protect my family and my livelihood.

Oh and I also am a motorist who pays for road taxes, registration of more than 1 vehicle, as well as other compulsory requirements motorists are obligated to.

I find it a little degrading to be cast under the same banner as a lawless halfwit on 2 wheels with no thought of anyone else. Yes there are a few out there who are aggressive, self righteous, condescending, and quite possibly ignorant who make us law abiding riders look bad, but I do not see the reason why you guys need to see red because of these such people. I actually see more drivers doing the wrong thing on the road than cyclists, I kid you not. But I dont get out my phone to snap a bloody picture of their number plate and report them to make them accountable for their petty actions. I don't see the point in getting flustered and wasting my limited time in a vendetta because someone held me up by 3 seconds on my commute to my destination.

Please guys, enough of the hatred. We aren't ALL bad riders, and it isn't fair that you tarnish us along the lines of the stupid, when there is just as many if not more stupid drivers on the road who could tarnish you in the same light. (re: modified cars = hoons)

[nstg8a]

Always an emotive subject

Personally I don't care if cyclists want to use the road, but surely they do so knowing the risks, to make the driver completely responsible for maintaining a safe gap is ludicrous, as is the rules for taking off at a green light.

Those saying cyclists aren't that vindictive are probably right, on the most part.

But what about a copper, at the end of his shift, who maybe hasn't quite fulfilled his quota? Sit at an interesection and nab a few drivers, quota filled just like that.

Also what is the law regarding cyclists passing slower traffic on the left?

Say it's slow bumper to bumper traffic, you take off from a set of lights, have to wait behind a cyclist for 150-200m until you can safely pass them under the new rules, then a few hundred metres up the road traffic slows again for a red light.
That same cyclist now rides all the way to front again, and proceeds to hold up traffic as he gets preferential treatment across the intersection... And repeat for the next 5-6 sets of lights....

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Also what is the law regarding cyclists passing slower traffic on the left?

Say it's slow bumper to bumper traffic, you take off from a set of lights, have to wait behind a cyclist for 150-200m until you can safely pass them under the new rules, then a few hundred metres up the road traffic slows again for a red light.
That same cyclist now rides all the way to front again, and proceeds to hold up traffic as he gets preferential treatment across the intersection... And repeat for the next 5-6 sets of lights....

For what it is worth, I, don't nor anyone I ride with, does this.

It's rude, it's dangerous, it's asking for trouble. This goes back to the whole courtesy thing.

I take my position in traffic and that's it.