Thread: Cyclists.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

There may be other laws but there isn't a ticket in them.

You can almost guarantee that such an alternative charge will be challenged in court. This means that the police officer will have to write briefing notes for the police prosecutor and attend court for the day, irrespective of whether he is on duty or not. Most police will choose not to issue the ticket and save the trouble of prosecuting the offence in court.

Yes there is (in SA at least) - obstructing the flow of traffic.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Further to my previous post, a few reminders

Rule 247
And Rule 253
Interestingly, how many penalty units can one accrue before losing the privilege of riding a bicycle?

As many as you like...

But you do lose your Drivers Licence...

I think it's important to note that the road rules are different in every state. For example, cyclists aren't allowed on WA freeways and some stretches of our highways. I understand in some other states that cyclists are allowed on the freeways. Personally these are roads I would choose to avoid. Even when I've ridden in the country we always used back roads rather than the major highways if possible. Although when we did the Munda Biddi there were some sections such as the entry into Donnybrook where you had to ride on the South West Highway and even though the speed limit was reducing as you entered town the few times we did it, it was a pretty scary experience.

The roads cyclists aren't allowed on are generally serviced by pretty good shared paths on the south of river side of Perth. On the north side the freeway bike path is frequently stopped to cross roads at traffic lights etc and is noted as being an impediment to cyclists using those paths.

The point of what I am saying is that comments on this thread are relating to different laws. Personally as a motorist I would find it annoying having to manoeuvre around cyclists on our freeways. However this would not abdicate my responsibility to practice safe defensive driving if those were the conditions in my state.

Originally Posted by loneranger

I think it's important to note that the road rules are different in every state.

Yes, it is important to note the National Road Rules are different in every state.
[ame]http://www.ntc.gov.au/Media/Reports/%28F1D63B25-98A0-8E5A-EBD4-BA6FC69ABF7D%29.pdf[/ame]


Interestingly, I went for a short drive the other day. What I saw in the first ten minutes impressed me. The cyclists in South Australia are much more intelligent than their counterparts in Victoria. Most understand the road rules.

Nothing wrong in this picture:


This fellow wanted to get knocked off his ride:


This fellow was well in the cycling lane:


As were these two who were not riding two abreast:

A skill that sadly appears to be lost by the riders to the east.

Bicycle riders not to cause a traffic hazard
The rider of a bicycle must not cause a traffic
hazard by moving into the path of a driver or
pedestrian.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.

A few months ago I was driving on a quiet country road near home that has a 100 kph limit. I approached a large group of cyclists going in the same direction.

This group was nearly using all of my lane, but as the road was wide enough for two way traffic and due to there being no oncoming cars, the riders were not posing a problem.

As the road was wide enough for me to pass with plenty of room to spare, probably at least one and a half to two metres, there was no need for me to slow down.

As I got fairly close to them one of the outside riders all of a sudden departs the group and moves into my path forcing me to brake hard to avoid him.

At first I had no idea what he was doing and when he moved back into the group I realised it was a deliberate act to force me to slow down.

It did cause me grief because initially I was concerned that I might collect him.

After I realised, I felt like I wished I had of run over the moron.

It is reasons like this why I hate them. By this I mean when in groups. There seems to be a pack mentality when they they get a group.

The pictures above that Mick posted. I have no issues with most of these type of cyclists, although that is changing with the advent of GO Pro cameras,
where some cyclists reckon they can now take the law into their own hands, like the bikes v horse and cart in Melb and another one middle of last year,
where a cyclist was doored going up the LHS of a tax when it was stopped and the passenger got out.

She was carrying on like a pork chop raving to the passenger "I have this all on film" blah blah.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Yes, it is important to note the National Road Rules are different in every state.
http://www.ntc.gov.au/Media/Reports/...69ABF7D%29.pdf

Maybe you should try reading all of my post.

Yes we have National Road Rules but the actual enforceable bits are covered under the Road Traffic Code and Regulations in WA. This is state legislation not Federal legislation. The next time you get a fine read what Act you have been charged under.

In WA all vehicles that are towing are speed limited to 100kmh. What is the maximum speed limit in your state when towing?

Also if our road rules are National how come each state sets their own fines and penalties?

...And if your right I should be able to ride on the Freeway in WA if I so choose. At the moment this is limited to 1 fundraising event each year which I never participate in.

Originally Posted by d2dave

Bicycle riders not to cause a traffic hazard
The rider of a bicycle must not cause a traffic
hazard by moving into the path of a driver or
pedestrian.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.

A few months ago I was driving on a quiet country road near home that has a 100 kph limit. I approached a large group of cyclists going in the same direction.

This group was nearly using all of my lane, but as the road was wide enough for two way traffic and due to there being no oncoming cars, the riders were not posing a problem.

As the road was wide enough for me to pass with plenty of room to spare, probably at least one and a half to two metres, there was no need for me to slow down.

As I got fairly close to them one of the outside riders all of a sudden departs the group and moves into my path forcing me to brake hard to avoid him.

At first I had no idea what he was doing and when he moved back into the group I realised it was a deliberate act to force me to slow down.

It did cause me grief because initially I was concerned that I might collect him.

After I realised, I felt like I wished I had of run over the moron.

It is reasons like this why I hate them. By this I mean when in groups. There seems to be a pack mentality when they they get a group.

Unfortunately they do this to cyclists on the paths as well, so it isn't limited to motorists. I ended up with broken ribs 2 years ago due to a group of cyclists coming towards me on a shared path swerving into the path of the cyclist in front of me. Only 2 people were injured myself and the guy behind me when he got airborne. He was very lucky he landed before he hit the tree.

Originally Posted by loneranger

In WA all vehicles that are towing are speed limited to 100kmh. What is the maximum speed limit in your state when towing?

if you are in a TD5, about 80km/h it seems.