What is up with Cyclists on the Mornington Peninsula?

This week on the podcast we are discussing Cyclists! on the Mornington Peninsula.

Check out the podcast on Spotify here:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ellisonwhytelaw/episodes/What-is-up-with-Cyclists-on-the-Mornington-Peninsula-e2eqh6t

Or you can find us on YouTube here:

Cyclists – Mornington Peninsula

 

This episode looks at the sharing of roads between cyclists and motor vehicle drivers on the Mornington Peninsula.

 

For the cyclist.  They are exposed and a motor vehicle is a daunting obstacle should there be a collision.

 

For the motor vehicle a cyclist that impedes the motor vehicle travelling at the speed limit is a frustration.  This is particularly amplified when the cyclist is travelling very slowly on a road where there is very limited ability to pass.

 

 

Relevant Law

 
Victorian Legal Aid provide a rider’s guide to the road rules in Victoria.   https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/bike-law


What distance must a motor vehicle pass a cyclist?

 Motorists must leave at least one metre between them and cyclists when overtaking if driving 60kph or less. If driving faster than 60kph, motorists must leave at least 1.5 metres of space.

Can a cyclist take up and entire lane?

 Keep in mind that cyclists can legally take up an entire traffic lane, which may be the safest option on narrow roads where there is no bike lane present. 

Can a cyclist use the footpath?

•       Children aged 12 and under can ride their bike on footpaths. An adult or teenager can also ride on the footpath if accompanying a child under 12, or if they’re riding with a child attached to their bike (i.e., in a child’s bike seat or similar).  
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•       Riders over 12 can also ride on the footpath if they have a medical condition or disability that makes riding on the road difficult.  A person accompanying someone with a medical condition or disability can also ride on the footpath.

What roads can cyclists ride on?

•       Cyclists can ride on the road unless signs say otherwise. However, when riding on a road with a marked bicycle lane, cyclists must ride in the bicycle lane unless it is impracticable to do so.
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•       Cyclists are also not allowed on urban freeways or on any other freeway that has signage prohibiting cyclists.
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•       Bus lanes can be used by cyclists unless a sign prohibits it. 

Can cyclists ride two-abreast? 

•       Cyclists are legally allowed to ride two abreast in both single and multi-lane roads in Victoria.
•       When travelling two abreast, cyclists should be no more than 1.5 metres apart, and no more than two cyclists can ride parallel next to each other (a third may do so temporarily to overtake).  

Road positioning

•       Where there is a bike lane (and it is practicable to use), cyclists must use it.
•       When you're riding you must ride as near as you can to the far left side of the road where this is safe and practical, you are allowed to ride within the lane if there is no bicycle lane present on the road.

Road Rules

      A person riding a bike is required to follow the same road rules as other vehicles.

Health Aspects

Cyclists are most likely exercising and therefore gaining significant health benefits from the activity.

Electronic Bikes

•       A power assisted bicycle is identical to a pedal powered bicycle, except it has an auxiliary motor. Power assisted bicycles have two definitions in Victoria:
•    A bicycle with one or more auxiliary motors attached which has a combined maximum ungoverned continuous rated power output not exceeding 200 watts.
•    An electrically power-assisted cycle (EPAC). These are pedal cycles with an electric motor that has a maximum continued rated power of 250 watts. The power-assistance progressively reduces as the speed increases and cuts off once a top  speed of 25 kilometres per hour is reached. EPACs require the rider to pedal to access the power. 
•       Power assisted bicycles that meet the above definition are allowed to be ridden in Victoria as they are classed as bicycles.

Public pressure on law

•       Public pressure can lead to governments enacting laws.
•       For this reason mutual respect by both bicycle riders and motor vehicle drivers is the best option for the continued sharing of the roads.

What is considerate

The appeal to cycling on the esplanade is understood.   There are freeways and highways for more expeditious transit by motor vehicles so if your in a rush then choose the most appropriate route.

Cyclists using inland roads that are. Not very wide and have double lines.  Yes you can legally use them but why not choose a more appropriate and safer place to exercise.

If you have backed traffic up for a period of time and then find the same traffic stopped at a red light.  It would be polite to not reposition in front of them all again. 

Using your car as a weapon is illegal.

If you feel strongly about this what can you do

Write to your local member.

It seems that the increasing number of cyclist calls for dedicated cycle paths that provide a safe place for cyclists to exercise and transit while facilitating the efficient flow for motor vehicles.

 

 

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/power-assisted-bicycles

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/about-vicroads/acts-and-regulations

https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/bike-law

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/road-markings#:~:text=You%20can%27t%20overtake%20(except,road%20rule%20remains%20the%20same.

https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/transport/cycling/cycling-road-rules-victoria.html

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits