Citizens Cycling Jury Sharing the Roads Safely Final Recommendations November 2014 RAA Response to Recommendations Background The Citizen s Jury Report entitled Sharing the Road Safely was presented to the Premier of South Australia on Thursday 6 November. The report included a number of recommendations based on the work undertaken by the members of the Citizen s Jury. Library of Ideas RAA supports the proposal to make available to interested parties, the other suggestions that have not been included in the final agreed list of recommendations. One Metre does Matter RAA understands and supports the need to ensure that motorists allow sufficient distance between their vehicle and the cyclist when passing to avoid any potential conflict. In April 2014, the Queensland Government commenced a two year trial of legislation to mandate a minimum of a 1 metre clearance when passing cyclists in a 60km/h zone (or lesser speed zone) and 1.5m where the speed limit is greater than 60km/h. RAA does not support the legislative approach taken by the Queensland Government because not only is there difficulty in enforcing such a prescriptive piece of legislation, there is the potential to create further animosity between cyclists and motorists. It is considered that further promotion of the 1 metre matters campaign would be more effective. RAA does support the changes to the existing legislation in Queensland that permits a motorists to cross a double white centre line, straddle lane lines and drive over painted islands to safety overtake cyclists provided the driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic and it is safe to do so. This would allow motorists to overtake a slow moving cyclist on narrow roads, particularly through the Adelaide Hills where currently it is not possible to safely pass a cyclist within the travel lane width. Recommendation to legislate for a minimum of 1.0 metre clearance is not supported.
Alternative recommendation: Develop a comprehensive campaign to promote the reasons for leaving a minimum of 1.0 metre clearance and change the existing legislation to permit motorists to cross a double white centre line, straddle lane lines and drive over painted islands to safety overtake cyclists provided the driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic and it is safe to do so. Formal Cycling Education in Schools RAA strongly supports the provision of additional education about cycling and safety in schools. Its current programs, Street Smart Primary and Street Smart High could be expanded to include additional information about road rules relating to cycling and the practical issues about sharing the road space. RAA would like to take a leadership role in the development and delivery of such programs to a broader audience. The current driver training programs run by Allan Miller include information about road rules in relation to cyclists and motorists together with practical application as part of the driver training process. Recommendation supported: RAA would like to take a leadership role in the development and delivery of such programs to a broader audience. This will be discussed at the next meeting of the Road Safety Strategy Safe Systems Working Group. Knowing and understanding the road rules The importance of communicating any changes to road rules is critical, not only to new drivers but current drivers to inform them about any changes to the road rules. The current edition of the Driver s Handbook includes some information about the responsibilities of motorists and sharing the road with cyclists, but it does not include information on some of the cycling treatments that have been introduced such as bike boxes, separated treatments and contra flows. The idea of an electronic review of road rules knowledge as part of the driver licence renewal process with ten year licences is supported because it provides an opportunity for drivers to refresh their knowledge. RAA would not support that satisfactory completion of this is a prerequisite upon the licence being renewed. Rather it would provide the opportunity to review their answers and retry before moving onto the next question. The combination of the current driver s handbook with the current publication Cycling and the Law is also supported because it ensures that all information pertaining to road users, whether cyclists, pedestrians or motorists is contained in one source.
Cycling on Footpaths Currently cyclists aged 12 and under and adults or older children accompanying them are permitted to ride on the footpath, provided it is done so in a manner that does not endanger pedestrians. The proposal to extend this to all cyclists is supported as an alternative for low speed cycling, provided they are restricted to a max of 10km/h in the same way as mobility scooters to minimise conflict with pedestrians. Key points with this recommendation are: Permitted riding on footpaths is a recommendation and the issues that have been raised would need to be addressed including liability, although cycling on the footpath is already permitted by children under 12 and adults accompanying them Cyclists wishing to travel faster would need to use the adjacent road and in most cases would do so to avoid being impeded by pedestrians and in some cases street furniture Motorists reversing out of their driveway should be giving way to all pedestrians and any cyclists now so in that sense the prosed changes would be no different Issue of liability and responsibility would need to be addressed so that all parties are aware of their rights and obligations Improve Cycling Infrastructure Cycle Lanes The provision of cycle lanes is supported by RAA where they can be provided without undue impact on general access and mobility. Greenways RAA supports this concept as the current installations have proven successful in attracting cyclists and providing safe environments particularly for those cyclists who prefer lower stress routes. Bike Storage Bicycle storage facilities at all major transport hubs and train stations is supported. The trialling of bicycle racks on buses could be considered on certain routes with limited stops only because of the impact on boarding times. It is evident from RAA multimode journeys conducted to date that opportunities to encourage cycling to public transport hubs should be encouraged wherever possible to reduce the demand for parking.
Safer Intersections RAA supports the use of green cycle boxes at intersections on cycling routes where these do not impact on access and traffic flow (for example they should not be installed in an incline). RAA supports bicycle lanes that extend to the intersection/junction and incorporate a stop bar or holding line ahead of that for other vehicles to increase their visibility and assist cyclist to move off slightly ahead of traffic. Recommendations supported. New and Improved cycle lane markings The use of improved cycle lane markings is supported, provided that any form of treatment is intuitive and therefore readily understood by motorists and cyclists alike. It is also important that such treatments are financially sustainable so that the responsible road authorities can maintain any such treatments in good condition within their available resources. Speed and Traffic Flow RAA does not support the proposed 40km/h for Adelaide (excluding West Terrace) and has previously commented that lower speed limits should be restricted to locations with high pedestrian and kerbside activity where lower travel speeds are appropriate (e.g. Rundle Street East, Hindley Street, and Gouger Street adjacent the Central Market) Preference is for motorists to drive to the conditions rather than arbitrarily introduce lower speed limits. The environment should be designed to encourage driving at lower speeds rather than a reliance on a speed limit. Recommendation is not supported as presented. Alternative recommendation: RAA supports lower speed limits only in those locations with high pedestrian and kerbside activity where lower travel speeds are appropriate (e.g. Rundle Street East, Hindley Street, and Gouger Street adjacent the Central Market) RAA recommends motorists drive to the conditions rather than arbitrarily introduce lower speed limits. The environment should be designed to encourage driving at lower speeds rather than a reliance on a posted speed limit.
Collaborative Media and Messaging RAA already does a number of promotions that complement campaigns run by other organizations, and this is seen a logical way to ensure that consistent messages are provided. Recommendation Supported. Annual Safe Cycling Environment Award The proposal to provide an annual two awards, one to an urban cycling initiative and the other to a regional initiative that promotes best practice is supported. High Visibility Initiatives RAA supports education and initiatives to ensure cyclists are readily visible. In particular with the advent of widely available LED light units cyclists can be highly visible in all conditions. With this however there needs to be a code of practice to ensure the lights are located and are of a power output such that they do not constitute a hazard to other road users and pedestrians