Wollongong City Council is reminding motorists to keep their distance when passing cyclists.
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The council’s road safety officer Naomi Reid said signs highlighting the legal passing distance had been set up along key roads that were also popular cycling routes.
The signs – located in Towradgi, Figtree and Fairy Meadow – remind motorists to leave one metre between a car and cyclist when travelling 60km/h and 1.5 metres at all other times.
If drivers cannot pass a bicycle rider safely, they should slow down and wait until it is safe to pass leaving the minimum distance.
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Drivers are allowed to cross an unbroken dividing line to leave an appropriate gap, providing there is no oncoming traffic.
“The overall aim is to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes involving cyclists, with an objective to promote the safe sharing of roads in Wollongong,” Ms Reid said.
“Cyclists and drivers all need to share the road for everyone’s safety.”
The variable message signs will be in operation until April 3.
According to the Centre for Road Safety on average, nine bicycle riders are killed every year in NSW while more than 1900 suffered serious injuries.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
