EDITORIAL
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To all the drivers out there who think you own the road, you don’t.
If you are driving a car on our roads it is your obligation to understand you need to share the road with other vehicles such as trucks, buses and yes, even bikes. Cyclists have as much right to be on the roads as others.
As a driver, when you sit behind the wheel, it is your duty to be aware and responsible for not only your own safety, but the safety of your passengers and the safety of other road users. Cyclists included. Suck it up.
Under NSW legislation bikes are considered vehicles and are therefore entitled to the same rights you are as a driver of a vehicle.
Some national media outlets have reported the cyclists in the footage of a motorist abusing riders at Jamberoo were in the wrong because they were not “using the bike lane”. Critically, it was not a bike lane.
A bike lane is a part of the road.It was a shared pathway and therefore the cyclists are totally entitled to ride on the road just as the angry motorist should have been doing.
Also under NSW law, bicycle riders are allowed to ride two abreast, but not more than 1.5 metres apart.
Nothing lights up social media and anger in drivers than the age old debate about cyclists on the road.
Well, people of the Illawarra, you best get used to respecting cyclists on our roads. This region has been awarded the privilege of hosting the world road cycling championships in 2022.
We have been afforded that honour in part for the wonderful roads and environment cyclists in our region get to experience.
The eyes of the world will be on our region in the lead-up to and during that event. Sure, cyclists must obey the road rules too. No question.
But motorists must understand cyclists have as much entitlement to the road as they do. And if you don’t like it, “on yer bike”.
And if you are going to be aggressive in our roads and get caught well, you might just lose your license and guess what your only mode of transport will be?