07/03/08
The Victorian Government will introduce new laws in an attempt to curb reckless behaviour by some cyclists.
New "culpable cycling" laws will be introduced by the Victorian Government later this year in a bid to curb reckless behaviour by some cyclists.
Under the laws, cyclists would face jail and fines for serious offences that result in death or injury to pedestrians, other cyclists or even motorists.
The laws were introduced after a series of incidents involving cyclists, including the death of a 77-year-old man in Mentone in 2006.
Victorian roads minister Tim Pallas said cyclists who broke the law must be treated like drivers who drove illegally.
"If a cyclist is taking actions that are comparable to a driver acting negligently, then they should be subject to the same (penalties)," Mr Pallas said.
The new laws were included last month in the State Government's Arrive Alive 2 strategy, but received no publicity.
Mr Pallas was speaking following an incident on Tuesday in which a cyclist hit a pedestrian getting off a city tram in Melbourne.
The pedestrian, Don McFadyen, 62, was last night in intensive care with a dislocated hip and a severe fracture of the arm.
The rider, believed to be a woman in her 20s, stopped but rode off soon after. Yesterday, Victoria Police said a woman, 24, from Thornbury, had made contact with the Northcote police station about the incident and was helping them with their inquiries.
Bicycling Victoria chief executive Harry Barber said yesterday he supported the new laws, although he was disappointed that his organisation had not been consulted on the changes.
"If we want respect on the roads, we have to abide by the same laws as motorists," he said.
He said that too many riders were cycling past trams without stopping to let passengers off.
"I think it's appropriate for police to have a blitz on cyclists not stopping for trams," Mr Barber said.
In August 2006, James Gould was killed as he crossed Beach Road in Mentone. William Raisin-Shaw, the cyclist who hit Mr Gould, was later fined $400.
At the time, magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg acknowledged that it was a "pathetic" fine and called for tougher laws. Under the laws at the time, Raisin-Shaw was charged only with failing to stop at a red light.
Melbourne City Council is working on a strategy to improve safety in the city, and reduce "conflict points" for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Mr Pallas ruled out introducing compulsory registration for cyclists.
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