The government is urging drivers and cyclists to share road safety.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
BIKE riders and drivers are being urged to share the road safely in a new government campaign.
The social media awareness campaign, Road User or Abuser, is using a Facebook page as a forum for bike riders and drivers to come together to discuss their concerns about sharing Victoria’s roads.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the campaign addressed key road safety issues, including a lack of knowledge of cycling-related road rules by both bike riders and drivers, and bike riders breaking key road rules when they think it’s safe to do so.
Research findings show that not only are driver and bike rider attitudes toward each other at times negative, so are some of their behaviours.
He said bike riders also need to do their bit by wearing a helmet, using bicycle lights to make sure they are visible, riding in bicycle lanes where they are provided and stopping at red lights.
“It is important that drivers and bike riders take shared responsibility for staying safe on Victoria’s roads.
“Even though the majority of bike riders know the road rules, according to the research there is a minority who continue to flout the law,” Mr Mulder said.
“While most bike riders ride to minimise risk, some see risk taking as acceptable, and may be prepared to break road rules if they think it is safe and they will get to their destination faster.”
Mr Mulder said the popularity of cycling has increased dramatically over the past 10 years.
“For bike riders, riding is a means of transport, a form of fitness and a way to keep in touch with friends who are fellow bike riders.
“But the culture of cycling is relatively young in Victoria, so bike rider and driver behaviour needs to improve to make sure everyone shares the road respectfully,” he said.
An online community discussion will be held on VicRoads’ new Road User or Abuser Facebook page, encouraging bike riders and drivers to discuss their concerns with each other.
Mr Mulder said the campaign provided an excellent opportunity to clear up misconceptions about the road rules and address issues relating to road safety.
“A simple quiz asks drivers and bike riders to reflect on their own on-road behaviour and for some, the results may be surprising,” he said.
The Road User or Abuser campaign will address a key topic each week over six weeks of the campaign, including relationships, rules and tips, visibility, points of view, confessions and conciliation. Any other hot topics identified during the campaign will also be addressed.
All drivers and bike riders are urged to log on to VicRoads’ new Road User or Abuser page, take the quiz and start talking about the issues they face when on the road.
