Respect: Terry Mulder.
CYCLISTS and motorists across the region will be able to “discuss their concerns” with each other as part of a new road safety campaign, State Government has announced.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the “first of its kind” campaign would use a Facebook page as a form for riders and drivers to “come together”.
The Road User or Abuser campaign addressed key issues including limited knowledge of cycling road rules among both rider and drivers and cyclists breaking regulation “when they think it’s safe to do so”.
“We know that many bike riders feel that drivers resent their presence on the roads and many drivers are unaware of the challenges faced by bike riders or even realise they are there,” Mr Mulder said.
“Eighty-eight per cent of drivers and bike riders agree there needs to be greater mutual respect between road users. Eighty-three per cent agree that behaviour on the road is too aggressive and rude compared to our behaviour in other aspects of our lives.”
Mr Mulder said the attitudes and behaviour of riders and drivers toward each other was “at times negative”.
“While 87 per cent of bike riders and drivers believe bike riders are more vulnerable than drivers on the roads, only 52 per cent believe that drivers actually look out for bike riders.”
Mr Mulder said dangerous driver behaviour included opening car doors without checking for approaching riders, driving across the path of oncoming cyclists and hitting bikes from behind or the side.
Bike riders also needed to “do their bit”.
“Even though the majority of bike riders know the road rules, according to the research there is a minority that continues to flout the law,” Mr Mulder said.
“While most bike riders ride to minimise risk, some seek risk taking as acceptable and may be prepared to break road rules if they think it is safe and they will get to their destinations faster.”
Mr Mulder said the campaign would feature an online discussion on VicRoads’ Road User or Abuser page on Facebook.
