Pedestrian groups are calling for on-the-spot fines for Melbourne cyclists

Pedestrian groups in Melbourne are calling for speeding cyclists, travelling double the limit, to be slapped with on-the-spot fines.

Cyclists along Melbourne’s popular Southbank Boulevard are being warned to slow down, as calls from pedestrian groups grow for police to have tougher powers to deal with speeding riders.

While police can fine cyclists for speeding, they can’t do so on the spot.

For riders to be fined, it needs to be done via summons, which takes more time and work and needs to be amended.

“We think it’s a gap in our road rules that (cyclists) should be able to be issued an infringement directly,” Victoria Walks executive officer Ben Rossiter told 7 News.

RELATED: New $1000 phone driving fine

RELATED: Cyclist cops whopping $915 in fines

Cyclists on a popular Melbourne strip have been recorded travelling at twice the speed limit. Picture: Channel 7

In areas of the city, cyclists have been recorded travelling up to 20km/h on a shared path with pedestrians that has a speed limit of 10km/h.

“We know walkers and cyclists don’t mix, particularly fast-moving commuters, cyclists and older walkers, people with disabilities and vision impairments,” Mr Rossiter said.

“They just don’t work together.”

A local council survey has found that more than 10,000 people ride into the city each day – the equivalent of 52 full trams.

Should cyclists be hit with on-the-spot speeding fines? 🚴🏼 In areas that have a speed limit of 10kph, cyclists have...

Posted by news.com.au on Monday, 17 February 2020

“The number of people coming here has increased significantly, so there are some design issues we do need to look at,” Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said.

The council is spending $5 million on a dedicated bike path through the backstreets of Southbank, expected for completion at the end of 2020.

Originally published as Pedestrian groups are calling for on-the-spot fines for Melbourne cyclists