Cyclists on a collision course over ‘die-in’

THE cycling community is split over a decision to stage a controversial “die-in” during Bike Week that could further infuriate frustrated motorists.

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THE cycling community is split over a decision to stage a controversial “die-in” during Bike Week that could further infuriate frustrated motorists.

Cycling Queensland boss Anne Savage has begged organisers of Wednesday’s planned die-in on Vulture St to cancel, fearing that it puts road users and protesters at risk.

Cyclists lie down on the road during a mass protest ‘die-in’ on the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane in July 2017. There is another ‘die-in’ being planned for Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

But protest organiser Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri said previous efforts to reason with the council over ­cyclist safety had achieved nothing so it was time to “increase the political pressure”.

“The council is making a calculated decision that we are happy to accept a certain amount of serious accidents in exchange for not slowing down traffic and we think that’s unacceptable,” said the Greens’ lone representative.

Mr Sri said he was not sure how many cyclists would attend the die-in at 8.25am on Wednesday near the corner of Vulture and Graham streets, South Brisbane. But he said the protest, which involves cyclists lying prone in the middle of the road next to their bikes, would only last 15 minutes and had been registered with police who would provide traffic control to ensure public safety.

Ms Savage said she had asked Mr Sri to call off the event, telling him it would damage cyclists’ credibility and “raise questions about our professional judgment and competency”.

“There can be no doubt the protest will achieve the superficial goal of generating media coverage, although at quite a significant cost – alienating us even further from authorities and the general community, many of whom already have low regard for cyclists,” she said.

Mr Sri said he would gladly call off the event if the Council gave him a commitment to reduce speed limits or improve safety on Vulture St.