Banyule Council leads push for minimum passing distance between cars and bicycles
Cyclists and councils want to change the road rules to include a minimum passing distance between cars and bicycles, with a hefty fine proposed for law-breakers — but there’s a compelling reason the RACV says it could be a risky move. TAKE POLL
Outer East
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Councils and cyclists are leading a push to rewrite Victoria’s road rules to make passing distances mandatory for motorists.
The existing rule only requires cars to leave a “sufficient” distance when passing a cyclist.
The group wants to set a passing distance of 1m from cyclists in speed zones of 60km/h or less, and 1.5m in zones above 60km/h, but the RACV has warned this could increase the risk of crashes.
Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said setting a minimum passing distance would help people feel more confident about riding bikes.
He said it would be best enforced by plain clothes officers on bikes.
“A fine similar to that of dooring plus demerit points could be an appropriate penalty,” Mr Richards said.
“The fine for dooring is currently $413 for anyone who opens a door into traffic, not just the driver.”
Banyule Council floated the idea at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s State Council Meeting, and found plenty of support.
While the vote wasn’t unanimous among councils, there was enough backing for the idea to become part of the MAV’s policy platform.
Mayor Wayne Phillips said the council had lobbied for safer bicycle paths for years.
“Any change to regulations that improve the safety for cyclists is strongly supported by council,” he said.
“In Banyule, there were 96 recorded serious or other injuries between 2014 and 2018 in relation to cyclists.”
RACV spokesman Bryce Prosser said his organisation was exploring all options.
“Our concern has been that this rule will be difficult to enforce and that in some situations allowing one metre will require a driver to cross the centre line – potentially increasing the risk of an accident,” he said.
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New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT have set distance laws, while Western Australia and the Northern Territory are trialling them.
In 2017 the Victorian Government rejected calls for such a law, opting for a public awareness campaign.
State government spokesman Jordy Jeffrey-Bailey said they were reviewing the effectiveness of the law in other states.