Cyclists enraged over new laws allowing ride-sharing services to pull over in bike lanes

CYCLISTS have ridden into a new road war against ride-sharing operators over new laws putting more cars on a collision course with bikes in cycling lanes.

NEW road laws are putting cyclists on a collision course with Uber drivers and passengers.

Under the new legislation introduced on July 1, drivers for companies such as Uber, Taxify and Ola can pull into and park in bike lanes during pick-ups and drop-offs in the same way that taxis do.

Angry cyclists claim the rule increases conflict and the likelihood of serious clashes between riders and drivers.

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Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards says the ­Andrews Government should reverse the laws.

“Ride-share cars and taxis are a huge risk in bike lanes, drivers pull in unexpectedly, slam on the brakes and fling doors open into the path of ­riders,” he said.

“Our members often tell us about crashes and near misses with taxis and Ubers using bike lanes.

Tatiana Marulanda tries to avoid taxi and Uber drivers. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“Now that open season has been declared it’s only going to get worse.

“When you see a taxi you know it might pull in and can prepare, but it’s very hard to anticipate an unbranded Uber or Taxify car cutting you off.”

RACV public policy general manager Bryce Prosser said it was possible to book ride-share trips without intruding on bike lanes. “Ride-share operators are a growing part of the ­transport mix, more operators on the road potentially creates further obstacles for cyclists,” he said.

Richmond local Tatiana Marulanda said her greatest fear was that an accident would take place while her son was riding with her on the back of the bike.

“It’s really scary to have taxis and ride-share cars unpredictably stop in front of you and push you into the path of other vehicles.”

The new rules are part of a raft of changes to the commercial passenger industry that took effect at the start of the month, including the deregulation of booked taxi fares.

“We regularly communicate with driver-partners and encourage them to help keep streets safer by following ­Victorian traffic laws,” an Uber spokeswoman said.

A government spokeswoman said drivers and cyclists were encouraged to use caution on the road.

“To ensure the safety of passengers, taxis have had an exemption that allows them to temporarily stop to pick up and drop off passengers in no parking areas on roads,” she said.

“We have extended this safety provision to ride-sharing passengers.”

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