Danger as cars drive down busy bike path in Carlton North
It’s meant to be a safe route for cyclists and pedestrians but moron motorists have been captured dangerously driving down one of Melbourne’s busiest shared bike paths. Watch the footage.
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Dramatic footage has emerged of cars driving down one of Melbourne’s busiest bicycle paths, putting riders at risk of injury.
The two incidents were captured by an on-board bicycle camera on the Capital City Trail in Carlton North.
In the latest dangerous episode, a small yellow sedan drives through the park, on to the shared bike path before turning on to Amess St.
It follows another similar case where a silver-coloured Ford Falcon was filmed leaving the path forcing cyclists to squeeze by near the trail’s Lyon St crossing last year.
Cyclist Jenica Brooke, who filmed both incidents, said she was alarmed at the dangerous behaviour.
“It’s concerning that people don’t respect the shared paths,’’ Ms Brooke said.
A Moreland Council counter on the path near Nicholson St records about 3000 riders cycle past every day.
A Victoria Police spokesman said the incidents were a reminder that cyclists and pedestrians were the most vulnerable road users.
“If involved in a collision, there is very little that protects them from impact,’’ the spokesman said.
“It is disappointing to see drivers breaking the law and putting other road users at risk.”
The offence of “driving on a path” carries a $165 fine but no demerit points.
Bicycle Network spokesman Alexander Miller said more than one million cyclists people ride on the 30km Capital City Trail each year.
“It has a steady stream of riders all day,’’ Mr Miller said.
“Bike paths exist so people don’t have to ride or walk around cars and they’re quite obviously not for driving on.”
Ms Brooke said she did not want to see extra bollards or barriers put up to prevent cars venturing down the path.
“We just want people to do the right thing. Don’t drive on the bike path,’’ Ms Brooke said.
Last month, the RACV called for a trial of minimum passing distances for motorists overtaking cyclists, saying that drivers should leave at least 1m under 60kmh and 1.5m when travelling faster than that.
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