Labor expected to vote down safe cycling Bill

CYCLISTS are unlikely to get minimum overtaking distances in Victoria despite the Upper House passing a Bill in state parliament.

CYCLISTS are unlikely to get minimum overtaking distances in Victoria despite the Upper House passing a Bill in state parliament.

BLOCKED LANES RISKING CYCLISTS’ LIVES

The Greens’ Bill would require cars to leave a one-metre minimum passing distance ­between them and bikes if under 60kmh, and 1.5m for higher speeds.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says his party is likely to support the change and it went through the Legislative ­Council on Wednesday. But the government, which supports only a public education campaign, is expected to vote it down when the Bill heads to the Legislative Assembly.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says his party is likely to support the change. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“Our real issue is getting people to culturally change and actually respect one another on the roads,” Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan said.

Victoria is the only Australian state without minimum passing distances.

Cyclists said they regularly felt bullied on the road and it was time for Victoria to have the same laws as the rest of the country.