JOLENE OGLE
As Transport Minister Scott Emerson announced new road laws this week, Noosa cyclists told Noosa Today they were “sick of being treated as second class citizens”.
Under the new laws, which come into force on April 7, cyclists will face the same penalties as motorists and must share the same rules.
Mr Emerson said the two-year trial of the new laws would encourage better sharing of the road between motorists and cyclists, as well as increasing road safety.
“Tragically, 13 cyclists were killed on Queensland roads in 2013, so action was needed,” Mr Emerson said.
The new laws will require motorists to allow a minimum of one metre when passing cyclists, and a minimum of a metre-and-a-half when the speed limit is over 60km/h.
The new rules will also allow motorists to cross centre lines and painted traffic islands to pass cyclists, if safe to do so.
Mr Emerson said fines for cyclists doing the wrong thing would be increased to the same level as motorists.
“Up until now, there have been different fines for motorists and cyclists for the same offence,” he said.
“No matter the number of wheels, whether two, four or more, the rules are the same now and now the fines are too.”
The new laws come amid recent shocking footage of a cyclist being deliberately mowed down and another rider violently colliding with a taxi door that has been seen nationwide.
Local cyclists have added to the ongoing feud between cyclists and motorists.
In a letter to the editor, a Noosa man said he was knocked off his bicycle and left with a sprained wrist, injured hip, broken helmet and damaged bike, when riding on Noosa Parade last week.
The man said he was appalled there is no bicycle facility on Noosa Parade, what he considers a popular cycling route used by people of all ages.
