Whether for recreation, fitness or the daily commute, more people are riding bicycles on NSW roads. As the weather warms up October is a great time for bicycle riding with the Biketober Business Challenge and Ride2Work Day.
The Biketober Business Challenge is presented by Get Healthy at Work, a NSW Government program that aims to create healthy workplaces and improve the health of working adults in NSW. Businesses and riders compete to see who can encourage the most people to ride bikes for transport, health and fun!
It is not too late to participate with the chance to win great prizes. For more information and registration visit www.lovetoride.net/nsw Ride2 Work Day on Wednesday 21 October helps people who have never commuted by bike before to give it a go, and allows regular riders to stay motivated and encourage their work mates to get involved. You can register for Ride2Work Day at www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/ride2work/ride2work-day
It is also a good time to focus on bicycle safety. On average, nine bicycle riders are killed and more than 1900 seriously injured in NSW each year. Bicycle riders represent about 2.5 per cent of total road fatalities and about 16 per cent of serious injuries. Drivers, bicycle riders and pedestrians all need to go together safely. We should all respect each other’s space and ensure that everyone stays safe.
Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and motorcycle riders. Drivers must watch out for bicycle riders, as they are smaller than cars and harder to see. Bicycle riders also have the right, like other vehicles, to travel on roads and be shown courtesy and care by other road users.
At times, bicycle riders may need the full width of a lane to ride safely because of rough road edges and gravel. Be prepared to slow down and allow the rider to travel away from the kerb. Bicycle riders are allowed to ride two abreast (side by side).
In NSW, drivers must give bicycle riders at least one metre of space when passing. The Minimum Passing Distance rule helps ensure that bicycle riders and motorists remain safe when sharing our roads.
Drivers who pass a bicycle rider must allow a distance of at least:
• 1 metre when the speed limit is 60km/h or less
• 1.5 metres when the speed limit is more than 60km/h
If drivers cannot pass a bicycle rider safely, they should slow down and wait until it is safe to pass the rider, leaving the minimum distance. To help drivers provide the minimum distance, some exemptions to the road rules apply details are available at www.gotogether.transport.nsw.gov.au
Bicycle riders are required by law to wear an approved helmet securely fitted and fastened. In NSW there are no exemptions from wearing an approved bicycle helmet. Research shows that helmets reduce head injuries by up to 74 per cent in crashes with motor vehicles. A bicycle helmet that is not correctly fitted and fastened does not provide enough protection in a crash.
By choosing cycleways, shared paths and quieter streets, bicycle riders can plan safer journeys. However, even experienced riders are exposed and vulnerable on roads and risk serious injury or death if involved in a crash. In addition to a helmet, bicycle riders should always wear bright, reflective clothing to improve visibility.
Bicycle riders are subject to the same road rules as other vehicles and must obey the laws on traffic signals and street signs. However, drivers need to be aware that special road rules apply to bicycle riders, including the use of transit lanes, turning when in roundabouts and riding on footpaths.
Improving bicycle rider safety is simply a matter of respecting each other’s space and following the rules to ensure that everyone stays safe.
