News reporting of cyclists and cycling infrastructure was relatively limited this week.
On Thursday, The Herald Sun reported that a cyclist had been hit by a car in the inner Melbourne suburb of Thornbury. The 26-year-old rider was travelling on Normanby Ave in the bike lane when a motorist turned across his path while trying to enter Anderson Road. The driver of the car struck the rider and then proceeded to flee the scene of the accident.
The rider sustained minor-injuries and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Earlier in the week Tweed Daily News reported two cyclists had been hit in Tweed Heads South. A 47-year-old man and 40-year-old women were hit by a car while cycling near Dry Dock Road. The woman was taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries while the man sustained cuts to his head.
As the road toll continues to rise this year, Queensland Police took it upon themselves to remind cyclists that police would be fining riders for offences under the Transport Operations Regulation Act.
On the 22nd an article was posted to the Queensland public relations website myPolice titled “Road rules refresher for cyclists”.
“Cyclists can be issued traffic fines for riding through a red light, using a mobile phone, or failing to keep one hand on the handlebars are among the most common traffic offences. Always use your common sense, obey the road rules, and remember to regularly check your surroundings and the location of vehicles around you” the statement said.
The article states that while motorists may receive fines for failing to pass cyclists at a safe distance, “it is important to remember that bicycles are much smaller than cars and trucks, so they are harder to see.”
On Friday, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported that a woman had been hit by a bicycle and knocked to the ground on the Ocean Pathway at Tugan. The woman is now lobbying the Gold Coast City Council to enforce a cycling speed limit on paths and designated bike lanes, fining cyclists for what in her view is an unacceptable risk to public safety.
“It is a pity that some inconsiderate cyclists are putting pedestrians in danger through their irresponsible behaviour. I do believe this particular cyclist needs to take responsibility for this incident” The Bulletin quoted local Councillor Gail O’Neill as stating.
In other news, The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that community members of Conjola Park on the South Coast of News South Wales were banding together to plan for reconstruction following the devesting fires over December and January.
The Conjola Community Recovery Association is lobbying local council to support plans to construct a memorial garden, barbecue facilities and accessible parkland in fire affected areas.
Plans for the reconstruction also include a six-kilometre bikeway to follow the shoreline of Lake Conjola and travel through the Narrawallee Nature Reserve. The bikeway is seen as an opportunity to draw tourists back to the region and is planned to be modelled after the Darebin Yarra Trail Link.
Pedalling for Change 