Postby il padrone » Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:55 pm
Full text of the Saturday Telegraph's loopy report (lots of photos of cyclists about Sydney were included, with all sorts of allegations of speeding):
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay orders full review of penalties as part of an investigation into a licence system for cyclists
Ashlee Mullany & Andrew Clennell
The Daily Telegraph
October 24, 201411:00PM
PENALTIES for cyclists who flout the law will be reviewed by the NSW government, after a special investigation has revealed bike riders are clocking more than 30km/h over the speed limit on the city’s roads and footpaths.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay has ordered a full review of penalties as part of the government’s investigation into a licence system for cyclists.
The Saturday Telegraph clocked dozens of cyclists speeding over the limit on Sydney’s roads, and others going over the advised 10km/h limit on shared pedestrian paths, despite warnings from police and the Pedestrian Council to slow down.
“We’re behind other states aligning cyclists’ penalties with that of cars,” Mr Gay told The Saturday Telegraph.
“At the moment in NSW it just doesn’t add up.”
SATURDAY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORT BELOW
The review comes as reckless cyclists are openly flouting speed limits using a GPS phone app to compete with each other to clock the fastest times on different segments of NSW roads.
The Strava app is used by professional athletes to train for competitions, but many are using it to race each other on stretches known as the “Oxford Dash”, the “Foveaux Drop” and “Heartbreak Hill”.
Record holders, known as “kings of the mountain” have clocked speeds up to 64km/h in residential parts of Rose Bay, 72km/h on the “V8 straight” at Homebush and 67km/h on the “No Brakes” stretch on Campbell Pde at Bondi Beach.
Speed tests conducted this week revealed cyclists were ignoring advised speed limits on shared pathways and roads at four notorious spots around Sydney, including a footpath outside Fort Street Public School at Millers Point, Pyrmont Bridge and Centennial Park.
The Pedestrian Council of Australia is calling on the Baird government to make the advised 10km/h speed limit on shared pathways enforceable and to force riders to take out compulsory third-party insurance.
“Our shared pathways have been overtaken by the Lycra Lunatics,” council chief Harold Scruby said.
“They’re trying to beat yesterday’s time.”
NSW riders risk copping a fine of only $67 for “furious” or “negligent” riding, which can include speeding or using a phone while riding.
“As part of investigating a licensing system for cyclists, I’ve already asked my department to do a full review of penalties,” Mr Gay said.
“Cyclists can create mayhem by running red lights, causing cars to swerve and hit other cars and pedestrians.”
Mr Scruby said council rangers should be given the power to enforce cycling offences on shared pathways.
During a police operation in August, officers stopped 151 cyclists in a day, including 76 for not wearing a helmet, 31 who ran red lights and 17 caught riding on footpaths.
“Those who are riding in an unsafe manner can expect to be prosecuted,” said Inspector Phil Brooks from the Traffic and Highway Patrol.
“Ten cyclists have died on NSW roads this year, and police will continue to ensure the roads are shared safely.”
SPECIAL REPORT: MENACES CREATE A CYCLE OF FEAR
THEY are the lycra louts making a mockery of the law — running red lights, speeding and using their phones as they menace pedestrians on Sydney’s roads and pathways.
Dozens of badly behaved and simply stupid cyclists were spotted riding on roads and shared pathways around Sydney this week.
Among them was one cyclist who was spotted holding his lunch in one hand and mobile in the other, with his helmet undone, while others were seen running red lights all over the city.
The Saturday Telegraph witnessed cyclists routinely speeding on the road at Centennial Park and the footpath at Pyrmont Bridge, where there is an advised limit of 10km/h, and being reckless on Anzac Bridge.
Cyclists reached speeds of up to 40km/h as they raced round a blind corner on the Rozelle side of the shared footpath on Anzac Bridge.
The Saturday Telegraph recorded the speeds of six cyclists negotiating the bend between 4.30pm and 5pm.
They averaged about 30km/h, on the bend with the highest speed recorded at 40km/h.
At Centennial Park, 19 cyclists were clocked riding over the 30km/h limit imposed on motorists, with some recording speeds of up to 38km/h and 42km/h.
Outside the Fort St Public School in Millers Point it is a dangerous mix of students, cyclists and speed, with one rider clocking 45km/h during school pick-up time.
“It is the speed they go and we get abuse (from them),” mum Kelly Larter said. “It’s bad enough for adults, but these are kids.”
On Pyrmont Bridge, dozens of cyclists weaved between pedestrians, travelling at speeds of up to 25km/h.
Two men were seen riding without a helmet, a courier was clocked riding at 24km/h, and a man knocked a woman’s purse while riding at 20km/h.
Entering Pyrmont Bridge from Sussex St, a cyclist yelled at a pedestrian after he knocked the cyclist travelling at 20km/h just after 6pm.
None of the cyclists seen speeding was spoken to by rangers, given the 10km/h limit on shared paths is only an advised speed.
“All we can do is ask them to slow down,” said one ranger, who did not want to be named.
Riders caught speeding or using a phone can face a fine of $67, according to police.
Originally published as Cracking down on the ‘lycra lunatics’
Mandatory helmet law?
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
