Post date: May 20, 2013 5:59:32 AM
Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
· Important Reminder
· Photos from Orroral Road
· A Meter Matters
· Racing this Week
· Race Reports
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton.
It is important to remember that riders should keep to the left on roads. On the Cooks Hill Rd race it was noticed that some riders were straying over to the wrong side of the road. Even though the roads were narrow and most of the time there was no centre line, it is important to remember that we must obey the road rules and keep to the left.
Our use of these roads for racing depends on the goodwill of the shire councils and any complaints from local residents about cyclists not riding safely could result in the shire withholding future race approvals.
James Meredith has posted some photos from Saturday’s Orroral Rd race at the following Facebook group page;
http://www.facebook.com/groups/531285150262178/
You will need to login in with your Facebook account to view the images.
Bernie Crowe has suggested that we lobby our local member to call for a legislated minimum of 1 meter for vehicles overtaking bicycles.
A suggested template is below.
Where: Gravel Pit, Old Federal Highway - Shingle Hill Way.
When: Starting 1:30 pm
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
Old Federal Highway - Shingle Hill Way - Lake George x 2
Race Director: Linda Stals
Contact: Email linda.stals@anu.edu.au Ph (02) 6292 3771
Help Needed on Sunday: Linda will need 3 turn marshals, Lead and Trail cars and finish line helpers. Anyone who is prepared to assist, please contact her before the weekend.
38 riders and 10 officials made their way to Orroral Valley for one of the toughest races on our calendar. The weather was favourable with light winds and sunny if somewhat cool conditions.
Welcome to three new riders Claire Aubrey, Karen Foat and Tim Rizvanov who obviously had no idea how tough the Orroral course is.
The course used turns at Boboyan Road and the former tracking station car park. No longer do we venture onto Boboyan Road to Glendale. So the out and back course saw ABC&D head off to Boboyan Road while GE&F headed to the tracking station.
The course took a toll on the riders pretty much straight away. By the time riders returned to the start point many were riding on their own. Three A graders stayed together till the last lap but had split up over the last leg to finish Steve Crispin first, then Paul Ateyo followed by Tom Hartley.
The finishing chute marshals were not challenged with groups rushing them. B grade was taken out by the tandem of Mankewich and Carruthers, followed a little later by Michael Hanslip and Michael Carr.
C grade was taken out by new rider Claire Aubrey who put herself up from D grade and then proceeded to attack the group for a great solo win. Alain Arbaut and Anthony Pratt took out the placings. D grade had the biggest group but it also split up with Ian Shaw taking the prize followed by Kathryn Passalis and Baden White. Sue Frost took the honours in F grade from Ian Morton with Phill Coulton puncturing and walking over the finish line from the wrong direction. G grade was a fight between Leon Horsnell and John I'ons who finally finished in that order.
Thanks to the many marshals: Jason Parkes, James Meredith, Bruce Jones, Merilyn Bassett, Christophe Barbaret, Sue Powell, Denis Jessop, Graham Hendrie and Henry Beaverstock. Also thanks to those others who volunteered to marshal but were not needed on the day.
Thanks to Rob Diamond for Race Refereeing.
Shane Rattenbury,
Member for Molonglo,
PO Box 1020, Canberra, ACT 2601
Email: rattenbury@parliament.act.gov.au
Dear Mr Rattenbury,
Protection for 4 million Australians
Call for legislation of 1 metre minimum when overtaking bicycle riders
In 2011, 4 million people rode a bicycle in Australia, almost 20% of Australians.
The government is committed to doubling the number of people cycling by 2016 – which is great for health, leisure, the environment, congestion and community wellbeing.
But with 35 bicycle riders killed and 9,577 injured in the same year – the human trauma costs of cycling in Australia are unacceptable.
Australian Road Rules are failing bicycle riders.
Distance when overtaking bicycle riders
The existing Australian Road Rules including Rule 144, do not protect bicycle riders when being overtaken by drivers. Drivers are permitted to make judgement calls regarding a ‘sufficient distance to avoid a collision’.
ARR 144—Keeping a safe distance when overtaking
A driver overtaking a vehicle:
(a) must pass the vehicle at a sufficient distance to avoid a collision with the vehicle or obstructing the path of the vehicle; and
(b) must not return to the marked lane or line of traffic where the vehicle is travelling until the driver is a sufficient distance past the vehicle to avoid a collision with the vehicle or obstructing the path of the vehicle.
The tragic death of 25 year old, Richard Pollett, highlights the inadequacies of this regulation. Richard was riding his bicycle when he was killed after being struck by a cement truck as the driver attempted to overtake him. The truck driver’s lawyer said the driver was under "the honest and reasonable belief" that there was enough room on the road to safely overtake him. The truck driver was acquitted.
Bill to introduce a minimum overtaking distance of 1 Metre
As a Member of Parliament, I call on you to lead the introduction of a Bill into your State or Territory Parliament for the amendment of the Road Rules and to lobby for the Australian Road Rules to be updated to set an improved national model. The amendment must introduce a regulation requiring a minimum of 1 metre when a motor vehicle overtakes a bicycle rider.
A minimum overtaking distance of 1 metre provides absolute and practical clarity. It:
Recognises bicycle riders are physically vulnerable and need the protection of space
Provides drivers with a clear, easily recognised measure when overtaking bicycle riders – otherwise they must slow down and wait
Reduces the risk of bicycle rider-driver crashes, and bicycle rider crashes resulting from being side-swiped (but not hit) by motor vehicles
Is enforceable; it allows a law enforcement officer or witness to readily observe a driver’s actions
Would give consideration for a graded approach for higher speeds and very low speeds, though standardised legislation is more readily understood
Will improve safety for bicycle riders
Acknowledges bicycle riders are legitimate road users
Will ultimately reduce bicycle rider fatalities and serious injuries.
This law already exists in countries in Europe and in 27 states in the US. The law is practical, enforceable, will reduce serious injuries and will save bicycle riders’ lives.
Everyone has the right to ride safely for work and play.
For more information, please go to www.amygillett.org.au
http://www.amygillett.org.au/a-metre-matters
Yours sincerely