The road rule drivers want banned
<p>Tens of thousands of Australians have signed a petition to have a contentious road rule overturned.</p>
<p>A<a href="https://www.change.org/p/compulsory-single-file-for-cyclists" target="_blank"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Change.org petition</strong></span></a> started by Drivers For Registration of Cyclists is calling for Australian cyclists to be made to ride in a single file, rather than the current law that allows them to ride two across.</p>
<p>“We, the undersigned, respectfully call on the Transport Ministers of each and every State in Australia, and each State Cabinet, to implement Compulsory Single File for all cyclists who ride in groups, regardless of whether a bike lane exists or not,” the petition reads.</p>
<p>Under the law now, Australian cyclists are allowed to ride alongside one other rider, as long as they are travelling within 1.5m of each other.</p>
<p>However, for the 82,000 people who have signed the petition, the rule creates a hazard, particularly in conjunction with the new rules requiring motorists to leave minimum gaps when passing cyclists.</p>
<p>The rule requires drivers passing a cyclist travelling in the same direction to leave a minimum gap of one metre between the car and bike when the speed limit is 60km/h or less and 1.5m when it is higher than 60km/h.</p>
<p><img width="427" height="320" src="https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/cea55579d306ca171d976383a5127c4a?width=650" alt="The petition calls for cyclists to be required to ride in a single line at all times. Picture: Drivers for registration of cyclists/Facebook" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p>
<p>According the petition, titled Compulsory Single File for Cyclists, these rules mean that drivers can be forced to swerve into other lanes to avoid the riders.</p>
<p>“We are tired of taxpayer dollars being lavished on expensive road systems with designated bike lanes, only to see cyclists continue to ride 2 or more abreast, spilling into main traffic lanes and impeding traffic flow,” the petition reads.</p>
<p>“We are tired of the safety hazards such cyclists present, and we are tired of being told we’re bad drivers if we complain about this problem.”</p>
<p>Bicycle NSW communications director Kim Lavender told news.com.au that riding two abreast is safer than a single file.</p>
<p>“If you are riding two abreast on a road it means you are taking up less length on the road so it is easier to for cars to overtake,” Ms Lavender said.</p>
<p>“It reduces it down to two metres of overtaking as opposed to three or more if riders were in a single file.”</p>
<p>She said the two abreast rule also means riders can be seen more easily by motorists.</p>
<p>Ms Lavender said the reason some drivers may be frustrated by the rule is they don’t fully understand the reason it is in place.</p>
<p>“For some part I think it might be lack of education about why the rule is there in the first place,” she said.</p>
<p>“It is there for a reason and it is actually in place to reduce hazards on the road.”</p>
<p>“I think these drivers need to try and understand why people are riding bikes in the first place, the benefits that come along with that and how it positively impacts society,” Ms Lavender said.</p>
<p>“Riding has physical benefits but it means that there is less congestion on the road and on public transport.”</p>
