[Greens-Media] Greens push through bike safety bill in response to fatalities

[Walker, Nadine]

Greens push through bike safety bill in response to fatalities
Media statement, Wednesday, 15 October 2014. 

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren will tomorrow urgently bring forward debate for her Road Traffic (Keeping Safe Distances from Bicycles) Amendment Bill after a recent cycling death has demonstrated 'how critical it is that we act immediately to protect vulnerable road users'. 

"I welcome increased funding for bike paths by the State Government, but this infrastructure will take time and money to implement, we need to act now before more lives are lost. 

"My Bill stands as a crucial step towards increasing cyclist safety and raising awareness on sharing our roads successfully. It can be implemented far quicker than bike paths can be built and will offer peace of mind to cyclists. 

"In response to the Amy Gillett Foundation's national campaign for safe distances, my Road Traffic (Keeping Safe Distances from Bicycles) Amendment Bill will ensure that on roads where the speed limit is 60km/h or lower, drivers of vehicles should leave a one metre distance when near a cyclist. Where the speed limit is above 60km/h, the distance should be 1.5 metres.

"More than 870,000 cyclists rode into the CBD from January to March this year - that is a huge volume of Western Australians that deserve increased protection on our roads. Both Queensland and the ACT have recognised the need for further protection and have implemented metre passing trials, it is time we exercised some responsibility here."

Note to editor: Ms MacLaren will meet with media and cycling advocates on the Steps of Parliament at 9:30am tomorrow to launch the debate. The Bill has already been read in, so debate will commence at 10:15am. 

For comment: Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC
Mobile 0403 721 951

Media liaison: Nadine Walker
Mobile 0449 189 195