Minister for Justice, Shane Rattenbury, has announced that for two years, from the 1st of November motorists will be required to provide a minimum distance when overtaking bicycles as part of a trial of new road safety laws in the ACT.
“A Legislative Assembly inquiry into vulnerable road users last year identified a range of measures that could be introduced in the ACT to improve safety for cyclists and other road users,” Mr. Rattenbury commented “One recommendation was the introduction of a minimum overtaking law (also known as the ‘metre matters’ rule) that requires motorists to provide a minimum distance of 1 metre when overtaking a cyclist in speed zones at or below 60km/h and 1.5 metres in speed zones above 60km/h”
Amy Gillett Foundation interim chief executive officer Belinda Clark said the trial will make bike riding safer in the ACT. “Amending the road rules to mandate a minimum overtaking distance will help reduce crashes between motor vehicles and bike riders by changing behaviour,” Ms Clark said “A metre matters because it provides a practical measurement for drivers when overtaking bike riders. As Australia’s leading bike safety organisation, our mission is to achieve zero bike fatalities in Australia and this move will make a difference in achieving that goal.This trial is about sharing the road safely together. A metre matters on all roads in the ACT, regardless of whether there are bicycle lanes or not.”
Ms Clark went on to explain that the ACT has joined Queensland as a leader in cycling safety, strengthening its position as a bicycle friendly city, and we congratulate the ACT government for implementing the new road safety laws. We look forward to a successful trial so that the amended road rules stay in place after the trial ends in November 2017”
“To enable drivers to provide the minimum overtaking distances on narrow roads or roads with narrow lanes, motorists will be allowed to cross centre lines, straddle lane-lines and drive on painted islands, provided the driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic and that it is safe to do so,” Mr. Rattenbury commented “On busy roads and narrow roads, cyclists can help motorists out by riding to the left of the road or bicycle lane, and riding single file,”
Rattenbury went on to explain that the overtaking law will be accompanied by new laws that allow riders to remain on their bicycles when crossing at pedestrian crossings.