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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Pedal power wants speed limits dropped to 30kmph

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PEDAL Power’s John Armstrong says the ACT government’s response to the sharp spike in cycling injury rates was shameful.

“The government could not ignore the findings of the ACT Chief Health Officer’s Report 2014, who found the bike injury rates in Canberra during 2012 were twice the national average. Nor could it ignore the growing safety concerns of the 87,000 Canberrans who cycle the territory’s road and paths in a typical week,” John said.

“In simple human terms this injury rate amounts to 110 bike crashes, one person died, 26 were admitted to hospital and 83 people required medical treatment. And this does not take account of the many unreported cycling injuries that have occurred since 2012.”

Pedal Power has called on the government to immediately implement a trial of lower speed limits in all school zones, town centres and residential areas which have high levels of pedestrian and cycling activity in close proximity to shared paths.

“The government could introduce a 30 kph speed limit in all these areas at the stroke of a pen and save lives and reduce the overall accident rate. The impact of such a decision on the travelling time of motorists would be minimal.”

In addition, Pedal Power has also called on the government to reconsider its budget priorities and set aside sufficient funds to provide separate dedicated bike lanes in the CBD, Turner and Braddon – areas where the Chief Medical Officer says the most cycling accidents were occurring.

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7 Responses to Pedal power wants speed limits dropped to 30kmph

Chris says: 26 June 2014 at 10:18 am

If the police see a motorbike travelling at night without lights they do something about it. But I see bicycles without lights every evening in Braddon, Turner and Reid. We need our road rules enforced. Incidently, many of these same cyclists wear black clothing to add to the problem.

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Stanza Matic says: 27 June 2014 at 5:37 pm

No way I’m wearing high-viz as such, but I do select from the brighter sections of my wardrobe while about to go on a bike. Orange is timeless.

But I am a wimp and stick to the paths 90% of the time anyway. There would be an increase in bike riding if more separated paths existed.

Our society favours the sedentary and lazy.

Reply
Luke Warrener says: 4 July 2014 at 11:23 am

Cyclists demand and demand let them start paying annual licenses and start obeying traffic regulations (like stopping at red traffic lights)(and not riding three abreast on residential roads) then perhaps people would pay them more respect

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John Griffiths says: 4 July 2014 at 11:48 am

G’day Luke.

I’m sorry to hear you think that not wanting to die or be maimed is an unreasonable request.

As a cyclist who doesn’t want to die you’ll be thrilled to know I do in fact have a drivers licence (every ten years, not sure where your annual licences come from, are you on some sort of driving ban?) and I pay rego on a car.

When I ride my bike however I cause vastly less damage to roads (it’s a square power function based on weight, a 1 tonne car does 100 times the damage of a 100kg bike and rider) and I free a parking spot up for you in town.

I await your thanks and forbearance in not murdering me.

Cheers,

John

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