Some rules for thought

08-08.-2005, 08:41 PM	#1
Twig Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 16	Some rules for thought I've heard two rules recently which are interesting. The first one seems fairly obvious - but if even the US doesn't make helmets compulsory, makes me wonder how true this rule is - or rather if it is a tip. 1. You arent allowed to ride with earphones. Makes a fair bit of sense - you can't hear things behind you...but then again, you can't usually anyway. 2. Apparently, and this sounds super unusual - if you ride through a red light, and get caught (obviously), you will be penalised - apparently taking points off your drivers licence...Sounds silly doesn't it? I'm mentioning these for clarification. What are some other ones we may not know about?

08-08.-2005, 09:35 PM

cycleguy2300

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Join Date: Jun 2005

Posts: 9

Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twig

I've heard two rules recently which are interesting. The first one seems fairly obvious - but if even the US doesn't make helmets compulsory, makes me wonder how true this rule is - or rather if it is a tip.

1. You arent allowed to ride with earphones. Makes a fair bit of sense - you can't hear things behind you...but then again, you can't usually anyway.

2. Apparently, and this sounds super unusual - if you ride through a red light, and get caught (obviously), you will be penalised - apparently taking points off your drivers licence...Sounds silly doesn't it?

I'm mentioning these for clarification. What are some other ones we may not know about?

What kind of points do they have on DL anyway? It prob'ly just goes on your driving record.

08-08.-2005, 10:11 PM

kaeotee

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Posts: 18

Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycleguy2300

What kind of points do they have on DL anyway? It prob'ly just goes on your driving record.

I guess if I lose my Drivers Licence I'll have to find that old bike in the shed and ride to work.

Oh............

09-08.-2005, 11:44 AM	#4
Wodge80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 10	Re: Some rules for thought Yes it is strange, however I've heard that for most road infringements on your pushie, you get penalised on your drivers licence, such as demerit points and the likes, as your bike is classified as a vehicle. So you can lose your drivers licence for getting pinged DUI (drink "riding"), but losing your licence doesn't stop you from riding your bike . There has to be some sense to this insanity... I believe the lesson is: don't be irresponsible and infringe the road rules, as a motor vehicle driver or as a bike rider!

09-08.-2005, 12:17 PM

SomeGuy

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Location: Melbourne, Australia

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twig

I think you'll find it varies by state. There has been discussion recently about introducing demerit points for cycling offences, I think that's just a victorian thing.

As for the headphones, I never noticed anything in the road rules prohibiting it. There aren't laws prohibiting radios in cars are there now? Why would they come up with one just for cyclists.

09-08.-2005, 01:14 PM	#6
gclark8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perth (Basso), West Australia Posts: 3,515	Re: Some rules for thought In WA, loseing you licence prhibits you from riding a bike on a road or footpath. And points for bike offences come off your drivers licences, now where's that bell and reflector?? __________________ Cheers, George.

09-08.-2005, 01:47 PM

SomeGuy

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by gclark8

In WA, loseing you licence prhibits you from riding a bike on a road or footpath. And points for bike offences come off your drivers licences, now where's that bell and reflector??

Seems pretty stupid to me. Maybe letting people ride should they lose their liscence would encourage them to stick with that instead of driving. I'd rather have someone speeding, running reds and drink driving on a bike than in a car

09-08.-2005, 05:10 PM

scotty72

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by gclark8

In WA, loseing you licence prhibits you from riding a bike on a road or footpath. And points for bike offences come off your drivers licences, now where's that bell and reflector??

Now, that is the dumbest thing I have heard all day. (I'm a school teacher, so I hear lots of dumb things)

What if you have never had a drivers licence, are you not allowed to ride? What about kids? Banned?

Scotty

10-08.-2005, 12:56 AM

Twig

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeGuy

As for the headphones, I never noticed anything in the road rules prohibiting it. There aren't laws prohibiting radios in cars are there now? Why would they come up with one just for cyclists.

Well, there is one for cars - again, apparently. You aren't allowed to drive with earphones/headphones, because it stops you from hearing say, emergency vehicles and whatnot. So if there is this rule, which i think exists, it makes sense that there is one for bikes as well.

10-08.-2005, 10:13 AM

#10

AzzaC

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Location: Perth, Australia

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by gclark8

In WA, loseing you licence prhibits you from riding a bike on a road or footpath. And points for bike offences come off your drivers licences, now where's that bell and reflector??

Apparently, you are exempt from this rule/law if you use the bike for racing. I for one, have never been stopped or questioned about the lack of reflectors or a bell.

Additionally, the front light on a bicycle has to be a constant light. So, everyone that you see riding at night with the front light flashing, is breaking the law.

In regards to headphones, people who ride around with both headphones on are asking for trouble as it takes away the road sense that hearing provides. I just use the one earphone, that way it provides me with music, reduces the wind noise, and I am also able to hear the traffic approaching from behind.

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10-08.-2005, 04:30 PM	#11
kaeotee Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 18	Re: Some rules for thought What if you've never had a drivers licence? I didn't get mine until I was 25 as I rode a bike so I didn't need it. I know these sorts of laws are brought in to appease the anti cycling brigade, even though they will never be enforced by the police, but what it does mean is if you are in an accident some of the blame may be laid on you because you had an ipod. Personally, I couldn't ride with headphones but I know plenty who do. Edit: Just noticed I asked the same question as Scotty Last edited by kaeotee : 10-08.-2005 at 04:43 PM.

13-08.-2005, 09:02 AM	#12
scot.mcphee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: brisbane qld Posts: 2	Re: Some rules for thought Personally I think that anyone who rides with in-ear headphones is just asking for trouble. It's bad enough on pedestrians - I have had one or two close calls with pedestrians with ear phones who could not hear me coming along the path (bell included). I shudder to think that I could not hear cars and trucks approaching from the rear. Nasty. You could probably ride with open-backed headphones (like the old Sennheisers with yellow foam) as they will let outside sound leak in. Sony make some pairs like that (the "sport" models with the round the back of the neck style plastic bridge for example). As for driver's licences, I am 40 years old and haven't had one since I was about 25. I find it interesting you can lose demerit points for something that doesn't require a licence to ride in the first place. A bit silly really.

13-08.-2005, 02:00 PM

#13

rooman

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzzaC

VICROADS Rules on Lights on Bikes:-

Riding at night
Under the law, the rider of a bicycle must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle or the rider displays:

a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the front of the bicycle; and
a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the rear of the vehicle; and
a red reflector that is clearly visible for at least 50 m from the rear of the bicycle when light is projected onto it by a vehicle's headlight on low beam.

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I think..that the greatest benefit to cyclists would ensue if government were to..gradually signify and produce society's view that cycling is a legitimate form of roadway transportation, open to all on an equal basis of proper skills and responsibilities that are easily attained and exercised.(John Forester)

13-08.-2005, 02:32 PM

#14

gclark8

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Re: Some rules for thought

In WA it goes a little deeper: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/publications/law.html

For example:

Quote:

THE ROAD RULES
The Road Traffic Act and Code

When using a public road, all bicycle riders must obey the same rules as other vehicles such as cars and trucks. The most common rules include those applying to traffic control lights, stop signs, careless and reckless riding, riding under the influence of alcohol, and keep left.

Note: Readers can access a full version of the Road Traffic Code 2000, the Road Traffic Act 1974 and the Vehicle Standards Regulations 2000 at their library or on the State Law Publisher website at www.slp.wa.gov.au/statutes/swans.nsf

Rules applying only to cyclists

In addition to the road rules applying to all vehicles, there are some specific examples that only apply to cyclists. A bicycle rider:

must have at least one hand on the handlebars while in motion.

must wear an approved helmet while in motion (unless exempted).

must not ride within two metres of the rear of a motor vehicle, over a distance of more than 200 metres.

must not hold onto another moving vehicle or be towed by it.

must not ride a bicycle on a freeway or other road that has designated restrictions that prohibit riding.

must not be more than two bicycles abreast on a road. When riding abreast, the two bicycles must be no more than 1.5 metres apart.
Note: this rule does not prevent another cyclist from overtaking.

must use the correct hand signals to turn left or right, and to stop.

Turning left:
fully extend your left arm and hand.

Turning right:
fully extend your right arm and hand.

Stopping:
extend the left arm horizontally, bending upwards at the elbow. Hand should be open with the palm forward.

can use the left lane of a roundabout when turning right, provided he or she gives way to all exiting traffic.

must not ride in a pedestrian mall.

cannot overtake on the left side of a motor vehicle if that motor vehicle is moving and indicating to turn left.
Note: cyclists are permitted to overtake on the left, a line of motor vehicles that are stationary, at locations such as traffic lights.

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13-08.-2005, 05:25 PM

#15

rooman

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Re: Some rules for thought

Quote:

Originally Posted by gclark8

In WA it goes a little deeper: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/publications/law.html

For example:

so much for National Uniformity of Traffic laws and Rules..sheesh....

in Vic you only have to signal a right turn as a cyclists in WA its left turn, stop and right turn..., but I do like this one...
Reporting dangerous or threatening behaviour

It is important that all members of the cycling community report behaviour from other road users that could be considered dangerous or overtly threatening in nature. It could help prevent further problems in the future for other riders. Any troubling incidents should be reported to your local police as soon as possible. If the incident involves a vehicle, it is useful to note the relevant make, model and registration details.

Try this in most other states without a witness, lots of blood and a mangled bike and you get laughed out of the station...they just dont want to know....

that's the whole point...if only our bloody beaurocrats and peak bodies could get their heads together, be consistent, get the message out and actually walk the talk...we wouldnt have half the incidents, injuries, dumb-ass media coverage and road rage incidents we see these days...

GRRRRRRR...calm blue ocean...mmmmmmmmbeer......sure (foot)...

noice gathering at the goat last night to folks...cfsmtb, hope all the notes are legible and the discussion minutes not to moistend by overflow.......

cheers all

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