{VIC} TAC: A simple question (sort of)

cfsmtb said:

The TAC Road Safety site has sections pertaining to Parents, Schools, Older Drivers, Motorcyclists and Fleet.
http://www.tacsafety.com.au/

Virtually all the bicycle relevant information on the site relates to parents instructing their children riding bikes. If there's adult relevant information on this site, please tell me.

Now cyclists *are legally road traffic*, see here if you want the details:
http://www.woj.com.au/australian-road-authority-links/

Cyclists (unfortunately) have their own category on the daily Road stats:
http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/jsp/statistics/roadtollcurrent.do?areaID=25&navID=8

Now the simple point I'm attempting to make is that cyclists *do require* they're own section on the TAC site. It would be virtually a one-stop shop for all of TAC's cycling information and clear a lot of misinformation and confusion people encounter when dealing with road incidents.

A issue worth lobbying for?

I'd say so. Sounds like trawling the TAC for relevant bods to send letters to is in order. Something to do when I get home and can devote more than 30 sec attention slots 🙂

Resound said:

I'd say so. Sounds like trawling the TAC for relevant bods to send letters to is in order. Something to do when I get home and can devote more than 30 sec attention slots 🙂

It's just so simple - now that cycling (on the surface) is now being taken more seriously why can't the 'authorities' show a similar approach to collating information? Been pondering this for the last couple of hours, and a draft letter is taking shape... 😉

cfsmtb said:

It's just so simple - now that cycling (on the surface) is now being
taken more seriously why can't the 'authorities' show a similar
approach to collating information? Been pondering this for the last
couple of hours, and a draft letter is taking shape... 😉

Pls share it, for interstate adoption. Cycling is hidden deep by both
Queensland Transport and Brisbane City Council.

Donga

Donga said:

Pls share it, for interstate adoption. Cycling is hidden deep by both
Queensland Transport and Brisbane City Council.

Realised that when putting together the road authorities/bike rules list for WoJ. (see previous post on this thread) Cycling info is far too piecemeal and it's simply too confusing for people to easily access. I'll let you know how this progresses.

In aus.bicycle on Tue, 6 Jun 2006 15:25:33 +1000

cfsmtb said:

It's just so simple - now that cycling (on the surface) is now being
taken more seriously why can't the 'authorities' show a similar
approach to collating information? Been pondering this for the last
couple of hours, and a draft letter is taking shape... 😉

It's important to push them.

The motorcycle lobby groups are pushing for motorcycles to be counted
separately to cars as part of them being seen differently to cars. as
well as them getting money properly targetted.

The more stats they have that have two wheelers separate the better!

When I become dictator, road laws and rego/insurance costs will be
based on the amount of damage a vehicle can do. So the ones that can
do the least damage get the most funding and right of way 🙂

Zebee

"cfsmtb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Resound said:

I'd say so. Sounds like trawling the TAC for relevant bods to send
letters to is in order. Something to do when I get home and can devote
more than 30 sec attention slots 🙂

It's just so simple - now that cycling (on the surface) is now being
taken more seriously why can't the 'authorities' show a similar
approach to collating information? Been pondering this for the last
couple of hours, and a draft letter is taking shape... 😉

--
cfsmtb

A quickie email. I'm offering it for thoughts and amendments and stuff
before it's sent.

**************************************************

To whosoever reads the email,

After looking through the TAC website for information regarding cycling it
became apparent that there isn’t any centralised point where this sort of
information can be found. You’ve produced sections aimed at a number of
different road using groups, including motorcyclists so you’re clearly
addressing as wide a section of the community as possible which is great,
but this is unfortunately one glaring omission.

There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads brought about
partly by recent rises in fuel prices. Cyclists as road users are
particularly vulnerable and the level of misconception regarding the rights
and responsibilities of cyclists by both cyclists and other road users
exacerbates this vulnerability and results in impatience and dangerous
practices from all groups.

Given that you are an organisation which is a recognised authority on road
use and which is likely to be referred to by many people seeking information
on road use, it would be fantastic if you could offer some information of
pertinent regulations and best practices when using bicycles as transport.
There are a number of sources of this sort of information with regards to
vehicular cycling such as Bicycle Victoria and the Wheels of Justice group
who are perhaps not as well known as yourselves but who I’m sure would be
more than happy to help you compile this sort of information. Certainly
their websites ( http://www.bv.com.au/
http://www.woj.com.au/australian-road-authority-links/ ) contain a wealth of
information. While this does of course mean that this information is readily
available, it is perhaps not as easy to find nor are these groups as closely
associated with best road use practices as yourselves.

Please consider adding a dedicated section for cyclists as road users to
your website and other published material.

Regards,

Resound said:

A quickie email. I'm offering it for thoughts and amendments and stuff
before it's sent.

**************************************************
Snippity

I like it :-) You're not angling for another house red are you?
--
Cheers | ~~ __@
Euan | ~~ _-\<,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)

Resound said:

A quickie email. I'm offering it for thoughts and amendments and stuff
before it's sent.

**************************************************

To whosoever reads the email,

After looking through the TAC website for information regarding cycling it
became apparent that there isn’t any centralised point where this sort of
information can be found. You’ve produced sections aimed at a number of
different road using groups, including motorcyclists so you’re clearly
addressing as wide a section of the community as possible which is great,
but this is unfortunately one glaring omission.

There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads brought about
partly by recent rises in fuel prices. Cyclists as road users are
particularly vulnerable and the level of misconception regarding the rights
and responsibilities of cyclists by both cyclists and other road users
exacerbates this vulnerability and results in impatience and dangerous
practices from all groups.

Given that you are an organisation which is a recognised authority on road
use and which is likely to be referred to by many people seeking information
on road use, it would be fantastic if you could offer some information of
pertinent regulations and best practices when using bicycles as transport.
There are a number of sources of this sort of information with regards to
vehicular cycling such as Bicycle Victoria and the Wheels of Justice group
who are perhaps not as well known as yourselves but who I’m sure would be
more than happy to help you compile this sort of information. Certainly
their websites ( http://www.bv.com.au/
http://www.woj.com.au/australian-road-authority-links/ ) contain a wealth of
information. While this does of course mean that this information is readily
available, it is perhaps not as easy to find nor are these groups as closely
associated with best road use practices as yourselves.

Please consider adding a dedicated section for cyclists as road users to
your website and other published material.

Regards,

Brilliant! Adds extra structure to the basic points I wish to make. Can we utilise this as a basic template for a potential campaign?

cfsmtb said:

Brilliant! Adds extra structure to the basic points I wish to make. Can we utilise this as a basic template for a potential campaign?

Might also be worth creating a hook into TAC thinking by way of a reference to their mission and other corporate words they have out their in the public domain.

TAC said:

The TAC's mission is to reduce road trauma and its impact on the lives of accident victims in a caring, efficient and financially responsible manner

They can achieve that mission better by not ignoring cyclists.

TAC also state

TAC said:

The organisation pays benefits to people injured in an accident as a:
driver,
passenger,
pedestrian,
motorcyclist, or
cyclist.

Maybe a bottom-line impact can be referenced. TAC are very sensitive about appropriate use of their funds so highlight that they are ignoring a key part of their accident prevention mandate as well as future $ paid out.

But I must say that Resounds words hit the spot in neither being confrontational nor wishy-washy.

cfsmtb said:

Brilliant! Adds extra structure to the basic points I wish to make. Can we utilise this as a basic template for a potential campaign?

It's public domain. Go nuts. Although (being picky) I'd change "There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads brought about partly by recent rises in fuel prices." to "There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads, partly due to recent rises in fuel prices.". Or something. It reads as a bit of a non-sequitur so I'm going to fiddle. Oh, and if Euan really feels the need to stand me a glass of red, I won't complain although that wasn't the intent 🙂

Resound said:

It's public domain. Go nuts. Although (being picky) I'd change "There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads brought about partly by recent rises in fuel prices." to "There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads, partly due to recent rises in fuel prices.". Or something. It reads as a bit of a non-sequitur so I'm going to fiddle. Oh, and if Euan really feels the need to stand me a glass of red, I won't complain although that wasn't the intent 🙂

Oh, ok. We'll save some of the Salt & Pepper Squid in a doggy bag for you. 😄

Ok, draft letter below. Another reason why I was considering this topic was that the recent Victoria Police Road Policing Strategy has SFA reference to cyclists as road users.

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?a=internetBridgingPage&Media_ID=6038

There's one reference in all..

**************************

Draft letter

Dear ______________

After looking through the TAC Road Safety website for information regarding cycling it became apparent that there isn't any centralised point where this sort of information can be found. You've produced sections aimed at a number of different road using groups, including motorcyclists so you're clearly addressing as wide a section of the community as possible which is great, but this is unfortunately one glaring omission.

There are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads, partly due to recent rises in fuel prices. Cyclists as road users are particularly vulnerable and the level of misconception regarding the rightsand responsibilities of cyclists by both cyclists and other road users exacerbates this vulnerability and results in impatience and dangerous practices from all groups.

Given that you are an organisation which is a recognised authority on road use and which is likely to be referred to by many people seeking information on road use, it would be fantastic if you could offer some information of pertinent regulations and best practices when using bicycles as transport.

The TAC's mission is to reduce road trauma and its impact on the lives of accident victims in a caring, efficient and financially responsible manner, Including a new cycling section, as bicycles are legally road vehicles, would further enhance your organisations objectives.

There are a number of sources of this sort of information with regards to vehicular cycling such as Bicycle Victoria and the Wheels of Justice group who are perhaps not as well known as yourselves but who I'm sure would be more than happy to help you compile this sort of information.

Certainly their websites ( http://www.bv.com.au/ and
http://www.woj.com.au/australian-road-authority-links/ ) contain a wealth of
information.

Also State government organisations, such as VicRoads and Department of Infrastructure already have existing cycling information that would readily fit it with a new section on the TAC Road Safety website.

While this does of course mean that this information is readily available, it is perhaps not as easy to find nor are these groups as closely associated with best road use practices as yourselves.

Please consider adding a dedicated section for cyclists as road users to your website and other published material.

Yours sincerely,

[censored]

Nice 🙂

Now to dig up the people to send it to. They do have a general conact email address, but it's laways nice to have the relevant person to send it to personally.

Resound said:

Nice 🙂

Now to dig up the people to send it to. They do have a general conact email address, but it's laways nice to have the relevant person to send it to personally.

Hrmmm, how about TAC partnerships?
http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/content/NavigationController.do?areaID=15

But is that simply for footy clubs or benevolent org's?

Or we just stick to the general frontdoor approach?
http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/contactus/contactus.jsp

cfsmtb said:

Hrmmm, how about TAC partnerships?
http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/content/NavigationController.do?areaID=15

But is that simply for footy clubs or benevolent org's?

Or we just stick to the general frontdoor approach?
http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/contactus/contactus.jsp

That was where I went.

Resound said:

Nice 🙂

Now to dig up the people to send it to. They do have a general conact email address, but it's laways nice to have the relevant person to send it to personally.

Minister responsible for TAC: John Lenders (pollies always open to public opinion pressure)

TAC Chairman: James MacKenzie

TAC CEO: Paul O'Connor

Resound said:

It's public domain. Go nuts. Although (being picky) I'd change "There
are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads brought about partly
by recent rises in fuel prices." to "There are an increasing number of
cyclists on our roads, partly due to recent rises in fuel prices.". Or
something.

Resound

I think that the Or something is:

"and because it is so much bloofy fun!"

quote='PiledHigher'Resound said:

It's public domain. Go nuts. Although (being picky) I'd change "There
are an increasing number of cyclists on our roads brought about partly
by recent rises in fuel prices." to "There are an increasing number of
cyclists on our roads, partly due to recent rises in fuel prices.". Or
something.

Resound

I think that the Or something is:

"and because it is so much bloofy fun!"[/QUOTE]

Well, yeah, but you only discover that *after* you start doing it. It seems that for a lot of people (myself included) that came as an unexpected bonus.

Page up on WoJ now:

Get cycling on the agenda: TAC Road Safety site
http://www.woj.com.au/2006/06/07/get-cycling-on-the-agenda-tac-road-safety-site/

🙂