From the Audax list, please read,
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please read the two messages below.
It regards the acceptance of submissions to the Victorian Government re: the safety of cyclists on the road.
For some of us this is 2,000kms away... But the movement has to start from somewhere!
You may be inspired...
Regards,
Steve Smith
P.S.
Pass on to any other cyclists you may know.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, 10 June 2004 1:58 PM
<email addresses removed>
Subject: Action - road rage an cyclists
Road rage against cyclists (or at the very least a misunderstanding and lack of knowledge of the rights of cyclists on roads), is an area of concern for anyone who rides. Not only for the sake of safety, but also for the sake of reducing the stress of riding, if all road users were aware of cyclists, and their status as legitimate road users.
The email below, initiated by Mark Higginbotham of the Victorian Police Prosecutions Division, identifies an opportunity for any road users, and in the above context specifically cyclist, to confirm that this is an important issue, and that some changes and actions are required.
Please read the email below, respond to Sand Cook (Executive officer of the review), and indicate your opinion on any safety issues related to cyclist,In particular is the issue of minimum distances that vehicles should have to adhere to when passing cyclists. Many of you would have been in a situation of not only being hit, but having the whit's scared out of you by a vehicle passing too close. These close calls do not help to encourage cycling, nor
make it as pleasant an experience that it could be.
Please send in any submission OR at the very least forward this email to AT LEAST 3 other cyclists you know so that they may have the chance to contribute, and get a few stories off their chests.
Go for it, let the Govt know that it is an issue, and we need some changes.
Cheers,
Paul
Subject: From Mark Higginbotham
There is a parliamentary committee looking into law reform that may reduce road rage.
This is an opportunity to improve the status of cyclists on Victorian roads.
I strongly suggest that you all make a submission, urgently, to Sandy Cook, Executive Officer of the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee.
There is a committee meeting being held on the 21/6 and the discussion paper has already been published.
The agenda of this committee will be more difficult to expand very soon. Email: [email protected]
I spoke with her this morning and she has had 5 submissions statewide. This will suggest to the government that it is a non-issue and nothing will happen.
In most of the states of the US and in most of the countries of Europe there are prescribed minimum distances that must exist when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle.
My experience is that impatient drivers who resent the presence of bicycles on roads take chances by forcing their way past when there is insufficient space.
Please tap out an email and send it to Sandy. The committee wants some sense of the measure of the problem of road rage and also to design strategies to reduce it. At the very least let her know, should you agree,that cyclists are commonly the victims of road rage that is an expression of the lack of status given to them by many motorists.
Forward this to anyone you think has something to add.
Mark S Higginbotham
Leading Senior Constable
Prosecutions Division
Research and Training Unit
Level 2 456 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne 3000
Phone 86283280 Fax 96707563
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please read the two messages below.
It regards the acceptance of submissions to the Victorian Government re: the safety of cyclists on the road.
For some of us this is 2,000kms away... But the movement has to start from somewhere!
You may be inspired...
Regards,
Steve Smith
P.S.
Pass on to any other cyclists you may know.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, 10 June 2004 1:58 PM
<email addresses removed>
Subject: Action - road rage an cyclists
Road rage against cyclists (or at the very least a misunderstanding and lack of knowledge of the rights of cyclists on roads), is an area of concern for anyone who rides. Not only for the sake of safety, but also for the sake of reducing the stress of riding, if all road users were aware of cyclists, and their status as legitimate road users.
The email below, initiated by Mark Higginbotham of the Victorian Police Prosecutions Division, identifies an opportunity for any road users, and in the above context specifically cyclist, to confirm that this is an important issue, and that some changes and actions are required.
Please read the email below, respond to Sand Cook (Executive officer of the review), and indicate your opinion on any safety issues related to cyclist,In particular is the issue of minimum distances that vehicles should have to adhere to when passing cyclists. Many of you would have been in a situation of not only being hit, but having the whit's scared out of you by a vehicle passing too close. These close calls do not help to encourage cycling, nor
make it as pleasant an experience that it could be.
Please send in any submission OR at the very least forward this email to AT LEAST 3 other cyclists you know so that they may have the chance to contribute, and get a few stories off their chests.
Go for it, let the Govt know that it is an issue, and we need some changes.
Cheers,
Paul
Subject: From Mark Higginbotham
There is a parliamentary committee looking into law reform that may reduce road rage.
This is an opportunity to improve the status of cyclists on Victorian roads.
I strongly suggest that you all make a submission, urgently, to Sandy Cook, Executive Officer of the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee.
There is a committee meeting being held on the 21/6 and the discussion paper has already been published.
The agenda of this committee will be more difficult to expand very soon. Email: [email protected]
I spoke with her this morning and she has had 5 submissions statewide. This will suggest to the government that it is a non-issue and nothing will happen.
In most of the states of the US and in most of the countries of Europe there are prescribed minimum distances that must exist when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle.
My experience is that impatient drivers who resent the presence of bicycles on roads take chances by forcing their way past when there is insufficient space.
Please tap out an email and send it to Sandy. The committee wants some sense of the measure of the problem of road rage and also to design strategies to reduce it. At the very least let her know, should you agree,that cyclists are commonly the victims of road rage that is an expression of the lack of status given to them by many motorists.
Forward this to anyone you think has something to add.
Mark S Higginbotham
Leading Senior Constable
Prosecutions Division
Research and Training Unit
Level 2 456 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne 3000
Phone 86283280 Fax 96707563