Racing back on the road in NSW
www.cyclingnews.com
In a quick turnaround from a potentially disastrous situation, Cycling NSW has announced that road racing is expected to return to the roads of New South Wales, Australia. Cycling NSW met again with the New South Wales Police and RTA representatives Tuesday and has reached an agreement to resume road racing. Road racing is expected to resume this weekend, following the agreements reached between the police and RTA over litigation and the responsibility of the various parties involved.
Cycling NSW is expected to notify police of locations where approvals for club racing have already been issued, so the police may then inform the localities of the new arrangements. Open Events will proceed where approvals have already been granted, while club officials are advised to contact Cycling NSW concerning planned events, particularly those in the near future.
In all instances of racing on shared roads, i.e., with a rolling road closure and a centre line rule, the police stressed that there would be no tolerance for cyclists crossing the centre line into the lane open to oncoming traffic.
"We believe that what looked to be a disaster a week ago has now been the catalyst for road cycle racing to take on a new status which will produce safer and better road racing in New South Wales," Cycling NSW president Robert Bates said in a written statement.
"Once again we must thank the tremendous co-operation from Minister Watkins, his staff, the NSW Police Service and RTA."
The RTA has been charged with the responsibility of formulating a new set of guidelines regarding road cycle racing. To date there have been no official specific guidelines regarding road cycle racing available, and Cycling NSW will work with the RTA on this endeavour.