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Victoria: Minimum Cyclist Passing Distances Proposed, RACV Opposed

Victoria is again considering legislation that would mandate a ‘minimum passing distance’ for cyclists, as the new state government enters its fourth month in office. The laws would require drivers to leave a gap of at least one metre when


Victoria is again considering legislation that would mandate a ‘minimum passing distance’ for cyclists, as the new state government enters its fourth month in office.

The laws would require drivers to leave a gap of at least one metre when overtaking cyclists. The issue is one of improving rider safety.

Drivers, however, may not be so keen on the proposed legislation.

There will likely be instances where the new laws, should they come into effect, will require cars to follow a cyclist at low speed for a considerable distance until they can safely and legally cross to the ‘wrong’ side of the road to overtake.

It’s this issue, among others, that sees Victoria’s RACV opposed to the idea, with the motoring group’s Brian Negus saying the laws will not improve safety.

“RACV encourages motorists to always maintain a safe clearance between their vehicle and bicycle riders, but we do not believe mandating a minimum passing distance of one metre will be effective,” Mr Negus said.

“The legislation does not take into account those riders that swerve from bicycle lanes to overtake another rider, which happens often in the inner-city. In cases like this, the new laws would unfairly shift the onus of responsibility for avoiding a crash squarely on the motorist."

Cyclists

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