“In 2010, there were 160 reported incidents, including the death of James Cross, 22, who crashed into an open car door in Hawthorn and fell under the wheels of a passing truck. The car driver was not fined or charged with any offence.”
Cycling groups are urging VicRoads to resume ‘a nearly forgotten 10-year old program’ which offers drivers ‘Look out for cyclists’ stickers to be stuck on car mirrors.
Cycling groups including the RACV, the Amy Gillett Foundation and the Australian Automobile Association propose VicRoads engage printing services to create stickers that can be ordered online and then placed on every new car sold in Australia. The cost of the stickers would be 7 cents each.
Chief executive of the Amy Gillett Foundations Tracey Gaudry said:
“When you've got 4 million people riding bikes [nationally], they [stickers] are not causing anyone any harm, they're not costing anyone anything and you're potentially saving serious dollars and causing social wellbeing in preventing injuries and saving lives.”
VicRoads said that the said that it stopped producing the stickers because public interest waned and that it was developing a campaign to improve the relationship between cars and bikes on Victorian roads. VicRoads also said:
“Motorists who create a hazard for cyclists can be fined a maximum of $366, or face a $122 fine on the spot. In cases involving serious injury to cyclists, motorists can also be charged.”