Cycling in Sydney Australia
Driver education sadly lacking knowledge of other peoples rights
One thing I noticed today after a sub-par interaction with a motorist is that yet again a lack of knowledge about the rights of bicycle rides contributed to a near accident. In this case I was moving to the front of a line of traffic at which point the light went green so I moved in front of the closest car to get ready to take off and was nearly run over by a driver that simply believed that I had no right to do what I had done.
I honestly believe that a lot of the driving public's perception of cyclists as a group that constantly break the law is based on the fact that cyclists are allowed to do a number of things that cars aren't and the drivers don't know that.
Largely I believe this is based on the fact that our driver education system teaches drivers what they can and can't do but has little or no focus on what surrounding road users are and aren't allowed to do.
Someone needs to do a study to ascertain the level of knowledge the driving population has about other road users rights, may that will prompt an education campaign and updates to driver education.
I honestly believe that a lot of the driving public's perception of cyclists as a group that constantly break the law is based on the fact that cyclists are allowed to do a number of things that cars aren't and the drivers don't know that.
Largely I believe this is based on the fact that our driver education system teaches drivers what they can and can't do but has little or no focus on what surrounding road users are and aren't allowed to do.
Someone needs to do a study to ascertain the level of knowledge the driving population has about other road users rights, may that will prompt an education campaign and updates to driver education.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Colin on -
From Associate professor of public health at the University of Sydney, Chris Rissel, (quoted in this SMH article):
Almost 40 per cent of motorists did not know that cyclists were entitled to use a whole lane, 69 per cent did not realise they were allowed to overtake on the left of cars and 81 per cent did not know that cyclists could ride two abreast. Indeed, 13 per cent did not realise that cyclists were even allowed to use the roads.
The RTA should take this research and modify the standard driving test to include these cycling-related rules. It should also have mandatory re-testing for all motorists; I reckon every 5 years would be about right.
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Permalink Reply by David Taylor on -
Agreed on all fronts.
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Permalink Reply by PeterT on -
Come to think of it I don't recall reading about the above specifically in the RTA handbook for driving.
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Permalink Reply by stephen daniels on -
personally i dont think any amount of driver education would make any difference, we are living in times where people couldnt care less about other people & their rights. driving a car& coping with attitude is bad enough but being on a bike theres no chance with some drivers. they just dont think we have any right to be on the road, thankfully they are in the minority. had a hell of a week, next week will be better got heaps of rides to do.
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