Renewed push for cyclist safety: Bike riders encouraged to have their say on Minimum Passing Distance laws

Statistics show 38 cyclists died on WA roads between 2005-2014, with eight fatalities being recorded in 2014 alone.

In this timeframe, cyclists made up 4 per cent of the total road deaths but constituted only 2 per cent of trips.

Minimum Passing Distance laws introduced by the state government in November 2017 require motorists to leave a gap of at least one metre when passing a cyclist at 60 kilometres per hour or less, and a gap of at least 1.5 metres when the speed limit is over 60 kilometres per hour.

The laws also allow drivers to cross centre line markings when it is safe, including single and double continuous white lines and painted islands, to give the correct amount of space to the cyclist.

The penalty for not abiding by the safe passing distance is a $400 fine and four demerit points.

In the year the laws were introduced, seven bike riders were killed.

Since then, there were five cyclist deaths recorded in 2018 and one so far in 2019.

As the laws approach two years in action, the final public survey is being conducted to determine their effectiveness.

Global infrastructure, environmental and social development company Cardno is conducting both online evaluations and community forums to hear from cyclists and drivers about their thoughts on the one metre rule.

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Road Safety Council chairman Iain Cameron said it was important for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists to get involved in the conversation.

"Cyclists are among the most vulnerable people using our roads," he said.

"The Road Safety Council is currently meeting with stakeholders and members of the wider community all over the state as part of the development of the state's new draft road safety strategy for the next 10 years to 2030.

"This is the perfect time for those who ride bicycles, as a commuter, on weekend group rides or for recreation with their family, to have their say on the future of road safety in WA."

Mr Cameron said it would be the public's final chance to have their say on how the Minimum Passing Distance law is working for them.

"Your feedback is vital and will assist the Road Safety Council in preparing advice for a new strategy for the Minister for Road Safety (Michelle Roberts) to consider," he said.

"On behalf of the Road Safety Commission, Cardno is asking cyclists, drivers and all road users to take part in the last community survey as part of a two-year evaluation of the law designed to protect cyclists and encourage all road users to share the roads safely."

Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts has requested help from the Road Safety Council to engage with West Australians and develop a draft new road safety strategy.

WA's peak body for cycling, Westcycle, transport, safety and advocacy general manager Philip Taylor said it was imperative cyclists were consulted during development of the strategy.

"It is particularly important that the safety of bike riders is a key consideration in the development of WA's new road safety strategy to ensure that we see a future were no bike rider is killed or seriously injured," he said.

"The introduction of Minimum Passing Distance laws was a great start to improving bike rider safety in WA.

"As the evaluation of this law progresses, we will have a better understanding of just how effective this legislation is or if we need to make adjustments.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility and we encourage all bike riders to be alert, predictable and courteous."

Mr Taylor said there was still plenty of work to be done to protect bike riders on the road.

"We will never be satisfied until there are zero fatal and zero serious injury crashes. Every death, regardless of age, is alarming," he said.

"When taking into account the relative exposure, bike riders are generally considered over-represented in the crash statistics.

"Especially in crashes between a bike rider and a motorist, the bike rider is usually the one that comes off second-best even when they are not at-fault."

The Road Safety Council will host a community forum in Mandurah next week for all road users to share their concerns and any issues relevant to the Peel region.

Mr Cameron said the community engagement was focused on urging people to join in the conversation about road safety.

"I encourage all road users to register for the Imagine Zero community consultation," he said.

"We will also consult with cyclists at a focused forum in Scarborough on September 5, where the conversation will concentrate on road safety issues specific to cyclists."

The forum will be held at the Bortolo Pavillion from 6pm on Monday, September 2.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.