Thank you to the many people who have posted social media comments and sent emails to me regarding my recent QON relating to cycling.
Please before I elaborate on my recent QON that appears to have offended and created some misunderstanding, for the record I am definitely not anti-cycling โ in fact the very opposite! I am a strong supporter of cycling rights, related events (and have welcomed/supported many), as well as the recreational, health and modal benefits that this brings to peopleโs lives. The people of the Noosa electorate are very aware of this position and my consistent approach to encourage choice, diversity and tolerance in our communities.
Now in relation to the QON. I raised this question to the Minister, as I do on many realms, in response to issues and concerns raised on this by residents for safer conditions for cyclists and other road users. As the response indicates, registration as a method had been looked at previously in 2013, and determined that there would have negligible impact on road user behaviour and safety, and that the cost would outweigh any benefits, hence not of consideration.
As a modal shift to bikes is desperately needed as part of a reduction in emissions, congestion and parking issues, and to increase a healthier, more communal lifestyle, of concern is that many potential riders say that they will not utilise bikes or trikes as they feel unsafe. This is not only due to driver behaviour, but also that our bikeways need widening and speeds within precincts lowered. I have been looking at options on how this could be achieved through existing the linkages through parks etc. There are many times when I need to ask questions, and these give opportunity for discussion and understanding to deliver better safety and outcomes.
Briefly, as an Independent member of Parliament it is my role to represent a wide range of viewpoints and enquiry by our constituents, and are often not representative of my own personal beliefs or opinions. Again, those in my electorate know that I am not an MP with extreme or polarising views, far from it. I seek an inclusive and harmonious society where we all get along and work through challenges respectfully together.
To view this QON and a list of others, please head to https://www.sandybolton.com/questions/ and follow the links.
Many thanks.
Best regards,
Sandy
COMMENTS
I am relieved the bike rego option was dropped quickly. Thank you for your understanding on this. It is one of those arguments regularly mentioned in anti cyclist threads, that have become so inflammatory and counterproductive – often interspersed with gifs showing cars ploughing into cyclists etc. I was not surprised your QON touched a raw nerve with cyclists. btw We are planning a ‘citizen science’ mapping experiment for cycling trouble spots shortly. More with a bit of luck soon.
@ecotekk
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I don’t understand how anyone can consider breathing in car exhaust fumes healthy exercise. Bikeways should not be beside busy roads. It is not safe as evidenced by consistent cyclist deaths. I don’t blame motorists as its a stressful situation navigating busy traffic as well as keeping an eye on vulnerable cyclists whose only protection is a helmet. I love riding my bike but I do not understand how sporting cyclists have been able to take over the roads making everyone more stressed and unsafe.
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3:01pm
Sports should happen in sports grounds or the like not on our roads. Cycleways need to be built away from car and truck traffic that way they will be safe for everyone, old and young alike.
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3:03pm
I guess the point I’m making is that there are recreational cyclists and people who cycle to work who clearly don’t like using the road because you rarely see them on our part of the coast, and sports cyclists who are increasing in number and make driving cars more stressful. It is two very different issues.
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3:07pm
I’m not anti cyclist but I am against bikes on busy roads. Rego would make no difference to the safety issues.
Hi Kerry, did you know that exhaust fumes are very high if not higher inside cars? That is if you are in a car in an exhaust polluted area. If not, than yours is a moot point. e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/13/cyclists-exposed-to-less-air-pollution-than-drivers-on-congested-routes-study
Secondly, I use cycling for transport, use seperate bike paths when possible, but have to use roads at times, where there are no links or paths. What do you suggest I do? I can not sit and wait for safe bike paths to magically appear. Also latest trends in many places in Europe are to use existing infra structure and not seal more surface where possible and make it safer to share.
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Hi Bettina, I can assure you that exhaust fumes are not higher in my car ๐ when i smell them i wind up the window and no more smell. I do have a fairly new car.
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3:33pm
I’m not criticising you personally or suggesting that you do anything other than what you are doing. I’m just voicing my feelings on the matter.
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3:35pm
I’m writing more to the point of future town planning. I personally would rather separate bike paths than so called “safer” ones beside roads. We have what we have so I don’t know what the answer is to that. for me though I find driving a lot more stressful since sporting cyclists numbers have increased. I wish it was ok to give feedback about driving conditions having become more stressful without cyclists (of which I am one as well) taking it personally and feeling attacked. This all comes down to town planning woudn’t you agree?
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3:42pm
Regarding the pollution on roads I don’t rely on the Guardian to tell me something is ok for my health, or anything else for that matter. Its a newspaper. We don’t have back to bak traffic here on the coast really, I’m talking about busy flowing traffic and that kind of constant air pollution. The best solution in my opinion going forward would be slower driving electric cars with no exhaust fumes and then cyclists would be safer and healthier on the roads too. I have a hybrid car and I will buy a full electric car when they are affordable.
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Hi Kerry, it’s ok, I don’t feel personally criticised, but I can still argue from personal experience. I grabbed the guardian link in haste, because I had remembered from when I cycled a lot in London many years ago bike couriers wore masks, so I was curious and looked into the issue and there was plenty of research – worst off were actually pedestrians, especially children. Thanks for sharing your feelings, but a couple of points come to mind: Not all pollution is detectable by smell. but as you say pollution is not really the problem. Cyclists – sport or otherwise – are more worried about getting run over at worst or at best having to get off the bike to get somehow over fast roads and beautiful bike lanes, that end abruptly in unsafe situation. The question remains: Until we have all these wonderful separate bike ways and electric vehicles with reduced speed limits, should we simply not cycle? Anyway, it sounds as if you are a considerate road user and environmentally quite aware anyway and we don’t have to agree on all the details ๐ Greetings Bettina
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Greetings to you too Bettina and nicely said ๐
I’d vote for the pelotons to be off the roads leaving the bike paths for regular cyclists. Groups of racing cyclists often do not ride single file in areas where the roads narrow for cars making it really hard sometimes imposible to give them enough room for safety. All that would need to happen is a wheel to slip accidentally and the rider would be under my car. My opinion is that most drivers are not anti bikes, rather we are overly aware that we could hurt someone.
Imagine if all the local footy teams started to train in the bike lanes or the golfers wanted to drive balls down the freeway stretches? Would we let them? Could we stop them? When we envisioned bike lanes all that time ago did we do it with an elite sport in mind or was it meant to be a mechanism for local people to replace cars?
I know that most racing bike riders are local too and they need somewhere to ride. I’m not sure that bike paths on our already overcrowded local road system is the answer to this growing sport.