Shoalhaven cyclists have hit back at a petition calling for a change in current road rules.
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The Shoalhaven Bicycle Users Group (SBUG) has labelled the petition, created by Drivers For Registration of Cyclists, as an attempt to force cyclists off the road.
The petition, created a few months ago, has attracted national attention, with more than 100,000 signatures.
The Drivers For Registration of Cyclists has called on transport ministers of Australia to implement a prohibition of cyclists on all roads with a designated speed limit higher than 80 kilometers per hour, if those roads don’t have designated bike lanes.
They also want compulsory single-file rule implemented for all cyclists who ride in groups, regardless of whether a bike lane exists or not.
“We are tired of taxpayer dollars being lavished on expensive road systems with designated bike lanes, only to see cyclists continue to ride 2 or more abreast, spilling into main traffic lanes and impeding traffic flow,” the petition read.
“We are tired of the safety hazards such cyclists present, and we are tired of being we're told we're bad drivers if we complain about this problem.”
SBUG president Mel Gillott said the petition was an attempt to “force cyclists off the road.”
“The road is there for all to share and this would force us off the road,” he said.
“It’s a pity that people want to do that because SBUG does try to be respectful and courteous to all road users.”
The petition stated that “no other safety initiative will deliver better results than compelling cyclists to ride single file.”
Mr Gillot opposed this and said the current law of two-across riding, as long as riders were travelling within a metre and a half of one another, was much safer.
“It is safer for cyclists because it prevents motorists from forcing us further to the left and off the road,” he said.
“I’m a motorist too and it is annoying when you cant overtake a cyclist, but they are entitled to ride on the road.
“We just ask that people are more patient and more considerate of cyclists.”
Mr Gillott said while he was well aware some cyclists don’t follow the rules, not all should be penalised.
“It’s just the same as there is motorists who don’t follow the rules,” he said.
“You can’t punish all cyclists who don’t follow the rules. At SBUG we aim to be polite to everyone on the road.”
Once the petition hits 150,000 signature, it will be sent to Victorian transport minister Jacinta Allan MP, Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey, NSW transport minister Andrew Constance MP and South Australian transport minister Stephen Campbell Mulligan MP.
