An UpRider recently survived another close call on Barrack Street, demonstrating the inadequacy of white lines as protection for vulnerable road users. The cyclist was nearly hit by a driver who swerved into the bike lane to avoid delay from a turning car.
What happened prior to this incident?
I had just left the office for my ride home. This 300m stretch is the only part of the 5km ride that has to be on the road. The rest is on a shared bike/pedestrian part.
When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?
Either when I am only protected from 2 tonne vehicles by a thin white line, or dawn/dusk if riding into the sun
What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road
Change the presumed liability laws to what they already have in the UK (if a car hits a smaller road user, they are deemed liable unless they can prove otherwise). I observed a considerable change in motorist behaviours towards cyclists when I was last back there. The other thing is properly separated infrastructure, which is joined up. It’s no use having a great separated section, only for it to then peter out and the cyclist then pushed back onto the road with cars. It simply puts the majority off from the risk of riding and forces them into cars.
Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?
Yes, I registered it on the WA Police incident reporting website. I have yet to hear back from them requesting the video.
What do you think about UpRide?
I think it is a superb resource – both for cyclists who are planning on riding somewhere for the first time and who want to be aware of any historical risks, but also for road safety campaigners to be able to give very specific examples to political policy makers and planning authorities on where there are risks in the existing infrastructure or the road behaviours or a minority of motorists that imperil the safety of more vulnerable road users.
What is your advice for other cyclists?
Never stop concentrating, even for a second. Plus, always ride with front & back cameras. The more cyclists that have them (& report incidents) the more motorists will be aware that any negative actions will be reported and will have consequences (even if, as so often happens, they quickly remove themselves from the scene of an incident to avoid getting in trouble).
Want to share your story?
We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.
