Truce between motorists and cyclists urged
CYCLISTS have run up the white flag in the war on Queensland’s roads.
Bicycle Queensland launched the “ride white” campaign yesterday in a bid to call a truce with motorists in a war that claimed eight lives and cost millions of dollars in injury payouts and economic impact in just the past year.
“Riders who want to signify their commitment to sharing the road, obeying the law and respecting fellow road users are asked to fly the white flag,” Bicycle Queensland said in launching its #whitehelmet campaign online.
“You can do this any way you like (as long as it’s lawful) – fix a white piece of fabric to your bike, stick a white label on your helmet, wear a white armband – heck, tie a white shoelace on your handlebar if it’s all you’ve got.”
The campaign for respect on the road comes after Bicycle Queensland boss Anne Savage revealed cyclists were terrified of riding because of the behaviour of motorists.
In a blunt message, Ms Savage said it was time for drivers to start behaving after eight cyclists were among the 240 people killed on the state’s roads last year.
“Drivers, I have a message for you. Ordinary Queensland bike riders – our mums and dads and kids – are terrified of you,” she said.
While she admitted cyclists also had “responsibility for their behaviour on the road”, she said the attitudes of drivers made people too scared to ride.
“We have a right to be on the road, and we ask you to respect that right,” she said.