Safety first in bike brake lights push

GOLD Coast residents and police want cyclists to be forced to place brake warning lights on their bikes to prevent a fatality.

The Bulletin has obtained video footage showing motorists being blocked by a pack of cyclists on a road in the Tallebudgera Valley.

The cyclists are riding between 6am and 9am in the blinding light or at dusk where their black Lycra makes it difficult for motorists to detect them.

Both residents and police sources believe new laws must be drafted to prevent an accident.

“If they go under the speed limit it is illegal. It’s seen as blocking,” a police source said.

“There really needs to be some legislative change. If you are using the road to ride your bike, they should be fitted with a warning light.

“If they’re powering along at 30km/h and stop and there’s no indicator, you have no chance of stopping.”

Tallebudgera Valley resident Joanne Vonhoff believes not just warning lights on bikes but laws restricting riders to a single file need to be introduced.

“At sunset, they’re wearing black. They blend into the background. At sunrise, you’re blind to them,” Ms Vonhoff said.

“Valley residents have had enough. Sooner or later a driver is going to be forced off the roads trying to avoid these inconsiderate riders.”

A Bulletin report yesterday showing cyclists in a pack riding along Hedges Ave at Mermaid Beach revealed the riders had done nothing wrong.

Police said motorists may be frustrated but there was no requirement for them to stay in the cycling lane and they were doing the 30km/h limit.

But Ms Vonhoff said the rural roads had speed limits of between 60 and 80km/h.

“There is no way that they can manage those speeds,” she said.

“We understand that roads are to be shared but these types of roads are not safe for shared access.

“Hooning in the valley is another reason why bikes and cars just don’t mingle.

“We don’t want our roads filled with crosses on the side where accidents have occurred.”

RACQ head of technical and safety policy Steve Spalding said every road user needed to drive or ride with a cool head.

“It’s not about marking your territory,” Mr Spalding said.

“It’s about making sure the road is safe.”

Mr Spalding said cyclists needed to move to the left for vehicles to reduce frustration.

But also at the same time, motorists needed to give cyclists extra space.

Mr Spalding said both motorists and cyclists needed to ensure they obeyed the road rules.