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CSIT RTW Bulletin #8: Jan 2000

http://cs.anu.edu.au/csitRTW/bulletins/RTW.8.Jan00.html
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***** If you'd like to make a contribution to these bulletins, *****
***** please email it to me by the end of the previous month *****


UPDATE: NEW NATIONAL ROAD RULES:

This is a short update on the issue that raised its head at the end of the year.

In case any others of you still feel like lobbying your MLAs, there is still time and point this month (Peter Lamb from CMIS expressed interest in doing so; see MORE INFO section of Bulletin #7 Dec 1999 items 2-4 for sample letters).

The current situation is that the Bill for the adoption of the Australian Road Rules as a whole was passed in ACT LA late last month. However, this does *not* mean all the rules will become law in the ACT: if there is enough opposition individual regulations can still be disallowed. Over the next 2 months, these will be decided in the LA.

I got replies from Michael Moore MLA and ACT Greens member Kerrie Tucker; the former gave the me impression that amendments were unlikely, but the latter was more hopeful.

Note that the full draft of the Australian Road Rules can be viewed from here (there is a 2.5 MB pdf document if you have the patience and disk space!)


50 KM/HR SUBURBAN ROAD LIMITS

Well, this could really slow down our cycling :).

Pedal Power is also lobbying for such limits for sections of ACT roads, on the grounds that the reduced speed of motor vehicles will provide a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Personally I'm not strong on this either way, but I report it as it may affect us, cycling or driving.


NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY 2000

Yet another issue that has cropped up for the new year is this strategy As far as cycling is concerned, it identifies cyclists as among the high risk groups (and hence safety 'equity' should be improved), proposing: but one criticism from Pedal Power is that it seems to have an emphasis on road tolls as an outcome (incidentally it lauds the introduction of mandatory bicycle helmet wearing as reducing this toll...), but that does not necessarily reflect promotion of cycling as a safe and healthy activity. Also it does not refer to the National Cycling Strategy.


Further info on all of these can be found in the Jan 2000 issue of Canberra Cyclist (I have a hardcopy; should be up soon here).


Well thats it for this month. Happy cycling! -Peter.

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