CSIT RTW Bulletin #9: Apr 2000

UPDATE: NEW NATIONAL ROAD RULES:

• 28th Jan: Neville Reece from Pedal Power (accompanied by yours truly - my reward for putting up my hand I suppose :) lobbied Jon Stanhope MLA (leader of Opposition) and drafted proposed ammendments to Gordon McAllister (adviser to Kerrie Tucker MLA). Sympathetic response from both.
  Those of you that helped to lobby over Dec -- Feb, many thanks!
• 1st Mar: new rules came into effect - no time to debate cycling issues by this time
• 29th Mar: The Minister for Urban Services, Brendan Smythe MLA, announced that some traffic lights lights crossings may be exempted from Rule 248 (cyclists must dismount).
  This was recommended by a national committee; explicit signs would have to be put up at each such crossings...
• 30th Mar: Kerrie Tucker MLA tabled an ammendment to Rule 248, supported by all Labour & Green MLAs. The motion was defeated 8:11; the independents \& government MLAs would not cross the floor...
  Many thanks to Kerrie and Jon Stanhope nonetheless; Kerrie has pledged to keep the issue alive. Brendan Smythe has also asked to keep negotiations on such issues with Pedal Power.
  For details, please see the report from Gordon McAllister, and/or the Canberra Times article of Mar 30 by Neville Reece

NRR: CYCLISTS & PEDESTRIANS ON SHARED PATHS

Rule 250 2(b): The rider of a bicycle riding on a footpath or shared path must give way (slow down, and if necessary stop, to avoid a collision) to any pedestrian on the footpath or shared path.

Whats the significance of this? Legally all ACT `bike paths' are `shared paths'. While this Rule is unlikely to change the day-to-day practice of either pedestrians or cyclists on these paths, remember if there is a collision who will be found at fault.

Getting Third Party Insurance, such as you can get from Pedal Power membership, seems like a very good idea indeed if you use the bike paths regularly.

UPDATE: NEW RTW CO-ORDINATOR

Christena and Tim, we look forward to your support in the future.

MOWN GRASS ON BIKE PATHS

Mown grass on the bicycle paths can be quite a dangerous hazard, so it would be a good idea to encourage riders in your groups to report it to the contact in the ACT Government, Al Godkin, who passes on this message:

"Canberra Urban Parks and places would appreciate being informed of any incidences of grass on pathways. We will take immediate action. The contact number is 62072500 or you may phone me direct on 62072318."

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. 12:30pm Thurs May 4th Bike Lights Campaign Launch
   This is a big event, organized by ACT Planning and Land Management (supported by NRMA and Pedal Power), and to be opened by the Minister for Urban Services, Brendan Smyth.
   It is a very important issue: cyclists riding at night without lights are indeed a hazard.
   This will be held at our very own ANU in the Union Square! So please come along - I am told light sets will be given away as well as fluoro wristbands.
2. 12:30pm Fri May 12 Heart Week Ride to Deakin Shops
   To support the National Heart Week, this ride (of all RTW groups) is for lunch at Deakin Shops at 1pm. If you wish to participate, please wear or decorate your bike with something RED. Donations to the Heart Foundation will be collected from you.
   Please meet me at the CSIT Bikeshed at 12:30 pm sharp!

Well thats it for this month (these months). Happy cycling! -Peter.