Comparethemarket.com.au promote culture of respect between cyclists and motorists

ComparetheMarket.com.au, popular insurance comparison site, has produced an infographic that gives tips on how to share the road for both cyclists and motorists. Other big names are also advocating a culture of road respect on the roads. CarSales.com.au is driving awareness by partnering with pro cyclist Cadel Evans to promote safer roads for everyone¹ and comedian Charlie Pickering published a video highlighting the cyclists versus motoring ‘feud’².

The bicycle versus car debate

In 2014, more new bicycles were sold than cars. This is encouraging to many as there is a long list of benefits cycling reportedly offers society. For example, the QLD government states that transport accounts for 18.2% of household expenditure. A car is estimated to cost 55 cents per kilometer to run, whereas cycling costs 1% of this, the total savings being around $1,700 per year³.

In a release from nsw.gov.au, studies have shown that cycle ways can move almost twice as many people in the same amount space provided for motorists (study conducted between 8am and 9am on Kent St, Sydney)⁴, an encouraging figure when looking at Sydney’s congestion problem.

In Victoria it is reported that an individual has been leaving thumb tacks along cycle lanes in Melbourne’s suburbs in an attempt to drive cyclists off the roads⁵. These tacks have caused injury to cyclists and damage to bicycles, forcing riders to cycle in the traffic lane.

Edward Hore, president of the Australian Cycle Alliance, says negative perceptions of both cyclists and road users would be helped if both sides realise that the ‘hate’ only comes from the minority. Hore points out that, “most people support riding, they either know someone that rides or ride themselves.”⁶

Mr Hore advises good riders to not be apologists for other road users doing the wrong thing, advising riders to speak up, saying “If you ride within the law, just say that”.

Where Australia could go from here

Many point to education on both sides being the key to safety for all on our roads, so Comparethemarket.com.au have released this simple infographic to cover the basics. The A to B of road respect details the law for both types of road user, promoting a culture of mutual respect.

Looking out for a fellow “wheeler” isn’t about cars always giving way to cyclists, or cyclists riding in the gutter, rather mutual support while travelling. Feann Torr, journalist from motoring.com.au, told Comparethemarket.com.au, “The responsibility of safety falls to all road users – respect and education is paramount for those sharing the road space, both drivers and riders need to support each other.”

Committing to improving attitudes is a great place to start when looking at safety for all road users. Victoria’s recent campaign, “Travel Happy” reflects this saying “A wave is a simple and effective way to communicate on the road. Whether it’s saying thank you or sorry when you muck up, you’ll win friends with this humble gesture.”⁷

The graphic states that regardless whether you have two wheels or four, looking out for others on the roads can only be a good thing. Christopher Jones from Bicycles Network Australia told Comparethemarket.com.au, “Roads connect us to or destination and to other road users. Let’s make a great connection.”

This latest graphic from Comparethemarket.com.au promotes a Coming together to “Commute to Change”. Please share the infographic with fellow wheelers and promote a positive change in your community.

• 1 http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2015/carsalescomau-takes-a-stake-in-road-safety-48904?csn_tn=true
• 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7gE19uX2ZA
• 3 http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Cycling/Benefits.aspx
• 4 http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/publications/sydneys-cycling-future-web.pdf
• 5 http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/stop-the-tacks-kew-boulevard-cyclists-say-enough-is-enough-20150503-1myqjk.html#ixzz3gh0pCLnX
• 6 http://www.cycle.org.au/index.php/rambles/words-of-wisdom/187-it-s-these-cyclists-that-give-us-a-bad-name
• 7 http://travelhappy.vic.gov.au/how-to-travel-happy.html