Compulsory high-vis clothing for cyclists?

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Compulsory high-vis clothing for cyclists?

3News NZ

The coroner is examining eight cycling deaths over a six month period (file pic)

The coroner is examining eight cycling deaths over a six month period (file pic)

By Ingrid Hipkiss

Coroner Gordon Matenga has raised the idea of mandatory high-vis clothing for cyclists and compulsory use of cycle lanes.

The suggestions were made at an inquest into the death of Jane Bishop, who was killed on Auckland's busy Tamaki Drive in November 2010. Hers is one of eight cycling deaths over a six-month period being examined by the coroner.

Ms Bishop was killed after she hit Glenn Becker as he got out of his car. She had tried to avoid the collision but fell under the wheels of a passing truck.

“It was basically, I hear a skid, I looked up and I was being hit as I looked up,” says Mr Becker.

A district court judge cleared Mr Becker of any blame and now coroner Gordon Matenga will decide what can be done to prevent similar deaths.

Cycling lobbyist Beven Woodward says he warned Auckland transport that the road layout was dangerous for cyclists.

“In my opinion Auckland City Council's actions were a significant contributing cause in the death of Jane Bishop,” says Mr Woodward.

“They decided not to remedy the hazard or to my knowledge even investigate it when it was bought to their attention.”

But Auckland Transport and the police don't think the road was a significant factor and the officer in charge says cyclists in general need to be more careful.

“I see a lot of cyclists do a lot of stupid things,” says Senior Constable Brian Hensley.

“I think that's what car drivers get upset about, they see someone going through red light weaving in and out of traffic and think there's someone asking for a crash.”

He says lack of visibility is a common theme and the coroner floated the idea of compelling cyclists to wear high vis or reflective clothing, as well making them use cycle lanes where they're available.

Today’s hearing was the final in a series during which the coroner examined the deaths of cyclists killed in Wellington, Palmerston North, the Waikato and Auckland.

He has reserved his findings.

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Comments

13/08/2012 1:07:37 p.m.

Graeme Broderick wrote:

In regard to motorists, changing behaviour is like the workplace is a massive and complicated response to a risk. Isolation between vehicles and bikes is the key response. Not always available or dont meet our needs in getting somewhere. Additional to that is being seen whilst negotiating traffice. I ride with high vis and lights on at all times. Also acknowledge other road users for not running over me. Helps to change behaviour. Just a few thoughts about this ongoing and frustrating subject.

9/08/2012 12:01:09 p.m.

Peter T wrote:

What next? Mandatory bubble wrap after the next 'findings' shows another 'blameless accident' when another cyclist is killed? Stop discriminating tax paying cyclists who fund the roads and actually learn to make the roads safer for vulnerable users instead of blaming the victims.

9/08/2012 12:01:07 p.m.

sit ubu sit wrote:

If the coroner believe hi-vis clothing for cyclists is the answer, then he should also be advocating "any colour you want as long as it's dayglo orange" for all motor vehicles. People still manage to crash their cars in to yellow buses so road safety is not simply an issue of visibility.

Hi-vis clothing may make you more visible, but it has zero powers of invincibility when a truck drives over the top of you or someone takes their eyes off the road to look down at their phone.

8/08/2012 9:24:01 p.m.

Accent wrote:

I have no problem with hi-viz clothing as I cycle around Sydney in winter, so in the dark before and after work. Even strong, flashing bike lights are easily lost in the cacophony of car and advertising lights on a busy road. Hi-viz clothing stands out much better. I'm much more worried about compulsory use of bike lanes. In Sydney that means forcing cyclists to ride on the most dangerous part of the road, the car-door zone. When bike lanes are wide enough for fast and slow cyclists in both directions, not penalised by car-biased traffic lights and well away from car doors and toxic exhaust fumes, by all means encourage riders to use them. Until then intelligent cyclists will stay well away from car-door lanes.

3/08/2012 2:55:49 p.m.

Spike Hair wrote:

Blaming what cyclists wear if they get hit is like blaming women for wearing mini-skirts and getting raped.

2/08/2012 5:06:19 p.m.

Jake wrote:

@Bulgar. Totally agree with first point. For all road users. Second, Third & Fourth points - Cyclists have a responsibility to stay left **when it doesn't compromise their safety** (Road Code). Add to this the responsibility to take correct lane and road position for intersections and roundabouts, especially turning right. Cycle lanes do not always go where the cyclist wants to go. If you want to overtake a cyclist, make sure its safe, even if they're taking the whole lane. They probably have good reason to be there. As a cyclist, don't bother using the city streets unless you can cycle one handed (for signalling) whilst glancing backwards (for safety & awareness) without wobbling all over the road. Whilst doing this, remember you only have one brake and its almost certainly not the more efficient front brake as you'll likely be indicating right to get out of the de facto cycle lane in the gutter. Cyclists haven't killed any motorists or pedestrians in NZ lately, so give us a break.

30/07/2012 9:01:27 a.m.

Bulgar wrote:

High visibility is not the answer to the problem. The answer is for people to stop acting like idiots. Here are some guidelines for those who want to avoid idiocy -
1.The road is not a racetrack - its for getting from one place to another.
2. If the road is conjested and accidents more likely - take steps to protect yourself e.g. use a car.
3. ALWAYS tell other road users what you intend to do e.g. indicate a turn, and obey the law of the road.
4. Be considerate of other road users e.g. if there is a cycle lane nearby - use it.
These simple guidelines would save lives.
I was a keen motorcyclist but have given it up because of excessive ACC fees (I've never had an accident myself) and concerns over my safety (the majority of motorcycle accidents are the fault of a third party). So I drive a car that uses more fuel and takes up more room. I do this because I'm not an idiot.

27/07/2012 10:20:17 p.m.

John wrote:

The coroner obviously has no idea and has never spoken to regular cyclists in coming up with these recommendations. At 30KM an hour I'm far safer travelling in the same direction as cars doing 50 then trying to dice with the i-zombies with their headphones on, wandering around on the shared footpaths that are labeled cycle lanes around here. All that will happen is pedestrians getting killed as well a cyclists, unless the investment goes into dedicated cycle lanes. In the meantime, let us choose the safest option ourselves. And Louis, you have no idea. Local roads are mainly funded by local council rates, which I pay just as much as you. Like most cyclists, I also have a car so pay registration, acc etc as well as general taxes but hardly use it so am essentially subsiding you. Time to share and realise that every cyclist means one less car in traffic jams.

27/07/2012 10:17:53 p.m.

John wrote:

The coroner obviously has no idea and has never spoken to regular cyclists in coming up with these recommendations. At 30KM an hour I'm far safer travelling in the same direction as cars doing 50 then trying to dice with the i-zombies with their headphones on, wandering around on the shared footpaths that are labeled cycle lanes around here. All that will happen is pedestrians getting killed as well a cyclists, unless the investment goes into dedicated cycle lanes. In the meantime, let us choose the safest option ourselves. And Louis, you have no idea. Local roads are mainly funded by local council rates, which I pay just as much as you. Like most cyclists, I also have a car so pay registration, acc etc as well as general taxes but hardly use it so am essentially subsiding you. Time to share and realise that every cyclist means one less car in traffic jams.

26/07/2012 11:45:49 p.m.

Danielle Moller wrote:

Stop re-inventing the wheel, and poorly at that. invest in decent cycle lanes and. My husband is Danish. Spent his whole life living in densely populated Copenhagen; always cycled. He says cycling here (in CHC) is crazy as you are in such close proximity to cars AND drivers don't pay attention, because there are so few cyclists. Hi vis vest is NOT the solution and will turn more people away from cycling than encouraging it!. Decent cycling lights are a must and cycling lanes. Get on your bike and get fit! :-)