Kelly Vincent – 5RPH Interview on Cycling Regulations
03/11/2015
On 4th November 2015, Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent was interviewed on radio station 5RPH to discuss the new cycling regulations in South Australia and in particular, some of the concerns that have been raised by people with disabilities. Here is the audio and transcript from the interview.
Richard Morgan: Time now to welcome to 5RPH, Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent. Hi Kelly.
Kelly Vincent: Hi Richard.
Richard Morgan: Kelly, we have new cycling regulations in place in South Australia now. Why do you think the Government has introduced these?
Kelly Vincent: Well I think these recommendations were first noted back in February or March when a Citizen’s Jury made a number of recommendations with the hope of making cycling safer for everyone and encourage people who might not try cycling at the moment because of safety concerns to start doing it as a recreational activity and of course for exercise. The one meter overtaking rule is based, I understand on the fact that we are seeing an increasing number of cyclist being severely injured or even killed on Australian roads when hit by cars attempting to overtake them. It’s the most common cause of cyclist death I understand, being hit from behind by a vehicle. So I guess it’s a measure to help reduce our road toll as well as getting more people exercising and enjoying cycling in a safe manner.
In terms of the footpath laws, that is allowing everyone to cycle on the footpath. It’s already legal to ride on the footpath in South Australia if you’re a child aged 10 years old or under; or accompanying a child aged 10 years or under; or have a medical certificate which says you have a disability or a health condition which makes it unsafe for you to cycle on the road. So what these new regulations do is enable everyone to ride along the footpath as long as they do it safely and respectfully, so being mindful that pedestrians always have right of way on the footpath. I don’t think that the Government, the Transport Minister or anyone else proposing these laws really expect to see, you know a Lycra clad Tour de France participant or the Cadel Evans of the world on the footpath at 40ks an hour or more. Because that would not only be disrespectful but it would be unsafe both for the cyclist and the pedestrian. So what we hope to see as Dignity for Disability is an increasing number of people with disability and health conditions including elderly people, feeling more confident to give cycling a go because they are perhaps more able to do that safely now with the one meter rule and being allowed to do that on the footpath.
Richard Morgan: Now we know some groups, and you’ve touched on this particularly within the disability community have been very worried about the cycling on the footpath part of the regulations. What are their worries?
Kelly Vincent: Well, certainly we’ve met with a number of groups including the Blind Citizens Council; and Guides Dogs SA representing both people with hearing and vision related disabilities, and they certainly do have what I think are very valid concerns about these regulations. Particularly around the extra vulnerability, if I can call it that, of people due to vision impairment or people being hard of hearing or deaf because obviously if you are walking along the footpath and you’re blind and/or deaf, you’re not necessarily going to see a cyclist coming or going. So it is particularly important that there are awareness campaigns that make sure that cyclists and motorists alike are aware that they need to look out for people who may not be able to see or hear them coming like other people. So I think this is important not only for people who have a disability but also due to the fact that these days often people walk along footpaths with headphones in or they might be distracted by their mobile telephone or other device. So it’s really important that we’re aware that not everyone will see or hear someone coming immediately and we need to be respectful. So certainly, anyone who feels afraid or terrorised by irresponsible cyclists should report that to the police. And definitely report to the police if there is any form of accident. We certainly requested that the Government conduct an education campaign about pedestrians who particularly have additional potential vulnerabilities because of their disabilities. So I think that we need to get the awareness out there that of course pedestrians always do have right of way, but cyclists also particularly if you are cycling on the footpath, need to be aware that not everyone will hear or see them coming. So we want to see more awareness about this and we’re certainly continuing a conversation with the Government about how best to put that education campaign together. I certainly thank organisations like the Blind Citizens Council and Guide Dogs SA for the role that they’ve played in bringing these issues to the forefront.
Richard Morgan: Now these cycling regulations have been in place for about a week and a half now, has your office had any feedback about the changes?
Kelly Vincent: We haven’t been made aware of any specific problems reported to my office which is pleasing. I have been told some cyclists that motorists do seem to be more aware now and more respectful. Perhaps all the media attention and debates that have been going on in the public arena lately has enabled increased awareness of cyclists and their need to be treated as equals alongside motorists. Dignity for Disability certainly hope that we’ll encourage respect from all parties whether you’re a cyclist, pedestrian or motorist to make sure that we can all use the public spaces that are taxes pay for safely and respectfully.
Richard Morgan: Kelly, thanks for talking with us tonight.
Kelly Vincent: That’s a pleasure, thanks Richard.
Richard Morgan: Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent.
