News.com.au: Call to pull cyclists in line - 30 August, 2006

Cyclists who break the law should be exposed to the same charges and penalties as motorists, according to a prominent riding organisation. The head of the Amy Gillett Foundation said cyclists wanted the same road rights as drivers so should therefore be open to the same sanctions if they broke the law.

General manager Melinda Jacobson said this could go as far as cyclists being charged with culpable riding if they caused a death. Her comments came in the wake of the death of 77-year-old James Gould, who died from head injuries suffered on a Beach Rd, Mentone, pedestrian crossing on Saturday morning.

He was hit by a rider involved in the Hell Ride, a race in which up to 200 cyclists hurtle along Beach Rd and the Nepean Highway at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Ms Jacobson said consistency in the treatment of riders and drivers would help promote respect between the two. The rider who struck Mr Gould will be charged on summons with failing to stop at a red light, but police have left the door open to hitting him with something more serious.

“We need to enforce that they (cyclists) obey road rules. There should be the same charges brought to bear,” she said. Ms Jacobson said consideration should also be given to stripping riders’ driving licence demerit points if they break the law on their bikes. The Amy Gillett Foundation was established in honour of the Commonwealth Games rider killed in a training accident in Germany last year. It aims to promote harmony between cyclists and other road-users.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn Cashman called for Transport Accident Commission compensation payments to be extended to pedestrians hit by cyclists. Company partner John Voyage said the TAC made massive profits, some of which could be used to cover those hurt in such cases. “What if a similar accident had occurred and a single mother with three kids had been killed or even seriously injured?” Mr Voyage said.

Attorney General Rob Hulls said he did he did not know full details of the Mentone case. “I don’t know if a police investigation is ongoing, I don’t know if the charges that are being laid are the only charges that are intended to be laid, so I just don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on that matter without knowing further details about it,” Mr Hulls said.