When discussing the challenges of driving a big rig on unfamiliar roads, grey nomads will normally mention road trains and kangaroos … but are cyclists a potential problem? Long-term traveller Gerry G thinks so, and here he explains why.
Too many cyclists expect full rights to the roads but expect vehicles to break the law by having to cross over double white lines to pass them.
Recently, on a narrow, hilly and winding road in Tasmania, I came up behind two females peddling leisurely along a very long section of road marked with a double white line. The first one left the road to allow me to pass but the second one wouldn’t.
She had all the intentions of exercising her rights as a cyclist and started to indicate with her arm for me to pass and consequently cross over the double white lines. She was watching me in her mirrors and shaking her head in apparent disbelief that I wouldn’t do what obviously others do and just pass her, regardless of the law.
What she doesn’t understand is that I was driving a five-tonne ton bus towing a two-tonne trailer and as I had lost all my momentum. I had no chance of passing, even if I was prepared to break the law and risk the lives of my 20 passengers. (At her pace, I had been reduced to first gear and 3 to 4 kph.)
After some time and a few kilometres later, I finally had a small section of broken white line that indicated it may be safe to pass. By this stage I had quite a few vehicles building up behind me, so because of her “rights” a dangerous situation was evolving.
The worst part is the fact that, unlike vehicles that are expected to share the road, she has no identification what so ever. Being a cyclist, she doesn’t even need to have a licence so unless she has a car licence, she wont have studied the road rules, to sit for a test to be here like the rest of us!
My issue is that cyclists should give way to motor vehicles when double white lines are present, for the safety of all. What do other drivers think?
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– Grey nomad Pat D responds by saying that new laws for motorists passing cyclists have been passed in Queensland.
This law is a first in Australia and is being trialled in Queensland for 2 years. The aim is to improve safety for cyclists on our roads.
These new road rules apply to all motor vehicles—including cars, motorcycles, heavy vehicles and public transport vehicles.
