Stay Wider of the Rider, A personal Perspective

This well-recognised campaign has had some effect.

New Laws Being Trialed in Queensland from April 7
On Monday morning this week a two year trial of some new road rules, designed to protect cyclists (and hopefully educate motorists) came into effect. To tell you the truth my Tuesday ride came and went without giving this fact much thought, however this morning something was different. Now I will admit that one ride "does not make a summer (or winter)" and the experiences of other riders may be different but; as I rode this morning I noticed something, NOT ONCE did a driver come within a metre of my right elbow! Car after car seemed to be taking a wide birth.


Now I don't think this was me simply looking for some positive effect of the new laws, as I was completely oblivious to the date (two days after the laws took effect) as I headed out at 5am. With each wide-passing car (even utes gave me space) I felt a growing sense of hope, just maybe this may be the tipping point.....a law! Other things began to happen, I found myself thanking motorists as they passed and I began to instinctively move left to give THEM more room, this was getting weird.


I had felt much skepticism with the introduction of these new laws, surely they wouldn't, couldn't help. This feeling was strengthened by a shameful piece on a commercial news program on Sunday night that fed the protest mentality by showing how "farcical" these new laws were. But maybe, just maybe there is hope and the combination of law & education may soon tip the scales. Either way, this morning gave me a fantastic little insight into just how wonderful (and painless) a shared road experience can be.


Now I know there will be hiccups and yes I WAS on my own and therefore taking up very little space. But I refuse to see it as anything other than a glimmer of hope, because this morning something was different and that's a hell of a good start.


The clip below is the educational video screened widely on social media prior to the introduction of the new trial laws.

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