Dashcam Driver Aids Rider and Helps with Arrest

Robert Clarke, 59, suffered grazes and bruises. It is remarkable that he wasn’t very badly hurt. The video can be viewed here. Trigger warning. (Source: ABC News)

The driver who took this footage deserves our thanks

“Big thanks to the driver! You stopped to ensure the cyclist was okay. Then you sent witness evidence of the hit-and-run to the police,’ said Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean.

“But are the police going to press charges? Or are they waiting to ensure they charge her with the more significant charges? Why should someone be released without charge for committing such a serious offence?”

Most drivers see the person, not the bike, and share the road safely.

But unfortunately a few discriminate based on transport modes- That’s right, whether or not there’s a word for it, anti-bike-ism is a thing. And some regard cyclists like cockroaches. Whilst in this manufactured road space hierarchy, vehicles rule and bicycles are subordinate, or non-existent. With the result being driver entitlement and, inevitably, traffic violence.

Entitlement gone berserk. Bike remnants after being dragged 100m beneath the offenders car

“It’s confronting to watch,” said Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “But this is not isolated to Melbourne. Our bicycle advocacy team regularly receives reports of similar driver behaviour. In this case, the car has been used as a weapon. There are zero excuses for road violence. We therefore expect that the perpetrator will receive a custodial sentence.”

Permission to behave badly is designed into the streetscape

Everyday road violence is a problem structured into the fabric of Australian society. Whilst we glorify cars, little or no attention is given to pedestrians or bike riders. So, after 80 years of planning based on cars, we’re left with streetscapes hostile to pedestrians and cyclists. And a motor-normative mindset woven into the fabric of society. It follows that permission is given for car-related behaviours that in any other sphere would be socially unacceptable.

Carnage is ***CAR*nage right?**

Australians rightly regard war deaths as abhorrent and to be avoided at all costs. But whilst 13 years of the Vietnam War claimed 523 Australians, just last year, 1187 people were killed on our roads. Carnage is carnage right? So why is it that Australian road deaths are tolerated when they are so avoidable with better street design? It comes down to priorities. Other countries, meanwhile, are approaching Vision Zero fatalities by prioritising pedestrians and bikes over cars.

Company apologises for ‘inappropriate’ anti-bike tally decal (Image credit, Road.CC)

Streets for cars bring out the worst in people

Car-centric street design gives rise to an urban ugliness and driver entitlement which periodically spills into violence. Whilst the sight of an angry cyclist may be a meme-worthy rarity, road rage is deadly. So is the casual road violence of close passing and punishment passing - the cold decision to squeeze a bike off the road. Or simply scare them for being there.

Marketed for a war zone: ‘The ultimate URBAN WARRIOR’ (Ford Escort ad)

With better design that puts people first, our roads needn’t be war zones

“Car culture and the hostile road environment doesn’t excuse driver aggression. First we need to acknowledge that roadspace must be reallocated fairly. The streets are for all road users, not just the big and powerful. This requires a commitment at every level to improve infrastructure. We also have to educate, legislate and enforce safer streets,” says Peter McLean.

Collect your cappuccino (and maybe a kid) in the all new Tundra- (Tom Flood)

Why protected bicycle infrastructure is crucial

Just like sexism, racism or transphobia, the othering of bicycle riders occurs when one culture dominates. But in the case of a mode of transport, cyclists are immediately free from disrespect and danger the moment we’re off our bikes. This is why so few women ride compared to men- After all, why take the double hit from gender and traffic violence? It is also why 64% of women prefer the safety of separated cycleways. Without adequate infrastructure, many women simply don’t ride.

Creating safe spaces for bicycle riders changes everything (Image credit: Better Streets)

Whether you walk, ride, wheel or drive, you will benefit from Better Streets

The road to social acceptance of bike riding for utility is incredibly diverse. In order to get there as a society, we need to create safe spaces for bicycle riders of all ages and abilities.

Whilst we now have some great active transport strategies, we need decision-makers to get on board to supercharge changes to our streets so people walking and rolling are prioritised.

So, for our health, safety, and in order to decarbonise 23% emissions that come from millions of unnecessary short car trips, elevate the Better Streets campaign in your community.