Let’s talk: Who needs to give way for safer roads?

A cyclist group has posted a video of a car ploughing into a pair of riders on a road in Perth, an incident that fortunately caused no serious injuries. However, it has triggered a heated debate on Cycle.org.au’s Facebook page about road rights and wrongs.

The video, which you can view below, was captured by a cyclist’s two wheel-mounted safety cameras. As you’ll see, a number of cars go safely around the group, some of whom are riding side by side on Morrison Road Midland, near Perth in Western Australia.

Then one car veers into the group in a jerky manner, knocking over a number of cyclists before speeding away.

The implication of the Facebook post is that the vehicle’s driver intentionally clipped the cyclists after becoming frustrated. The post says, “This is a horrible crime, a Hit’n’Run is a most disgusting way to treat another human being. If you hurt someone, you own your error, you ensure everyone is OK and you deal with it”.

Apparently some of the cyclists caught up with the car, recorded the registration number and reported the accident to police.

“More importantly the riders are OK, cuts, bruises and a little missing bark, but they are fine,” says the Facebook post.

If Cycle was hoping for support for its video, organisers must be disappointed with the result. Hundreds of people have commented on the video, many saying the cyclists are at fault. In reply, the page owners repeat that commenters need to check the road rules, and that cyclists can legally ride side by side. In fact, they say, police departments and transport authorities around Australia recommend it for safety.

Among the bike haters are many riders who are understandably shocked at the car-driver’s behaviour and call for action, ranging from education on road rules to signage and improved bike lanes.

Let’s talk: Are you a cyclist or a motorist? We’d love to know your thoughts on how to make the road safer for all. Share your thoughts below.