PPCC Communication
December 2020
Hi all….Welcome to the December 2020 edition of the PPCC Communication.
November 2020:
November as with October has seen some great weather for riding with good numbers out during the week as well as Saturday. Three groups now appears to be the ‘norm’ which gives everyone the option for which ride they wish to participate in. It would be great to see more numbers tackle the longer Abattoirs Road course but it’s your ride and your choice.
AGM:
With the changes to the Covid rules in SA (numbers at private residences) scheduled for Monday 14th December, the PPCC AGM has been set down for Saturday 19th December at 11:00am at Bronte and Kerry’s. Morning tea provided by the club. See you there. It looks very much like our Secretary will make it home from NSW in time for our AGM. Welcome home Peter and Vicky-ann for your Christmas break.
As with all of our AGM’s all ‘office bearer’ positions will be declared ‘vacant’ with nominations taken to fill the positions for the next 12 months. Consider a position, take an active role. Please give it some thought prior to the AGM.
Membership Fees:
PPCC Membership fees will be due at the time of the AGM. Fees are an agenda item for the AGM but hopefully they will be the same as ‘2019/20’ - Single $20, Pensioner $10 payable to the treasurer at the AGM.
PPCC Members Christmas Lunch:
As per my email and attached flier to members on the 21st November, the PPCC members Christmas lunch will be held on Sunday 20th December as advised.
BikeSA:
Please check your BikeSA memberships as it’s about this time of the year you may find it is up for renewal. Renewal can be completed on the BikeSA website, by phone or ‘snail mail’. As per previous years, forward your receipt to our Treasurer for reimbursement of the fees.
As a Bike SA member you can participate in their organised rides. Contact Bike SA or check their web site.
(08 8168 9999) (office@bikesa.asn.au)
Club Captains Concerns:
Following today’s ride (10th December) our club captain/ride leader raised some issues around riding on the roads as a group. I was a little disappointed that Hugh was given every reason why a group can ride like they do and it appeared that his concerns were not taken too seriously. Given the events of March 2016, I think we all have a part to play in making sure all who ride with our club rides in a safe manner and listens to those who have been nominated and accepted the roles of ‘Ride Leaders’. It was a great discussion following Hugh’s concerns but what each and every one of us does, reflects on everyone who rides a bicycle.
Motorists are angry enough with having to follow rules that relate to passing Cyclists on the roads and we all can play a part in trying to be a little more flexible when someone lets the group know there is a ‘car back’. Yes we do have rights on the road and sometimes we get ‘abused’ even when riding single file to accommodate a passing motorist but it’s going to be one of those ‘angry’ motorists who causes us some physical harm. Thank you Hugh for raising these issues.
This is a good ‘Segway’ into an article that was written in last week’s Sunday Mail about Cyclists.
PEDAL PESTS: (Miles Kemp, Sunday Mail 6th December 2020)
“EXCLUSIVE – Cyclists flouting rules nearly doubles in five years”
“The number of cyclists caught breaking road rules has soured 86 percent in the past five years. The increase coincides with greater cycling freedom, beginning in 2015 when adults were first permitted to ride on footpaths. Records show that last financial year police issued 11,835 fines or cautions to cyclists – up from 6,350 in 2014-15. The total value of fines also jumped from $482,000 to $874,960 in the same period. The findings have prompted authorities to warn cyclists to do the right thing. RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said “Cyclists are vulnerable road users so they should take every precaution to keep themselves safe from injury or worse” he said. Most fines in 2019-20 were for riding without a helmet or appropriate lighting (white front light, red rear light).
The relaxation of laws in 2015 also allowed cyclists to ride rather than push their bikes across a marked foot crossing, a children’s school crossing or a pedestrian crossing. Soon after, motorists were required to keep at least 1m from a cyclist when overtaking when the speed limit was 60km/h or under and 1.5m when the limit was above 60km/h. Last year, bicycle helmet laws were tightened to ensure they were in “good repair and proper working order”. But figures also show that, as well and stricter enforcement of rules, police were are using their power to caution and educate cyclists rather than fine them. In 2014-15, there were 3,385 fines issued and 2,965 cautions but in the 2019-20 financial year, 5,668 fines compared to 6,167 cautions.
Police and RAA have also criticised motorists who put cyclists’ lives in danger. Mr Mountain said police figures showed 152 motorists were caught driving in a bike lane and another 33 failed to keep a safe distance when passing a cyclist last financial year”. (Miles Kemp, Sunday Mail, Pages one and six, 6th December 2020)
Have your say:
This is your newsletter as well so email your article to me and I will add it to the monthly newsletters and our web site.
Ie: Coming events, cycling news articles, items for sale/wanted etc. Please email me anything you would like to contribute’ J
Merry Christmas:
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year to all PPCC members and their families and hopefully 2021 will be a better year for all.
Be safe, consider others and enjoy your riding.
Cheers,
Brenton
0417823057
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