30th October 2023
Interesting looking online at the South Australian road toll on the South Australian Police website (Safer Communities) it gives you the current and past ‘road statistics’ for South Australia.
The current fatalities toll for South Australia stands at 93 compared to 71 for the year ending 2022. These fatalities are not just statistics as they are someone’s brother, sister, son, daughter, mother, father, grandparent, husband or wife. Yes they become a statistic but they are a human-being that has paid the ultimate price with their life on the road.
We the Port Pirie Cycle Club know too well how this affects communities, families and friends with the passing of two loved and respected members of the Club in 7 years. Steve Eberhard in March 2016 and now John Dennis in October of this year. Both lost their lives through no fault of their own doing what they loved which was cycling.
The very successful Port Pirie Cycling Club was established in 1897 with its former club rooms built by its members on the Port Germein Road.
A number of road races were organised and run by the club with riders participating from all over the state. The ‘Annual Tour of the North’ commenced in the mid 1930’s, the ‘Higgins’ road race in the mid-1940’s, and the ‘Mannix’ in the early 1970’s.
The Port Pirie Cycle Club currently has 40 ‘life’ members and has had many ‘notable’ cyclists as members with some of those names still prominent in the club today.
While rich in track and road racing history, the club currently confines its activities to social riding three times a week around Port Pirie as well as social gatherings.
Although now not participating in road racing we are still a very proud club and we do understand that ‘road’ riding can be dangerous with our very light 2 wheeled bikes mixing with larger motorised vehicles on the road but cycling is a passion, it is addictive and it should be without risk to life.
The Port Pirie Cycle Club currently has members (riders) ranging in age from their thirties right up to the oldest being eighty seven and they enjoy riding on the road and most of all each other’s company for 1.5 hours a day on the road three times a week. It’s not just riding, its companionship, friendship and great for mental health to have these mostly retired guys enjoy each other’s company 3 times a week riding together and then enjoying a coffee after.
New laws were introduced in to South Australia in 2015 requiring road users to distance themselves from cyclists when overtaking….
‘South Australia has become the first state or territory of Australia to introduce a permanent, minimum passing distance when overtaking cyclists.
From October 25, 2015 South Australian road users will be required to leave at least one metre when overtaking cyclists on roads with speed limits up to and including 60km/h. On roads with higher speed limits, the minimum passing distance will be 1.5 metres.’
While most drivers adhere to these rules, there are those who find it difficult and continually put cyclists at risk when overtaking. Too often we hear the debate about cyclists having to have their bikes ‘registered’ and the rider ‘licenced’ which is unreasonable due to the vast number of bicycles in family households ridden by both adults and school children. Registration and licencing does not make cycling safer.
These bikes we ride are light weight and range in cost upwards of $3000.00 each and any mishaps by both riders and drivers on the road can have a catastrophic impact on the group if one rider is to have a fall. Our riders generally wear bright colours and it is mandatory as per the SA road rules and our club for cyclists to have a ‘bright’ rear flashing tail light fitted and working when riding on the road.
The Port Pirie Cycle Club is aware of the ‘duress’ a group of bikes may put on drivers as they come up behind the bikes but we are continually talking and advising from the rear that a car is approaching and changing the formation to allow the vehicle to pass safely. We are continually looking for safer route options to ride so as to not impact on the public but these are limited due to road conditions. Remember, we are licenced car drivers as well but show patience when approaching a group of bike riders on out travels around our state.
When you look at other areas of the state where road cycling is done you will see signage stating ‘Caution Cyclists in this Area’ as well as bike paths/tracks for both cyclists and pedestrians. Signage is great but non-existent around our region and although ‘paths’ are a good idea, they do not always satisfy the needs of road cyclists. On several occasions following the loss of life of one of our members in 2016, we have contacted the Port Pirie Regional Council about the risks to cyclists and have asked for signage to be erected on council ‘owned’ roads but to no avail. This latest fatality was on a council ‘owned’ road.
I am told, pre 2016 there was a meeting set up with Bicycle SA, the Port Pirie Regional Council and the Port Pirie Cycle Club to look at the needs of this region to make cycling safer and a report was written and handed to the Port Pirie Regional Council. This report will be followed up on to see what actions were identified and how many were completed.
Following our most recent loss of life while cycling, we reached out to the Hon Geoff Brock MP who spoke from the ‘heart’ to the Port Pirie Cycle Club members the day after the tragedy and has given an undertaking to help in the ‘fight’ to make cycling safer for the Port Pirie Community which includes locals, visitors, tourists and the Port Pirie Cycle Club.
Bicycle SA, an Adelaide based South Australian organisation which has a vision to have more people cycling in South Australia was also contacted and a meeting was held between myself and CEO Brett Gillett to discuss what options are available through their help to make cycling safer in this region. We agreed to set up a meeting in Port Pirie with a number of key ‘stake holders’ to be invited to attend.
Brett Gillett agreed, signage is great but it is only the start, separation and education are the key to keeping cyclists safe on the roads. Adelaide and some regional parts of South Australia have well designed bike paths and a network of bike lanes on suburban streets, Port Pirie is lacking in both.
Bicycle SA:
Bicycle SA is the peak body for recreational and commuter cycling in this state. Our mission is to get more people cycling in South Australia.
We strive to make it easier for everyone to ride a bike. We believe in the benefits that cycling contributes to our health, wellbeing, happiness and for the environment.
Each year we engage more than 70,000 ride participants through the delivery of year-round programs and events. Bicycle SA is the state's largest non-government provider of cycle tourism, operating spectacular cycling holidays, tours and events all showcasing the best of South Australia.
When you join the Bicycle SA community you’re also helping us strengthen the fight for better riding conditions, better infrastructure and cycling legislation.
There is no easy solution to this cycling safety problem but following discussions with the Hon Geoff Brock MP and Brett Gillett, CEO of Bicycle SA we have decided to organise a meeting in Port Pirie with the Port Pirie Cycle Club, the Port Pirie Lord Mayor Leon Stephens, Hon Geoff Brock MP and Bicycle SA CEO Brett Gillett to collaboratively find a way forward to make cycling safer for locals and visitors to the Port Pire community.
Regards,
Brenton
President Port Pirie Cycle Club
0417823057
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