New Law Fines Motorists $342 for Drifting into Bike Lane

[hotbike]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/law-hands-cyclists-pole-position/2008/06/21/1214009167355.html

Frank Walker
June 22, 2008

Critics see red as laws hand bikes pole position

"DRIVERS and cyclists could be on a collision course over road rules that, from July 1, put bicycles at the head of the queue at traffic lights.

New laws hit drivers with tough three-demerit-point penalties and fines of $342 if their cars drift into special bicycle waiting zones to be installed at many intersections across the metropolitan area.

The zone, called a bicycle storage zone by the Roads and Traffic Authority, will be a painted square on the road across the inside lane at traffic lights. It will allow cyclists to ride to the front of cars waiting in the inside lane, then to stand and wait inside the zone for the lights to change.

If it is in a school zone, drivers who enter the painted cycle zone will be up for four demerit points and a $405 fine.

The RTA said the laws would bring NSW into line with other states.

But some road safety groups are concerned that bicycles being given pole position at traffic lights could cause problems for drivers..."

[st0ut]

good day mate

[maddyfish]

I get the pole position at stop lights already.

[familyguy]

Yeah, we've been discussing this around these parts. Why should something that brings Sydney into line with world best practice on cycling leave people fuming?? The vitriol from 'drivers' is astounding. Nine times out of ten you'll pass them at the next lights and beat them to their destination anyway, so what is five seconds of waiting for a bike to get up to speed and pass the stationary cars 200 metres up the road?

Edit: the fine is for stopping in the 'bike box', not for drifting into a marked bike lane. The box is at the head of the queue at the lights, for cyclists to gather and make a safe getaway in traffic.

Jim