UPDATED: Proposed amendments to the Australian Road Rules were put into the public domain in August last year – and some of them are akin to decreeing that ducks no longer have to wear pants.
A good example is Rule 245, which dictates that cyclists must sit at all times while riding: yes, until now you weren't supposed to stand on your pedals ... even when going uphill!
The proposed amendment “will align the road rules with current cycling practices” by permitting this practice, as would the new Rule 262A allowing cyclists to proceed at red or yellow traffic lights – but only when a green bicycle light is displayed.
Indeed, cyclists are the primary subject of rule changes as the National Transport Commission (NTC) scrambles to catch up with the proliferation of bike paths, the users of which would be exempt from Rules 98 and 99 enforcing compliance with One Way and Keep Left/Right signs.
Also, adult cyclists with medical conditions would be allowed to ride on footpaths under amendments to Rule 250.
Motorcyclists would also be winners in the commonsense stakes if allowed to remove their helmets when pushing a bike that does not have its engine running under Rule 270.
And proposed amendments to Rule 271 would also allowed bikers to remove their feet from the footrests while in motion, either to stretch their legs to relieve cramps or to allow better balance and control while riding on rough and uneven surfaces.
Finally, it’s hard to argue with the proposed change to Rule 300 – which disallows making or taking video calls from mobile phones while driving hands-free – but the proliferation of video advertising next to NSW roads suggests there might yet be a conflict in the offing.
Public submissions closed on September 3 and amendments were considered by the Transport and Infrastructure Senior Officials' Committee (TISOC) on September 18 then forwarded to the Transport and Infrastructure Council on November 6.
A good example is Rule 245, which dictates that cyclists must sit at all times while riding: yes, until now you weren't supposed to stand on your pedals ... even when going uphill!
The proposed amendment “will align the road rules with current cycling practices” by permitting this practice, as would the new Rule 262A allowing cyclists to proceed at red or yellow traffic lights – but only when a green bicycle light is displayed.
Indeed, cyclists are the primary subject of rule changes as the National Transport Commission (NTC) scrambles to catch up with the proliferation of bike paths, the users of which would be exempt from Rules 98 and 99 enforcing compliance with One Way and Keep Left/Right signs.
Also, adult cyclists with medical conditions would be allowed to ride on footpaths under amendments to Rule 250.
Motorcyclists would also be winners in the commonsense stakes if allowed to remove their helmets when pushing a bike that does not have its engine running under Rule 270.
And proposed amendments to Rule 271 would also allowed bikers to remove their feet from the footrests while in motion, either to stretch their legs to relieve cramps or to allow better balance and control while riding on rough and uneven surfaces.
Finally, it’s hard to argue with the proposed change to Rule 300 – which disallows making or taking video calls from mobile phones while driving hands-free – but the proliferation of video advertising next to NSW roads suggests there might yet be a conflict in the offing.
Public submissions closed on September 3 and amendments were considered by the Transport and Infrastructure Senior Officials' Committee (TISOC) on September 18 then forwarded to the Transport and Infrastructure Council on November 6.
