Police, council and other authorities should be invited onto a task group to find solutions to road rage between motorists and cyclists.
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That’s the view of Orange City councillor and cyclist Stephen Nugent who will raise the issue with council.
The move follows a call for peace from cyclist Simon Wright who had a one-litre bottle of water hurled at him and fellow cyclist Ian Reed by an angry motorist on Moulder Street this month.
Cr Nugent proposed a group would be given between six and 12 months to come up with ideas.
“There is a bicycling community committee of council,” he said.
“But I don’t think that’s the most appropriate forum. What we need is a broader body with wider reach.
“It is really a road safety committee issue. We need the involvement of police.
“We are looking at a community education campaign to encourage everyone on the road, both motorists and cyclists, to see it as a shared facility.
“There is a need for increased acceptance of cyclists on the road. I will raise it with council.”
Cr Nugent said that while he hadn’t experienced road rage while cycling he was concerned.
“There have been times when I’m riding out on the more open roads cars can come past a little bit quick. You do feel vulnerable,” he said.
“One of the biggest challenges is negotiating roundabouts.”
Cr Nugent said cycling should be encouraged as an everyday activity in Orange.
“I’d love to see more people riding to work, riding to school and riding to the shops,” he said.
Following the road rage incident the Central Western Daily ran an online poll asking whether motorists were treating cyclists fairly.
An overwhelming 76 per cent of respondents said cyclists were not treated fairly.
The road rage story also inspired diverse comments at centralwesterndaily.com.au, with ‘Saxon Beagle’ calling for restrictions on cyclists.
“I believe that there need to be restrictions placed on the use of bicycles outside of the city limits where their use is not warranted,” he wrote.
However ‘Splash’ argued cycling promoted fitness. “I apologise to all of those who are troubled by cyclists using their roads,” the comment read.
“We are clearly in the wrong for leaving our cars in their garages and going out into the countryside to appreciate the beauty of this district, get fresh air into our lungs, and try our best to keep our brains and bodies in good health.”