Thursday 30 May 2013

A Far North Queensland tour company is taking the 'Share the Road' cyclist safety campaign to the streets, with 12 buses in the fleet to become mobile message boards.

The 1m by 1m black and gold signage will make a bold statement on the rear of each bus, featuring an illustration and the wording, '1.5 Metres Matters, Sharing Saves Lives'.

The buses form part of Down Under Tours' fleet, with tours covering hundreds of kilometres of Far North Queensland roads, including Cairns, Kuranda, the Tablelands, Mossman Gorge, Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

It's a timely reminder to Far North Queensland motorists, with the region a sports tourism hub, particularly for cycling events. The Cairns Airport Adventure Festival kicks off this weekend, with changed traffic conditions for the Coral Coast Triathlon and RRR Mountain Bike Challenge this Sunday, June 2, and next weekend.

James Dixon, Down Under Tours Director of Sales and Marketing, said, “cyclists must obey the road rules, stay in the bike lanes and use the appropriate safety equipment...In the same way, cars and heavy vehicles need to respect cyclists – 1.5 metres matters!"

With a number of the Down Under Tours team avid cyclists, their efforts are part of a recent push for increased road safety awareness statewide. In state parliament last Thursday, Member for Moggill Bruce Flegg called for a mandatory one metre minimum passing distance for cars overtaking cyclists on Queensland roads in state parliament last Thursday.

"It is important to remember that every person riding a bike is somebody’s loved one and they are expecting them home tonight,” Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon's comments come as the cycling community mourns the loss of one of its
own, after the death of Manunda cyclist Tanya Roneberg. The 37 year-old was hit by a car as she was cycling near Thomatis Creek on the Captain Cook Highway, north of Cairns. Following her death, more than 1000 people rode from Cairns to Trinity Beach in a part memorial ride, part road safety campaign.

Ms Roneberg is the third cyclist killed on Queensland roads this year, with the same number of fatalities last year. 

Thor Stovell, cyclist and owner of local bike shop PD Bikeworks, said Down Under Tours was making a "brave move".

"I think it's a step in the right direction for road safety for cyclists and motorists."

Mr Stovell said with the government unable to provide safety infrastructure outside of cities and towns, road users have to share.

"It's about being aware...on every road, around every corner, there may be a cyclist, and drivers need to compensate...When you come upon a cyclist, move out 1.5m, or if you can't move around, just wait," he advised.

"Whether or not you like cyclists, it's about concern," he said, "drivers need to think,  what if that was my son, daughter, mother or father?"

The new Down Under Tour safety signage will be seen on company buses from tomorrow morning.