For those that didn’t see it, Jill Singer this month produced an article for the Herald-Sun ‘Lycra louts a law unto themselves’ (Herald-Sun 08 April2010) supporting the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) call for Cyclist licensing and bicycle registration.

It really is a worry that apparently intelligent and experienced journalists can put together such puerile rubbish as Singers article. What is even worse is that the article was actually published after passing any sort of editorial process; this does not reflect very well on the Herald-Sun.

Singers’ rant about irresponsible cyclists whilst calling for licensing and bike registration has all the hallmarks perhaps of a desire to seek confrontation and conflict as a means of self promotion. Perhaps she has been taking lessons from Andrew Bolt, that doyen of polarised opinions who writes for the same paper.

Jill, the Minister (Tim Pallas) has already written off the ideas espoused by yourself as ‘having merit’ and has stated that we don’t want to be the only place in the world to impose yet another level of bureaucracy through bicycle registration. Yes Jill, riding your bicycle to work benefits both riders and the environment but if increased rider numbers are creating ‘havoc’ perhaps we need to provide better infrastructure and more room on the roads for them.

Yes Jill, some riders occasionally break road laws, as do pedestrians and oh what a shock, car drivers. If cyclists are caught breaking road laws they are subject, like car drivers, to prosecution. What sort of license are you proposing Jill and do we need to go to bicycle training? Certainly training and road awareness for children and ‘some’ cyclists would seem to be a good idea though.

On children, do we issue provisional licences for 10 year olds? For adults are you perhaps proposing an endorsement on individuals existing car license to allow them to ride a bicycle on the road; and if people already have a motor-car license, what exactly is the point to the discussion? If pedestrians continue to break the law via jay-walking, perhaps you can license them also? Jill, the last time Beach Road Cyclist checked, the minimum speed limits on roads were 40, 50 or 60 km/h depending where and when. Not too many cyclists can ride in excess of 40 and especially 50 km/h for very long which makes one wonder exactly what your definition of ‘extraordinary’ speed means?

Clearly cyclists are not going to be breaking the speed limit very often and with regard to a speed not ‘dangerous’ to the public, even 20 km/h on a bicycle path can be dangerous explaining why most riders stick to the road. Jill, what exactly is the point of bicycle registration and do we put big number plates on bikes? Most cyclists pay registration already for cars and taxes have a lot to do with road construction and maintenance. Do we register BMX’s also and what about scooters and skate boards?

Jill, increased numbers of both cars and bicycles is the prime driver for frustration and intolerance on the roads and your article does not do you credit as a journalist. The emotive puerility of the piece and your demonisation of cyclists may only serve to compound such frustration and exacerbate conflict. With this quality of reporting and potential to inflame the situation, it is little wonder that no less than Cadel Evans (you know, World Road Champion) has stated that Australia is one of the worst places in the world to ride a bicycle!

A question for you Jill and with all respect for the tragedy involving James Gould, when was the last time a car driver was killed by a cyclist? You attempt to demonise cyclists as ‘louts’ yet ignore the reality of cyclists and pedestrians being killed by cars, trucks and buses with monotonous regularity. Jill, if you think going to the dentist is more fun than riding to work, by all means, go to the dentist!

From the Pulpit