State Government will not introduce MPDL in Victoria

Bicycle Network is disappointed following today's announcement that the Victorian Government will not follow recommendations made by a parliamentary inquiry and introduce minimum passing distance laws (MPDL) in the state this year.  

In responding to the Inquiry into the Road Safety Road Rules 2009 (Overtaking Bicycles) Bill 2015, the Victorian Government has outlined a two-stage approach to reduce the crash rate for __bike riders and promote a 'safe zone' around cyclists. 

The first stage involves a year long community education campaign designed to change motorists’ behaviours and attitudes towards cyclists. The campaign will be evaluated to examine the community’s response, its preparedness for a rule change and road safety outcomes, crash rates, road user behaviour and perceptions of safety. 

The second stage comprises a trial of a minimum passing distance laws. However, the trial will only go forward if the community education campaign is ineffective. 

Bicycle Network Chief Executive Officer Craig Richards reiterated his disappointment in today’s announcement. 

“We are disappointed that the Victorian Government isn’t following the lead of other states turning MPDL into legislation,” Mr Richards said.

“It’s clear that bike riders want a MPDL and today’s announcement is a huge missed opportunity to bring Victoria into line and further reduce to the risk to __bike riders on our roads.”

While Bicycle Network believes an education campaign is important, we're also concerned that unless the education campaign incorporates strong behaviour change elements, it could be a wasteful use of limited government resources. 

"At the end of the day, we want the best outcome for all road users and we hope that the government's new education campaign is strongly tied to behaviour change methodology." 

"Studies show that in isolation, mass education/awareness campaign are not an effective way to create real behavioural change," Mr Richards added. 

If the new Labor government in WA makes good on their election promise to introduce minimum passing distance laws, Victoria will be the only state without MPDL.