What's with SA bicycle laws? Were they written by Nanna's

Hi all, first post for me.
My name is Matt and I'm a rider of 30years+ . I consider myself to be quite experienced. I come from a mtb background. I've done crits etc.
I have never really talked about issues i face on the road as i have just put up with sheer madness and have concentrated on back roads and pretty much any method to avoiding cars.
I consider riding on main roads to be very dangerous. I've had many friends knocked off including myself. Two of my best friends experienced brain damage as a result. One, Peter was almost killed and has never recovered.
I'm on a mission at the moment. I have a big problem with bicycle lanes on main roads. I believe they are actually exposing riders to dangerous situations due to their construction. There are many issues which you are probably aware of. IE Dooring, vanishing lanes, etc
Any who...
i'm praddling on.. 
Basically I'm doing some work on creating bicycle freeways. Where bikes have true protection when riding. Its early stages and i'll keep you posted. 
In working on the concept i thought i would have a peek at the road rules for bikes.
WTF!!!!!    Who wrote them?
So i constructed a letter to dtei.enquiries@sa.gov.au . Here"s how it goes:
Hi, just thought I would read the bicycle laws for SA. For fun : )
 
Gotta say this would have to be the most pathetic set of rules I've ever read. It was obviously written by people who have never ridden a bike.
Its like my mum wrote these rules. 
"Must have a bell or horn" really?? Am I three
Not allowed to ride on footpath if over 12 years old. ??   I'm 37 and have a child who is 6. When I ride with him, I ride on the footpath for his safety. I'm breaking the law. This is just ridiculous. 
I often ride on the footpath for my own safety...   Why have this rule in the first place?  Really.... How many fatal accidents are caused by bicycles on footpaths?  What you should really be asking how many fatal accidents are due to people being forced to use the road in dangerous situations.
"Riding and Seating Position: When riding, you must face forward and be in a seat or positions designed for travelling on a bicycle" where do i start. its basically a rule for rule sake. Why even have it. 
This rule is good: Bicycle lanes are for the exclusive use of bicycle riders. But it is undone by this rule: Other road users are permitted to use a bicycle lane only when: overtaking a vehicle turning right. Why have a bike lane in the first place if drivers are allowed to do this.
By reading the rules, It seems like bike lanes are there so riders would stay out of the way of cars. 
How do we go about getting these rules fixed.

-- 
Regards Matt

 

 

As you can see i praddle on a bit. 

What i wanted to know from forum members is; has anyone else read these rules and do you think they are a crock too?

Also has anyone suggested changing them to the government? I want to know if i barking up the wrong tree..

Regards Matt

 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by heather on July 30, 2012 at 0:29

David, motorised vehicles are permitted to travel in a bicycle lane before turning left. Public buses and taxis may legally stop (but not park) in bicycle lanes.

Permalink Reply by David Bowler on July 30, 2012 at 0:56

Yes, but they must still give way to bicycles already in the bicycle lane as they would to any other vehicles  when changing lanes into another traffic lane.

Permalink Reply by Alasdair McLellan on July 30, 2012 at 7:35

However, this does hinder the ability of the cyclist travelling up the lane whilst the other vehicle is stopped in it to use it.

Permalink Reply by heather on July 30, 2012 at 9:23

David, observe the bicycle lanes blocked by vehicles waiting to turn left when the cyclist wants to continue straight on.

Permalink Reply by David Bowler on July 31, 2012 at 16:50

Heather/Alasdair,

My original response was in relation to motor vehicles using the bike lane to overtake vehicles turning right.  Usually in this scenario, providing they give way to bicycles in the bike lane first (we know that does not always happen), they quickly pass the right turning vehicle and do not obstruct cyclists.  I totally agree with you both that the other scenarios you mention do create a problem for cyclists.  For left turning vehicles, the rule should be for bicycle lanes to be treated as a keep clear zone and only entered when the vehicle can safely get across it without stopping (after giving way to any cyclists already in the lane)

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