We've just passed the Winter Solstice, which means that it's time for Bicycle Victoria's annual Light Up blitz. And faced with no improvement in the number of cyclists riding in the dark without lights, BV is calling for a doubling of the penalty for riding without lights. That's one 'penalty point' (which currently incurs a $108 fine).
Bicycle Victoria volunteers surveyed seven locations around the CBD between 5pm and 7pm over the period 11 to 15 June 2007.
The survey found 28% of cyclists riding at night with inadequate lights, 9% had no lights, a further 10% ride with a rear light only and 9% are riding with a front light only.
The survey showed that riders on St Kilda Road are more likely to have lights with more than 82% of riders had both front and rear lights.
On the other hand, 51% of the riders on Brunswick St had inadequate lights. The result in this location is 10% worse than last year.
I see what they mean: those results are far too much like last year's figures.
I didn't see this report in the major dailies, but the Bendigo Advertiser and the Geelong Advertiser both gave it a run.
Well Dave, (as I've said elsewhere) it must be some kind of intelligence test: weigh the cost of standard set of lights (roughly equal to the cost of one fine for not having lights) against your personal safety. Then if you think lights are too expensive, you're a bloody moron.
As others have rightly pointed out, lack of enforcement not the size of the fine would seem to be the problem.
Comments
It's pretty bad that people can't be bothered taking basic steps to look after their own safety considering how certain it is that it will be dark early this time of year and how cheap a basic set of 'be seen' lights are. I wish I had some idea of how to improve matters. I don't think increasing fines is really that way to go, but maybe there are no other options.