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Shared safety on roads focus

Catherine MasseyBusselton Dunsborough Times
Geographe Cycle Club members Price Grey, David Gardner, Keith Scott, Frank Dickinson, Bob Shine, Rod Withers, Betty Evans, Vince Edwards, Norm Burgess, and Robert Tognela.
Camera IconGeographe Cycle Club members Price Grey, David Gardner, Keith Scott, Frank Dickinson, Bob Shine, Rod Withers, Betty Evans, Vince Edwards, Norm Burgess, and Robert Tognela. Credit: Catherine Massey/Pic: Catherine Massey, Catherine Massey

Bad blood between drivers and cyclists has led to some interesting signs appearing along Bussell Highway as part of the City of Busselton’s Share the Rural Road project.

The City received funding for the project in July in an attempt to boost driver awareness of cyclists on rural roads and increase cyclist confidence while sharing the road with vehicles. Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said pedestrians and cyclists were vulnerable road users with little or no protection in the event of a collision.

The sign includes the attention grabbing slogans “Would you talk to your gran like that?” and “Wearing a bike helmet shouldn’t change the way we treat each other”.

“The City hopes that the campaign for all road users to be respectful of each other while sharing the road will be a timely reminder to ensure every journey is a safe journey, whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist,” Cr Henley said.

The issue was identified through consultation with local cycling clubs and the billboard is the first of two stages. The first involved a survey in which cyclists and motorists were asked to share their attitudes and perceptions of safety while sharing the road. The second stage will include a trial of traditional “cyclist ahead” static signs on roads identified by cyclists as unsafe.

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Geographe Cycle Club president Price Grey said the club was always mindful of road safety.

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