YOUR SAY: Should drivers always be held accountable for crashes involving cyclists?

An independent review commissioned by VicRoads has recommended cyclists be held blameless in any crash involving cars.

In a bid to address the ongoing animosity between cyclists and other road users, the body ordered a report into how to improve bike riders’ safety.

In the ten year period from 2004, there were more than 29,000 crashes involving cyclists in Victoria, with 84 people killed and 4447 injured.

Of those road fatalities, 80 were cyclists.

Almost 11,000 people responded to the survey, which found many road users clueless as to the rules surrounding road rules for cyclists.

“The review process revealed that there is a level of confusion and misunderstanding around many of the rules related to bicycle riding,” the report said.

“The main barriers were thought to be the lack of respect shown to bicycle riders and the lack of bicycle riding infrastructure.”

Among the other recommendations is to give the power to police to hand out on the spot fines to cyclists caught using their mobile phones while riding.

The act is illegal but requires a court appearance and results in few prosecutions.

The report also suggested cyclists of any age be allowed to ride on the footpath with children under 12. 

NSW introduced a similar measure for children under 10 in 2013. 

The report said VicRoads would require further consultation with stakeholders before introducing any of the measures.