On 1 December 1991, at the instigation of VicRoads and following council approval in August 1991, a six-month trial of legal footpath cycling commenced. This followed shortly after the start of a similar program in the Shire of Bulla and was modelled on the successful Shepparton trial. A small community-based committee, with representatives from VicRoads, local schools, senior citizens' clubs, Victoria Police, councillors and council officers, monitored and oversaw the trial. From the authors' perspective, legalised footpath cycling would appear a sensible and pragmatic change in the law to reflect current safe community behaviour. The benefits of the trial accrue particularly to young and elderly cyclists, especially where the choice is to cycle on busy arterials, at the perceived expense of elderly and disabled pedestrians. Education and signing should improve current cyclist behaviour and safety, particularly in high pedestrian areas. (A)
Abstract