Back to school for cyclists in Newport

Noel Dyson is holding an adult bike ed class. Photo: Damjan Janevski

Even seasoned cyclists can get caught out when it comes to road laws and traffic safety.

Last year, a cyclist lost a Melbourne Magistrates Court appeal after being fined for passing on the left side of a stationary car in Melbourne’s CBD.

VicRoads is reviewing the law.

Noel Dyson of the Hobsons Bay Bicycle User Group said a traffic safety education class for adult cyclists will be held in Newport on Sunday.

He said the class will cover aspects of bike education that children are taught at school, such as what cyclists should do when going through a roundabout.

“There’s an awful lot of people (cyclists) who … mostly stick to the left, and that puts them at risk of being hit on exit as well as on entry,” Mr Dyson said.

“It’s essential that you have to occupy the lane and it involves learning to be assertive out on the road – not putting yourself in harm’s way but then again enforcing your right.”

Mr Dyson said the class would help cyclists to be responsible road users.

“We wear bright colours and it’s just following what’s actually stated on the VicRoads’ website – wear bright colours, don’t wear dark colours.

“Many people ride black bikes dressed in black and I say, well there you go – roadkill.”

The class is from 10am-2pm on Sunday.

Details: 93991240 or SMS 0438 345 039.