A new public information film from Tasmania has an innovative way of getting across its message about what constitutes a safe passing distances when overtaking a cyclist. After first depicting a series of everyday scenes in which people find themselves within someone else’s personal space, it then demonstrates how far away a driver should be when passing someone on a bike.
Tasmania has had a minimum safe passing distance since February. A safe space is considered to be one metre between the motorist and the cyclist on roads up to and including 60km/h, and 1.5 metres on roads above 60 km/h. Drivers are allowed to cross a centre line to pass a cyclist when it’s safe to do so.
The UK doesn’t currently have a minimum passing distance law. The Highway Code says only: “give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car” without stipulating what that distance should be.
In Europe there are minimum passing distances in a number of countries. In France the rule is that motorists need to give cyclists a minimum of 1m in towns and 1.5 on other roads. Germany and Spain also go for 1.5m.
A three-foot rule has been introduced in many US states. The difficulty of enforcing this has led to the development of a handlebar-mounted ultrasonic detector which is now being employed by the Chattanooga Police Department in Tennessee.
BikeBiz editor, Carlton Reid, recently produced a video in which Chris Boardman explained how to safely overtake a cyclist. The video, also featuring cycling club Exeter Wheelers and master driving instructor Blaine Walsh, demonstrates how much room a cyclist or group of riders need, and why they might need it.
9 thoughts on “Video: Tasmanian public information film finds ingenious way of informing public about safe passing distances”
Like that.
Like that.
The Amy Gillette Foundation have been doing a lot of work in Oz to get the 1m passing law implemented. We could do with their ilk over here
http://www.amygillett.org.au/history-made-as-a-metre-matters-becomes-law-in-south-australia
Quality video. Great for
Quality video. Great for sharing on facebook for any country, but best to remove the punch-line-ruining-thumbnail before posting!
Here is a promising upcoming
Here is a promising upcoming Android app which integrates an ultrasonic detector, rear light and camera as a cyclist’s game-changer.
LaneSight® is the comprehensive cycling safety system created. Simply put, LaneSight® detects vehicles approaching from behind, alerts the rider and the motorist of each others presence, which helps both to avoid a collision, and records video and lateral distance data when a close call situation happens. The system utilizes computer vision technology to determine the presence of vehicles behind you and subsequently alerts you (and the driver behind you) when they are detected. The LaneSight® system will automatically video record the rearward approach of any vehicle that comes within a preset distance of the cyclist, and it also records lateral distance data collected with the ultrasonic distance sensor.
I do not have any connection to them, but am looking forward to its release.
Lights, Camera, Ride!
http://www.lanesight.com/
ridein wrote:
Yeah right, defenetely no connection there..
Vegita8 wrote:
Here is a promising upcoming Android app which integrates an ultrasonic detector, rear light and camera as a cyclist’s game-changer.
LaneSight® is the comprehensive cycling safety system created. Simply put, LaneSight® detects vehicles approaching from behind, alerts the rider and the motorist of each others presence, which helps both to avoid a collision, and records video and lateral distance data when a close call situation happens. The system utilizes computer vision technology to determine the presence of vehicles behind you and subsequently alerts you (and the driver behind you) when they are detected. The LaneSight® system will automatically video record the rearward approach of any vehicle that comes within a preset distance of the cyclist, and it also records lateral distance data collected with the ultrasonic distance sensor.
I do not have any connection to them, but am looking forward to its release.
Lights, Camera, Ride!
http://www.lanesight.com/
— Vegita8 Yeah right, defenetely no connection there..— ridein
Yes, I do NOT have a connection. I just copy/pasted some of their FAQ (in bold font). To me it would improve upon a road cyclists vulnerability in a big way. Sorry if you can’t believe that another person might want to share a little info to improve rider safety.
Vegita8 wrote:
Thanks for defending us from interlopers (“defenete” or otherwise) but.. have you ever actually really come across a sales post in these comments? Bit trigger-happy, firing at ghosts while insulting real people, in my opinion.
The Lanesight thing sounds rubbish, btw, on so many levels.
Hmm, yes it does seem unusual
Hmm, yes it does seem unusual for someone with no connection to paste the sales blurb.
Personally, I treat anything that claims to do anything with “computer vision” etc outside of a very controlled sterile environment with a “don’t believe it until you see it proved in all conditions” approach. It really is extremely hard to do, and the environment on the road is extremely “noisy” visually speaking.
DaveE128 wrote:
My way of adding to the conversation is not a sales blurb either, since this is still vaporware and not a viable product.
Great work but for Tasmanian
Great work but for Tasmanian cyclist being way too near kerb, creating bit of mixed message danger.