Navigating the roads can be a harrowing experience, and for cyclists, it's often a matter of life and death. A recent incident captured on a cyclist's camera in Brunswick, Melbourne, has thrown a stark light on a perilous issue that's all too common on Australian roads. The footage, which shows a car abruptly turning through a bike lane and narrowly missing a cyclist, underscores the 'massive' and 'invisible' problem that cyclists face daily.

The cyclist, Rory Meister, was understandably shaken by the close call. 'I was pretty annoyed at the time as I would never do that to a cyclist,' he told in an interview. 'If I were driving, I'd slow down and let cyclists pass... it's just absurd to me that they either didn't see me even though I was ahead with lights flashing, or they purposefully thought to cut me off.'


This incident isn't an isolated one. It's a scenario that plays out repeatedly on roads across the country, so much so that some cyclists ride as if they were invisible, expecting to be overlooked by motorists. Peter McLean from Bicycle NSW wasn't shocked by the footage but was deeply concerned, noting that nearly every cyclist has had a similar experience. 'If you're a bike rider on an open road environment, it's almost a certain that there is going to be some sort of very close call,' he said.


The statistics are sobering. In 2023, there were 35 cyclist fatalities on Aussie roads, which, while only accounting for 3 percent of all road fatalities, is disproportionately high given the small percentage of road users who are cyclists. 'All that road trauma for cyclists is well and truly overrepresented in the road trauma statistics,' McLean pointed out. 'Anything above zero is a problem... cyclists are at a high likelihood of a severe injury.'


So, what's contributing to this dangerous environment for cyclists? McLean identifies three main factors: a reduced level of tolerance among a small number of drivers, a lack of proper infrastructure, and the need for better education and awareness. He notes that some state governments' Vehicle Licensing Programs may inadvertently 'feed the frustration sentiment,' which needs to be addressed to foster more tolerance on the roads.

Improving cyclist safety is not just about infrastructure; it's about changing attitudes. 'Fundamentally we need better awareness at an early stage of when people are getting their licenses... there's lots of great drivers out there and we just need to equalise everyone on the road,' McLean asserts.

For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom are drivers and some of whom may be cyclists themselves, this issue hits close to home. We understand the importance of road safety and the need for mutual respect among all road users. It's crucial to remember that behind every cyclist is a person—someone's family member or friend—and they deserve to travel safely.

We encourage our members to share their thoughts and experiences. Have you encountered similar situations on the road? What measures do you think could improve safety for cyclists? Your insights could be invaluable in raising awareness and promoting change.