Raise the bar: Kevin Balaam thinks a higher penalty could curb 'dooring'. Picture: Darren Howe
HUME cyclists have supported the Greens' push for an increased penalty for 'dooring' offences.
Cyclists who have been at the receiving end in accidents and near-misses with motorists opening doors of parked cars have been asked by Greens MP Greg Barber to make a submission to the Parliament inquiry into a new Greens-sponsored 'dooring' law.
Under his proposal, the penalty for 'dooring' would increase to $1122 and the driver would get three demerit points.
Mr Barber's campaign stems from an incident in East Brunswick last year that left a victim in a coma for months, but the driver who opened the door and caused the injury received a $122 fine.
Hume Bicycle Users Group member Kevin Balaam said he welcomed the proposed law.
"I do support it, as it stands to reason there is a risk of very serious injury from riding into the edge of an opening car door which is a hard, solid and sharp object, or from swerving into the path of overtaking vehicles," he said.
Mr Balaam said there were also other concerns associated with congested roads in Hume.
"There's always the potential [for accidents and injury] when bike lanes are also used for vehicle parking [on areas] like Hanson Road, Hothlyn Drive and Bridgewater Road, which are all in Craigieburn," he said.
"There would be many safety considerations, other than opening car doors, when riding in a congested area, such as cars reversing or vehicles entering the road from the side. Outside schools at drop-off or pick-up times is always a nightmare for cyclists."
Mr Balaam said he hoped greater penalties would prevent the occurrence of 'dooring'.
"I believe the best, but not easiest, solution would be to separate the various road users," he said.
"Having cycle paths or at least 'shared paths' in areas of vehicular congestion or high speed would be safer than mixing cyclists with the vehicles."
Mr Barber hoped that a higher fine would make drivers think and look for cyclists before they opened their door.
"Dooring incidents account for 8 per cent of all reported bike accidents and many more in inner urban areas. Many cyclists ride to the city, where 26 per cent of all bike accidents reported to the police are collisions with vehicle doors."