The government Minister in charge of the island’s roads says he is a backing a campaign to improve cyclists’ safety by introducing a legal minimum overtaking distance.
SafeCycling Isle of Man is lobbying Tynwald to bring in Katespace, a minimum overtaking distance of 1.5m enshrined in law.
Its campaign has been prompted by the tragic death of experienced cyclist Kate Burge who was killed in a road accident in Kirk Michael in August last year.
SafeCycling campaigner Sean Mclachlan, who was Kate’s partner, described that sentence as ‘derisory’.
He said: ‘Our campaign is not in response to the derisory sentence handed to Linda Thompson. It’s about ensuring a safety envelope around a cyclist to prevent it happening again. Whether it could have saved Kate, I don’t know. There is only one person responsible for Kate’s death.’
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘Government is committed to protecting the most vulnerable people in our society and cyclists are one among our most vulnerable road users.
‘The Department of Infrastructure is therefore supportive of methods of improving the safety of cyclists on our roads and particularly SafeCycling Isle of Man and its aim of introducing a 1.5m safe passing distance.’
Police say they are supportive of any initiative that will improve road safety.
Sergeant Alan Thompson, head of the roads policing unit, said: ‘There is a vast community of cyclists on the Isle of Man and this initiative can make a huge difference to their safety.
‘If we broaden the notion to the include other vulnerable road users, such as horse riders and walkers, embedding a culture of courtesy to each other in sharing the road, then this will undoubtedly make our roads safer.’
In its current wording, the Manx Highway Code says only that road users should leave ‘plenty of room’ when passing cyclists.
Belgium, France, Portugal, Germany and Spain all have specified overtaking space as do 25 US states and Nova Scotia in Canada. A campaign for an 1.5m overtaking distance has been launched in Ireland.
In Australia, a two-year trial of an enforced minimum overtaking distance has begun in Queensland. The distance depends on the speed limit – 1m for 60kph or less, 1.5m if the limit is higher.
SafeCycling IoM says the majority of motorists are considerate and responsible but a small minority infringe the safety of cyclists.
Members say amending the Road Traffic Act to provide a minimum overtaking distance would help alter the behaviour of those motorists who persistently pass dangerously close to cyclists.
Sean said: ‘With the campaign we hope to help people realise how vulnerable cyclists actually are.
‘The consequences of a collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist is far, far greater for the cyclist. Motorists overtaking a person on a bicycle therefore have a duty of care not to compromise the safety of that cyclist. If they don’t carry out this duty by passing too close, they are negligent. This is why we need a specific law to protect people riding bicycles.
‘I must emphasis that the vast majority of people driving motor vehicles are safety conscious and considerate. The majority of cyclists are also motorists. Our campaign will also give advice to people riding bicycles, with an objective of more harmonious road sharing.’
You can find out more about SafeCycling IoM’s campaign on its website at www.safecyclingiom.com