Tour Down Under bike spike sparks SA Police road rules warning

SA Police will commence Operation Safe Cycling on Friday and will run until January 22 to ensure safe road use while more cyclists hit the roads.

SA Police assistant commissioner Ian Parrott said between January and March is when cyclists are most at risk on the road.

“Last year in 2022, three cyclists lost their lives on South Australian roads, there were about 58 serious life changing injuries and there was well over 400 other injuries to cyclists on our roads during the year,” he said.

“What we’re saying is it’s not just the cyclists responsibilities, it’s everybody’s responsibility.

“We’re already seeing extra cyclists on the road at the moment. What we’re hoping this year is that the cyclists actually obey the road rules as well.”

Motorists are being reminded to leave a safe 1m gap for cyclist on roads under 60km/h or a 1.5m gap when travelling above 60km/h.

“It’s not just in the metropolitan area that we’ll be seeing more cycling activities,” Mr Parrott said. “There certainly is gonna be a lot of cycling activities in the regions as well in the foothills.

“What I say to cyclists is be courteous of vehicles on the road. If you don’t need to double up go single file in the hills so you can let cars and other vehicles get past easily rather than causing unnecessary frustration.”

Police will be out in the community during Operation Safe Cycling to make sure drivers and cyclists are following the rules.

Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady reiterated the message and said “our number one priority is safety”.

“Most of the international teams have flown into Adelaide now and they will start be busily out there doing reconnaissance of road stages so all we asked as an organisation is just been a little bit patient,” he said.

Originally published as Tour Down Under bike spike sparks SA Police road rules warning