By JESSE GRAHAM
POLICE have urged drivers to be respectful of cyclists after frustrated drivers shouted at a rider along the Warburton Highway last month.
James Steward was riding along the highway towards Warburton on Saturday 6 September, on a path from Bayswater to Alexandra, when he was harassed by a number of passing motorists.
According to a post published on the Facebook page, Cycle, Mr Steward was a few kilometres out from the town when he was passed by drivers who had paused behind him.
He said one of the cars honked as it passed, and that a passenger in one of the last cars – a metallic orange Commodore with a P-plate – hung out of the window and shouted at him to get off the road.
Minutes later, he said he was passed by a white ute, where the passenger in that car yelled and attempted to push his door open to knock him off off his bike.
“Thankfully, the driver was a fair distance away, and the vehicle speed meant the wind pressure made it hard to open the door any further I guess,” he said.
“Still, it was pretty obvious what the passenger was aiming at.”
Mr Steward said he was annoyed by the experience, but wasn’t able to report the incidents to the Warburton Police, as the station was unattended.
Warburton Police Sergeant, Tom Wilkinson, said that drivers had to be respectful to cyclists and all others that used the road.
“The road is there for all persons,” Sgt Wilkinson said.
“While most riders are encouraged to use the Warburton Trail, there’re some of the more professional riders that need to utilise the road.
“We would ask that they (drivers) show a degree of tolerance and respect for other road users as well.”
He said that failing to show proper respect to other road users – including leaving at least one metre when passing cyclists – could have severe consequences.
“It’s not only dangerous, but there could be serious injuries involved,” Sgt Wilkinson said.
With a number of winding turns and narrow roads, Sgt Wilkinson encouraged riders to use the Warburton Trail when possible, and to ensure they ‘minimised impact’ on other users when on the road.
“Riding single file, as close as they can to the left of the road,” he said.
“Roads are pretty windy there – there’re no safety zones, because the shoulders go right to the edge, and it could be quite dangerous.
“If they’re going to use the roads, visibility would be very important.”
Mr Steward said that rail trails often posed a poorer quality surface than the roads, and sometimes weren’t an option for riders.
He said that, after the incidents, the remainder of his ride to Alexandra – a 150 kilometre round trip – was peaceful.
