Road users divided after cyclist handed $400 fine for talking on phone
A Perth father has been slapped with a $400 fine after he was spotted cycling on the road with no helmet while also talking on his phone.
A WA police officer pulled over the ambitious rider after spotting him on Forrest Road in Armadale, in the city’s southeast, late last week.
Like many road users before him, the cyclist apparently attempted to make an excuse for his actions, saying he was on the phone to his daughter.
But the excuse was promptly shut down by police, who proceeded to not only fine him but make an example of him on Twitter writing “cyclists are not exempt”.
No you cannot ride your 🚲 on the road without a helmet AND talk to your daughter on the 📱 #TEG1 #cyclistsarenotexempt #PD12626 pic.twitter.com/2345b3Q2AM
— WA Police Traffic (@WAPoliceTraffic) July 21, 2018
But Twitter users immediately took aim at the post, questioning if the officer “didn’t have anything better to do?”
“I estimate that there are 200 countries in the world where this would not raise an eyebrow, let alone cause a (hefty) fine. I just find this hard to fathom. It’s a person on a bicycle, making a phone call,” one user wrote.
“Ignore plenty of drivers using their phone while booking this cyclist? Smart use of your time,” another wrote.
“400? Jeez, fair enough for a car driver that could kill people, but tweeting like you’re proud of this one?”
One woman did however praise the officer saying as a cyclist, she has no problem with the fine.
I am a cyclist & have no problem with this. While his attention is on the phone he does not have it on the road or the capability to use both brakes to stop if needed. Endangering himself and others – if you’ve ever been hit by a cyclist you’ll know the damage that can be done.
— Sue Boyd (@Subi06) July 24, 2018
