Citizens' jury to look at how cyclists, motorists can share roads safely
The South Australian Government is turning to the community to help improve the relationship between cyclists and motorists on Adelaide's roads.
Premier Jay Weatherill said a citizens' jury of 35 South Australians will be selected from a pool of 6,000 people who will be invited to take part in the initiative this week.
Mr Weatherill said the issue of cycling had been chosen because of increasing concerns about how motorists and cyclists interact.
"The truth is the public debate's become a bit stuck," he said.
"On the one hand cyclists are shouting at the motorists saying that they are rude and don't respect them, and on the other side car owners shouting at cyclists saying that they don't obey the road rules.
"We've got a fantastic state for cycling and we've got to find a way for bikes and cars to live together."
Adelaide City Council wants to double cyclists in CBD
The public forum comes after Adelaide City Council was accused of discriminating against drivers.
Frome Street has been undergoing works to provide bike lanes, which will see motorised traffic reduced to one lane between Carrington and Pirie Streets.
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood has defended his council's plan to make the city more bicycle-friendly.
He said dedicated bike lanes were necessary to avoid congestion nightmares in the future.
Mr Yarwood said bicycles account for 5 per cent of traffic into the city and that needed to double to 10 per cent.
However the Premier said the plan was not to discourage people from using their cars.
"A debate that pits cyclists against drivers overlooks the fact that cyclists also drive cars and many drivers ride bikes," Mr Weatherill said.
"There must be potential for both forms of transport to remain safe, respected and viable ways to get around."
The question the citizens' jury will be asked to consider is: "Motorists and cyclists will always be using our roads - what things could we trial to ensure they share the roads safely?"
This will be the second citizens' jury the Government has commissioned.
Community members looked at how to make Adelaide's night life both safe and vibrant at a time of concern about the incidence of drunken violence in the city last year.
The forum will be run by the not-for-profit newDemocracy Foundation, which will hold meetings in September and October before reporting back to the Government in November.
