Bicycle NSW and Minister Pavey announced today that the Minimum Passing Distance is being made permanent. From April 2016, the MPD has been in a trial phase. Since this time, Bicycle NSW has worked with the NSW Government to educate them about the importance of this law and we are thrilled that it being made permanent. Bicycle NSW has worked very hard to educate NSW politicians to ensure that this law was brought before NSW parliament following successful trials elsewhere, as advocated for by Amy Gillett Foundation. Now in May 2018, Bicycle NSW can say, together with the NSW Government, that we are making a better environment for cycling in our state.

Giving bike riders this metre or metre and a half, is for their safety. They are the most vulnerable road users. Motor vehicles at any speed can cause considerable damage, even death, to a rider. In places where there is no alternative path, Bicycle NSW wants all bike riders to be able to cycle as safely as possible on the roads. Vehicles passing too close is a major concern and often scares people away from the benefits of bike riding.

Making the Minimum Passing Distance permanent is about keeping existing cyclists safer, and also showing new riders that cycling is a safe and beneficial method of transport and recreation.