news, local-news, cycling safety, minimum distance rule, design competition, Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club, Transport for NSW, David Maywald

Original and creative designs are being sought for stickers and posters illustrating the new rule that requires drivers to give a minimum distance of space when passing cyclists. Winning designs will be distributed to schools, councils and hospitals for placement on windows, laptops, folders, books and noticeboards. To encourage young people to get involved, there is a special category for entrants aged under 18. Transport for NSW has provided a grant to Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club to run the competition. The club, which is one of the largest in the state, has many members from St George and groups of red-shirted riders are also seen riding through Sutherland Shire as far south as Waterfall. The minimum passing distance rule was trialled in NSW for two years until May, 2018, and was made permanent after an evaluation of the trial. Drivers are required to give at least one metre of clearance when overtaking cyclists on roads with a speed limit of up to 60 km/h. At higher speeds, vehicles must allow at least 1.5 metres of distance around bike riders. Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club member David Maywald, of Kogarah, said the competition could make “a real difference for road safety”. ”Cyclists account for one-fifth of the serious injuries on roads.” Mr Maywald said a survey had found only 22 per cent of motorists were aware they were permitted to cross double lines when passing cyclists as long as it was safe to do so. The competition is open until the end of the first school term, April 12. The winner in each of the four categories will receive a $200 gift voucher for bicycle products, plus 100 stickers or 10 posters of their own design. Visit: dhbc.org.au/advocacy/design-competition

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