XN000022-1989-06-09 — Page 17

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FRIDAY, JUNE 9. 1989

CYCLING RULES FOR CHILDREN TO BE RELAXED

A BILL SEEKING TO ALLOW YOUNG CHILDREN TO CYCLE UNACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT IN CERTAIN AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

UNDER THE EXISTING ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE. FOR SAFETY REASONS. NO PERSON CAN ALLOW A CHILD UNDER 1

11 YEARS OF AGE TO CYCLE ON A ROAD UNACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT OR HIRE A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE

CHILD.

HOWEVER. WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF OFF-ROAD FACILITIES WHERE CHILDREN CAN CYCLE SAFELY. THESE RESTRICTIONS THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUCH CYCLING FACILITIES AND INCONSISTENT WITH THE POLICY OF ENCOURAGING YOUNG CHILDREN

THESE FACILITIES.

TO THE

CYCLING DEFEAT APPEAR

ΤΟ USE

THE ROAD TRAFFIC LAMENDMENT)(NO.2) BILL 1989 THEREFORE PROPOSES THAT UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 11 BE ALLOWED TO RIDE A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE IN OFF-ROAD AREAS WHICH THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CONSIDERS SUITABLE.

ONLY"

THESE AREAS WILL BE SIGNPOSTED WITH THE TRAFFIC SIGN "CYCLES OR "FOOTWAY AND CYCLEWAY" TOGETHER WITH A NEW SIGN. "UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PERMITTED".

PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO HIRE BICYCLES OR TRICYCLES TO THESE CHILDREN IN THESE AREAS AND THE IMMEDIATE ADJOINING LAND WHERE THE USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS BANNED.

THE BILL. WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SOON.

THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL} REGULATIONS WILL ALSO BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE "UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PERMITTED" SIGN AND ΤΟ RELAX THE STRICT SINGLE FILE RULE FOR CYCLISTS IN THE OFF-ROAD SEGREGATED CYCLING AREAS ON WHICH THE TRAFFIC SIGN "CYCLES ONLY" OR "FOOTWAY AND CYCLEWAY" HAS BEEN ERECTED.

O

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