CYCLISTS and drivers love blaming each other when they come to grief.

But a new study of Melbourne traffic has found both can be at fault when it comes to taking risks and accidents.

One in 10 cyclists ran red lights and, surprisingly, lycra-clad enthusiasts were less likely to do so than riders.

“Given that we often see the negative images of lycra wearing males on road bikes, it was interesting to find that this group was more likely to stop at the red light,” researcher Marilyn Johnson said.

“It was the males on mountain bikes wearing non-cycling clothing who were most likely to ride through the red lights.”

The Monash University Accident Research Centre study videotaped 10 intersections during peak hour.

Ms Johnson compiled 216 hours of film, and has analysed early results from 5420 cyclists who passed two intersections outside the CBD.

Of the 876 cyclists who faced a red light, 93 rode through it.

Red-light runners were divided into three main types.

“Racers” accelerated at amber (25 per cent), “impatients” stopped, waited then went early (33 per cent) and “runners” slowed but didn’t stop (42 per cent).

Men on mountain bikes in non-cycling clothing made up 52 per cent of the red light runners, men on road bikes in non-cycling clothing 11 per cent, and lycra-clad men on road bikes 9 per cent.

Another 9 per cent were women on mountain bikes in regular clothes.

Ms Johnson said other research showed cyclists were responsible for six in 10 cycling fatalities.

In most cases cyclists were hit from behind by a vehicle in the same lane going in the same direction.

Many drivers also failed to observe cyclist safety zones intersections.

“There is definitely a need for more education for drivers about cycling infrastructure,” Ms Johnson said.

“Both drivers and cyclists themselves have a role in improving safety for cyclists on the road.”

Ms Johnson said drivers should show awareness, respect and patience.

“For example, drivers do not seem to be aware of how much space they need to give a cyclist when overtaking — it needs to be at least one metre clearance,” she said.

Ms Johnson’s research is the result of an Amy Gillett Foundation scholarship. Gillett, a champion road cyclist, was killed during a training ride in Germany in 2005.

By: Cheryl Critchley at the Herald Sun

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