The Economic and Infrastructure Committee is holding another public hearing tomorrow. Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm Location: Room G6 at 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne Witnesses will be Victorian Motorcycle Council and the BMW Motorcycle Club Victoria, and Queensland Police. The gist of the submissions from Victorian Motorcycle Council and the BMW Motorcycle Club Victoria (and reflected in the RACV evidence at the last hearing), is that motorcyclists should be exempt from the safe passing distance rules. The basis for this assertion is that motorbike riders are better able to judge a “sufficient” distance than a car driver, and there’s no need for them to always leave 1m. I’ve been intentionally close passed by motorbike riders before. It can be just as disconcerting as being buzzed by a car, and being startled like that can still result in a bicyclist crashing. In the event of a motorcyclist hitting a bicycle rider, the bicycle rider is still the one who will end up worse off. In addition, they argue that this law would inhibit a motorcyclist’s ability to filter down the left of slow/stationary traffic. I don’t think that argument holds water, and any such exemption sends the wrong message entirely. The reality is that cyclists need space, always. I’ve written up more about this, and a recap of other issues raised at the last hearing days, on my blog: http://melbournecommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/no-compromises-on-safety-full.html I’ll be attending the hearing tomorrow, and will share an update with you after that. Thanks for your ongoing support for this important issue.