Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt fears overzealous policing may be discouraging people from riding bikes. Dr Pettitt's comments come after an environmental scientist was fined $50 for not having a bell on his bike while riding down a Fremantle street on Friday night. James Dolin, 24, was riding to visit a friend when he was stopped by two police officers on bikes. He was fined for not wearing a helmet or having a light on his bike - offences he acknowledges deserved punishment. It was the $50 fine for not having a bell that really got his goat up. "I just think it's gone too far," Mr Dolin said. "As a passionate cyclist, I believe more should be done by police to create incentives for people to ride bicycles not disincentives. "Perhaps instead of giving out fines - which discourage my peers and I to ride - police could give cyclists with no bell the chance to organise the relevant equipment by a set date.
I have had a little fun with the Western Australian Police tonight. It was pointed out to me that the photo used by the Western Australia Police in their Facebook post telling cyclists off is of four WA Police officers riding bikes two abreast on a shared use path. Well someone forgot to tell the WA Police that riding two abreast on shared path is an offence in Western Australia (unless actually passing another cyclist). Regulation 130 of the WA Road Traffic Code applies. Now I am sure the WA Police will or can argue they where "passing" however it on the face of it, is not a good look. One would hope that they take appropriate care getting a positive correct message out by using photos showing their Officers obeying the law in a manner which cannot be questioned. Also it seems that now Fremantle Police will be giving out lights and bells (supplied by the City of Fremantle) to cyclists caught without same. This will be along with a warning instead of a fine. Andrew
