Correction In the article below, originally from http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2003/jun03/jun25news2 it has been pointed out by a Departmental Spokesperson at the Attorney General's Department of NSW that... The NSW Crown Solicitor did not provide the initial advice to the NSW Police. He did provide the advice to the NSW Government which led to the recent announcement by the Police Minister.
Government shuts down road racing in NSW By Gerard Knapp 26/6/2003 The Australian State that once hosted important cycling events such as the Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic, not to mention the Olympic Games road race, has effectively shut down road racing by banning all club cycling events to be held on public roads. Only a handful of open events are likely to be run this year, while all club racing on public roads has been forced to stop due to a ruling by the Crown Solicitor's office of the recently re-elected Labor government of Premier Bob Carr. The once-busy road racing calendar in NSW, a state that has produced riders such as FDjeux.com's Bradley McGee, US Postal Service's Matt White and many other professional riders, is now reduced to five events. The only events which can be held on public roads must have "sterile" conditions, which means the roads are completely closed off to all other road users. Many road events organised by clubs in NSW are held on quiet back roads, where the clubs deliberately choose quiet roads to avoid traffic. Larger events, such as the Grafton-to-Inverall, use interstate highways, but disruption to traffic and any political fallout from annoyed motorists has not been a significant factor in this latest ruling. Nor has public safety and injury to cyclists or motorists a factor. Rather, it appears to be the broad interpretation of consolidated road laws which has effectively cut off road cycling at the grass-roots level. "We are going to be the laughing stock of the rest of the (cycling) world," said Tom Skulander from the NSW Cycling Federation, which is devastated by the latest ruling by the State's legal bureaucrats. "Here we are producing some the world's best road cyclists, and they're turning their backs on them." The latest ruling by the Crown Solicitor will also stop club-level triathlon in a State which has produced several world champions and ironman legends, ranging from Chris McCormack through to Greg Welch. The Crown Solicitor's ruling will leave cycling clubs in sparsely-populated areas of the state without the opportunity to conduct any kind of racing. Very few clubs in the State own criterium circuits, and velodromes are even less frequent. Road racing in NSW has a long history with the first professional events held in the early 20th century. However, the number of road races held each year continued to decline due to the Police support charges imposed by the NSW Government. While the 'user-pays' principal took out several long-standing events - including a race which had been held over 85 years - the latest ruling from the Crown Solicitor will have far-reaching impact. "The verbal communication from (NSW) Police is very devastating, a complete change from negotiations that CNSW (Cycling NSW) had been involved in prior to this advice," said president Ron Bates in a message to members sent out today.
More information 30/6/2003 This latest impact on road cycling is linked to a move by road transport bureaucrats to consolidate road laws across the country. Under these new laws, a bicycle is defined as a "vehicle" and under these new laws, "vehicles cannot race on open roads", said Tom Skulander from NSW Cycling. "Within the Terminology of the Act a Bicycle is defined as a Vehicle. Within the relevant clauses it also says that 'the Commissioner may grant or refuse approval or impose any conditions considered necessary in the interests of public safety and convenience'. The last word in the previous sentence "convenience" is the matter that we need to manage carefully as related to public opinion." (Action: Cycling NSW suggests that concerned cyclists should write to their local member of State Parliament, local council and finally their local Federal Member. Further information and an FAQ on the ruling are available at the Cycling NSW web site).
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