Cycling Laws

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (16:16): My question is for the Minister for Road Safety. Is the minister able to inform the council about the impact on cyclists of the new cycle safety laws; in particular, has he heard from cyclists as to whether motorists are treating them with more respect on the road by allowing a safer passing distance following the introduction of these new laws?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (16:17): I thank the honourable member for his question. The honourable member refers to the cycling laws introduced by this government. I haven't received any specific reports up until this point in time as to the cultural impact of those laws having been put in place, but I am happy to inform the honourable member and this chamber that the moratorium that the police put in place on those laws was lifted earlier this year, in the month of January.

I am waiting to receive reports from SAPOL as to the number of people who have been issued expiation notices since the moratorium was lifted. As yet, I am not aware of any evidence to suggest that immediate cultural change has taken place, but it is this government's firm view that these laws are necessary and will go a long way to ensuring that cyclists not only can be confident that they are safe on our roads but also feel safe on our roads which, of course, we very much hope will result in more cyclists taking to the roads as a form of transportation in and around South Australia. I thank the honourable member for his question and I am happy to report back as more information comes my way in due course.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Supplementary.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary, Mr Darley.