Dear Premier Bartlett

PETER ADAMS

DEAR Premier Bartlett,

A lot of sane individuals might draw comfort at the idea of cycling on vehicular roads if they knew they had a better chance of avoiding being run into. I suggest that a transmitter/receiver hazard warning system could be developed as a first in Tasmania whereby any hazard which drivers should be warned of, could emit a signal with range of 100m. Those drivers that wish to be alerted to this would have a receiver in their car. As a regular cyclist, I would feel horrified to kill another cyclist with my vehicle. Cyclists could wear a low-power “Hazard transmitter” device. Department of Infrastructure might also find this system valuable for allowing temporary hazards such as a tree down, flooding, black ice, oil spill, powerline down or even just an accident, to be notified to oncoming cars in a similar fashion.

Perhaps regular cyclists and particularly those wanting to cycle tour through our beautiful state, would feel inclined to fork out for the cost of a receiver to use in their own vehicles and of course transmitter for use on their and their family’s bicycles. The receivers could be very cheap when mass-produced. I see this idea as a good-will initiative the community could get behind rather than as an idea motivated by any profit considerations. If anyone wants to develop the system, I (incidentally an electrical engineer who studied at Tas Uni when you were a student there) would be very pleased to participate in its widespread introduction throughout the state. Down here in Tas, we can’t afford quite as much in the way of extensive cycle paths as A.C.T. has and so a system like this could be a more viable option. Perhaps insurance companies or the state motor rego body could even give a discount if vehicles get such a receiver device fitted.