Cyclists who are injured from collisions with parked cars should be able to access payments from the Transport Accident Commission, Tim McCurdy has argued.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The self-confessed lycra-wearing cyclist MP got behind the Victorian government’s proposed changes to legislation this week.
“Dooring”, where cyclists are hit when a passenger opens the door of a car parked on the side of the road, can cause injuries.
Mr McCurdy, the Ovens Valley MP, said the increase in TAC coverage was important especially at a time when so many people were taking up cycling.
“As a cyclist myself, I certainly feel this is an important part of the bill,” he said.
“People love to come up onto our roads and tracks and trails and cycle all over the place, which is a great thing for tourism and other things throughout the Ovens Valley.
“It is just terrific for people’s health at the same time.”
Asked by the Liberals’ Forest Hill MP Neil Angus if he chose to wear lycra when riding, Mr McCurdy said it “is an important part of every cyclist’s attire”.
Amendments the Transport Accident Act would also increase the TAC’s family travel and accommodation benefits for family visiting injured people in hospital, and extend that offer to grandparents.
This would include the loss of wages while away from work.
“This is particularly good for those who are more than 100 kilometres away if they have got someone injured in a Melbourne hospital,” Mr McCurdy said.
“That benefit will be available to all from the Ovens Valley electorate if they are visiting people in Melbourne-based hospitals.”
The changes have been supported by both sides of politics.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here