REFLEXIÓN ANTROPOLOGICA

The identification of group rider violations was based on the WA Road Traffic Code ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). Initially, researchers familiarised themselves with the Code in terms of regulations relating to bicyclists. In general, regulations that apply to drivers of motor vehicles also apply to riders using the roads (with some exceptions) and there are additional regulations specifically relating to riders ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). Only violations committed by

160 one or more rider within the study group were included and not those committed by other riders or motorists on the road.

Following the initial viewing, the two researchers narrowed the inclusion criteria for group rider violations to six types of violations which could be clearly and unambiguously determined from the footage. These were: ‘red light violations’, ‘stop

sign violations’, ‘one-way sign violations’, ‘right of way violations’, ‘wrong side of road violations’, and ‘riding more than two-abreast violations’. From the 408

identifiable violations in the eligible footage, 399 violations (97.8%) were included. The six types of violations included in Part C are described in detail below and the relevant regulations from the WA Road Traffic Code are listed in Table 5.5 and detailed in Appendix 14.

Other violations were excluded due to certain regulations in the WA Road Traffic Code (2000) being subjective, ambiguous or impossible to accurately determine from the video footage. For example, the Code stipulates that when riding two abreast, riders must not be more than 1.5m apart ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). This precise measurement was impossible to determine so this specific regulation was excluded. In addition, the Code states that when an on-road bicycle lane is provided and it is in reasonable condition, a rider must use only the bicycle lane and no other part of the carriageway ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). Since

‘reasonable condition’ is subjective and difficult to determine from the footage, this

violation was also excluded.

5.3.4.1 Red light violations

A ‘red light violation’ was recorded if any rider in the group proceeded beyond the stop line at a set of traffic lights, when the traffic control signal was displaying a red light or arrow. Entering the intersection on an orange light was not included as a violation, even if it turned red before the rider/s exited the intersection ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). If more than one rider in the group committed a violation at the same red traffic light, this was counted as a single violation (Table 5.5, Appendix 14).

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Table 5.5 Relevant regulations from the WA Road Traffic Code 2000 Type of violation Regulations from WA Road Traffic Code 2000

Red light violation Part 6, Division 1, Regulation 40:

Stopping for a circular red signal or red arrow Stop sign violation Part 7, Division 1, Regulation 50:

Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at an intersection without traffic-control signals

One-way sign violation

Part 8, Division 2, Regulation 80: One-way signs

Right of way violation

Part 7, Division 1, Regulation 50:

Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at an intersection without traffic-control signals

Part 7, Division 1, Regulation 52:

Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at an intersection

Part 7, Division 2, Regulation 55:

Giving way at an intersection (except a T-intersection or roundabout)

Part 7, Division 2, Regulation 56: Giving way at a T-intersection Part 7, Division 3, Regulation 57:

Giving way when entering a carriageway from land abutting a carriageway or road

Part 7, Division 3, Regulation 58:

Giving way when entering land abutting a carriageway or road from a carriageway

Part 9, Division N/A, Regulation 95: Right of way in a roundabout

Wrong side of road violation

Part 9, Division N/A, Regulation 96: Driving through a roundabout Part 11, Division 2, Regulation 115:

Keeping to the left of marked or unmarked two-way carriageway

Part 11, Division 2, Regulation 116: Keeping left of continuous dividing lines Part 11, Division 2, Regulation 117: Keeping to the left of a median strip Part 11, Division 2, Regulation 120: Avoiding obstructions on a carriageway Riding more than

two abreast violation

Part 11, Division 4, Regulation 130:

Riding a 2-wheeled vehicle alongside more than one other rider

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5.3.4.2 Stop sign violations

A ‘stop sign violation’ was recorded if any rider in the group did not come to a complete stop at or as near as practicable to the stop line associated with a stop sign ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). Since ‘near as practicable’ is subjective, if all riders came to a complete stop at any distance within visibility of the stop sign, as a result of the stop sign, this was not counted as a violation. If more than one rider in the group committed a violation at the same stop sign, this was counted as a single violation (Table 5.5, Appendix 14).

5.3.4.3 One-way sign violations

A ‘one-way sign violation’ was recorded if any rider in the group rode the wrong way on a carriageway where a one-way sign applied ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). If more than one rider in the group committed a violation at the same one-way sign, this was counted as a single violation (Table 5.5, Appendix 14).

5.3.4.4 Right of way violations

A ‘right of way violation’ was recorded if any rider in the group entered traffic and did not give way to other vehicles as prescribed by the Code. This included right of way violations at stop signs or lines, give way signs or lines, uncontrolled intersections, T- intersections, roundabouts or land abutting the carriageway (e.g. driveway) ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). If more than one rider in the group committed the same ‘right of way violation’, this was counted as a single violation (Table 5.5, Appendix 14).

5.3.4.5 Wrong side of road violations

A ‘wrong side of road violation’ was recorded when any rider in the group rode on the wrong side of the road at a roundabout, on a road divided by a median strip or traffic islands or on a road marked with continuous white dividing lines only ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). Riding on the wrong side of an unmarked road or a road with broken white lines were not included as a violation in this study. The Code stipulates that drivers (or riders) can travel on the wrong side of these roads if they can see ahead for a distance sufficient to enable them to do so safely ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). Since this is subjective and difficult to determine

163 from the footage, riding on the wrong side of these particular roads were not included. In accordance with the Code, riding on the wrong side of the road in order to avoid an obstruction on the carriageway (e.g. a parked car or hazard) was also not counted as a violation ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). If more than one rider in the group rode on the wrong side of the road at the one time, this was counted as a single violation (Table 5.5, Appendix 14).

5.3.4.6 Riding more than two abreast violations

A ‘riding more than two abreast violation’ was recorded when any riders in the group rode three or more abreast for at least 10 seconds. In accordance with the Code, riding more than two abreast due to overtaking other riders was not counted as a violation ("Western Australia Road Traffic Code," 2000). In addition, riding three abreast in order to travel from the front to the back or back to the front of the group was not counted as a violation. If several riders in the group rode more than two abreast at the one time, this was counted as a single violation (Table 5.5, Appendix 14).