Footage of a cyclist being hit by a car has reignited debate over whether bicycles should be registered in Australia.
A cyclist collided with a silver car at an intersection during the afternoon of May 14, with footage of the incident shared by Dash Cam Owners Australia.
After being hit, the cyclist quickly got up, narrowly avoiding a blue vehicle before it came to a stop.
The cyclist then picked up his bicycle, which had been split in two by the impact, and quickly walked away from the cars. He fled the scene shortly after.
The cyclist was not wearing high visibility equipment or using lights.
As a result of the collision, the car suffered significant damage, including a shattered windshield and a detached side mirror.
The images sparked debate over whether cyclists should be required to register their bikes for use on the road.
Dramatic dash cam footage captured the moment a cyclist attempting to turn right at an intersection was hit by a car and narrowly avoided by a ute.
The video was uploaded online where internet users called for Bike Rego to be implemented in Australia after the cyclist apparently fled the scene of the accident with his broken bike.
‘It’s purely the cyclist’s fault. There were no lights, no high visibility clothing, he didn’t even bother to look for oncoming traffic before crossing the street,” said one man.
‘He entered the intersection on an orange light and could have easily stopped. “I blame the cyclist,” added a second.
“I hope they catch him and give him the bill for the damage done to the car,” a third added.
“And yet cyclists still don’t have nameplates when they make red noises and do stupid shit like this all the time. I don’t get it,” another fumed.
“I don’t expect them to pay rego but rather give them plates just so they can be identified and held accountable on the roads.”
The cyclist allegedly fled the scene with the remains of his bicycle and did not attend to the broken down car that had just hit him.
The idea of creating a registration system for cyclists has long been debated in Australia, but any potential legislation has yet to gain popular support.
Registration would require cyclists to show identification to other vehicles and would protect them with basic insurance coverage against any collisions on the road.
Although cyclists face opposition from some road users, neither state governments nor motoring organizations have expressed support for bicycle registration.
The RACV, RACQ and NRMA have openly opposed such a plan, with state governments arguing it would be financially impractical.
