Cycling safety in Queensland newspapers Dr Peter English and Professor Paul Salmon University of the Sunshine Coast penglish@usc.edu.au

Cycling v cars “road wars” Capital Radio News, August 25, 2015

New laws in Queensland Cyclists are 12 times more at risk of death than car drivers (Salmon et al. 2013) Two-year trial – 1m passing in 60kph or above zones, and 1.5m in 80kph or above. Introduced on April 7, 2014 “We all need to get along and share the road safely” (Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads 2014) Laws have been introduced in the ACT (trial) and SA How did Queensland’s newspapers report the change in the laws and issues arising from the trial?

Content analysis sample Safety, legal and road issues in relation to cycling 12 Queensland newspapers The Courier-Mail and 11 regional titles Paid-for dailies in regional government areas of 50,000 or more, and a weekday circulation of 5000 or more Eight APN and four News Corp Australia publications April 2, 2014 and January 1, 2015. Proquest ANZ Newstand database Search terms included cycling, cyclists, bikes, bike safety, 1m rule, and bike laws.

Fraser Coast Chronicle   Editorial articles User-generated items The Courier-Mail 20 5 The Cairns Post 34 67 Fraser Coast Chronicle 1 11 The Observer 7 Gold Coast Bulletin 19 69 The Daily Mercury 9 33 NewsMail 8 26 The Queensland Times 12 The Morning Bulletin 17 Sunshine Coast Daily 16 The Chronicle 13 Townsville Bulletin Total 162 305 Results 467 articles on cycling and safety 162 stories produced by journalists (news, features, comment, editorials). 305 user-generated items (letters/texts to the editor, published social media posts)

Topics A single issue in 343 cases More than one issue in 124 cases Cycling behaviour – 127 stories New laws – 90 Accidents – 30 Cycling registration – 28 Motorist behaviour – 17 More than one issue in 124 cases Cycling behaviour (with another issue) – 111 New laws – 95 Motorist behaviour – 43 Cycling registration – 36

Perceptions of new laws 200 items mentioned the new road rules Negative “What a stupid idea this is” (The Cairns Post, April 12) “The new 1 metre rule for bikes is ridiculous” (Gold Coast Bulletin, May 13) “The bicycle rules suck” (The Daily Mercury, April 14) Positive “The new road rules have helped” (The Morning Bulletin, May 9) They have “made the roads safer for cyclists” (Sunshine Coast Daily, 30 October).

Perceptions of new laws Positive – 38 stories Negative – 104 stories 72 journalist-generated stories (29 positive, 23 negative) 128 user-generated items (9 positive, 81 negative) By owners News Corp Australia – Positive (17%), Negative (48%) APN – Positive (22%), Negative (58%)

Questions about the laws 28 stories had questions about the laws (all user-generated) “Doesn't the 1m-1.5m rule only relate to when passing?” (The Daily Mercury, May 6) “PLEASE tell me how do you use this one-metre (cyclist and driver) rule?” (The Observer, July 10) “Where exactly does the burden of proof lie?” (The Courier-Mail, July 5). 18 of the questions were asked in stories in April; 8 from May to July 27 of 305 (8.85%) user-generated articles included questions. Suggests clearer messages needed when implementing laws.

Law breaking Seventy-three stories mentioned breaking laws (according to descriptions in articles) Cyclists were accused in 39 articles Motorists in 24 Both cyclists and motorists in 10 By story type 45 journalist-produced articles – cyclists blamed 13 times, motorists 22, and both in nine 30 user-generated stories – cyclists blamed 26 times, motorists twice, and both once

Road wars 45 items mentioned road war-style themes and conflict “The war between cyclists and motorists could soon spill into parliament” (The Courier-Mail, July 25, news story) “Let's hope new ‘minimum passing limit’ laws don't spark a new ‘motorists v cyclists’ war” (The Daily Mercury, April 3, editorial) “If it comes to hitting another car to give them a metre well I'm sorry it won't be the car I hit!” (The Queensland Times, April 8, facebook) 26 journalist-produced stories, 19 user-generated items. News Corp Australia 26, APN 19  9.63% of stories in the sample  The comments show the animosity between cars and drivers, published through the media

Road courtesy 51 items “The Bulletin pleads with drivers and cyclists to be patient and show respect” (Gold Coast Bulletin, April 3, editorial) “I think it's just a matter of having more respect and looking out for each other” (NewsMail, June 5, facebook) “Our message is we can coexist on roads and that's only going to get stronger and stronger" (The Queensland Times, July 14, news story). 34 journalist-generated stories, 17 user-generated stories News Corp Australia 33 (The Cairns Post 18), APN 18 Newspapers playing a role in road safety campaigns

General portrayal of cyclists Cyclists mentioned specifically in 426 of the stories Portrayed positively in 81 instances. Eg following the laws, being safe, benefiting from the changes, achieving fitness and good health Negatively in 205 articles Eg “There are plenty of reasons to hate cyclists” (The Cairns Post, April 12); “Why are cyclists allowed to terrorise people on footpaths” (Gold Coast Bulletin, May 12); or cyclists breaking laws, or calls for registration. Journalist-produced stories – 47 positive, and 35 negative News Corp Australia 13% positive, 51% negative APN 27% positive, 45% negative User-generated items – 34 positive, 170 negative

Conclusions Fear and loathing for cyclists on Queensland roads – and online Journalist-generated stories more balanced overall and, at times, pushing a road safety message (similar to car fatality campaigns) Significant differences in what the community is seeing – and saying – about cyclists compared with what is being written in newspapers reports Reader questions about laws suggest clearer messages across media could be helpful from governments when introducing this type of legislation