After one cyclist was caught on camera verbally insulting a mother, there is growing momentum in Australia for the introduction of a riding license.
Last week, Tony Lally, an Irish biker, confronted Monique, a single mother, while she was driving along Pittwater Road on Sydney’s northern beaches.
The 68-year-old opened her driver’s side door and started ranting at the mother as the mother got out her phone to record the incident.
Mr. Lally shouted at her, “You f***ing c***,” as he appeared to try to swat the phone away while leaning into her car.
You f**king obese c***, are you blind. You stopped me and drew immediately in front of me! You almost sent me flying!”
The terrifying incident has led many to wonder whether bikers should be required to get a license in order to control and enlighten “dangerous” push bike riders who ride in groups and “take up automobile lanes” on the roads.
One Australian wrote, “[They’ve got] all the bikeways in the world and they want ride on the road.”
Another person commented, “Totally agree, cyclists ought to be licensed.”
Since there are already many laws and regulations imposed on Australians by three different levels of government, the argument has continued to be divisive in NSW over the past few years.
Following an increase in horrific accidents, NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay advocated for the introduction of a cycling license in 2014.
His goal was to reduce road fatalities.
Advocates did not favor the idea, and it was never implemented. Instead, Mr. Gay increased fines for cyclists who broke traffic laws.
The penalties for not wearing a helmet increased to $330, for running a red signal to $439, for riding carelessly, violently, or dangerously to $439, and for failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing to $439.
The fines were increased to match the drivers.
As towing businesses struggle with an increase in calls from off-road drivers who have become stuck, there were also requests for 4WD drivers to receive licenses.
The chief executive officer of Bicycle NSW, the state’s leading bicycle advocacy group, Peter McLean, previously told Daily Mail Australia that the discussion is complicated because it raises the issue of whether the license should be applied to the rider or the bike, or both.
He stated that although his organization had discussed such measures with the government, he thought that boosting safety for bike riders and motorists was a question of education.
The majority of cyclists, according to Mr. McLean, also possess driver’s licenses and are aware of traffic laws.
“Drivers must be aware that cyclists take up less space on the road, and cyclists must be aware of drivers.”
To change the culture in Australia, education and awareness are essential steps. We also need to show more consideration for other road users.
It takes two to tango, Mr. Lally is heard saying as he pulls out his own phone to capture Monique in the confrontational incident from last week.
Then Monique yelled back at him, and he galloped off.
Mr. Lally is a high-flying executive who has held positions at some of Australia’s biggest financial and pension companies, according to Daily Mail Australia.
Mr. Lally is the Independent Chair for Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited, according to his LinkedIn profile.
According to Tony’s LinkedIn profile, “Tony has a solid professional network within the financial services sector.”
He has a wealth of expertise in the superannuation sector, having served as the CEO of a significant fund, as well as a non-executive director and non-executive chair of a significant industry representative body.
He vigorously advocates for member advantages and business connections.
The industry fund Sunsuper, which recently merged with QSuper to become Australian Retirement Trust, also once had Mr. Lally as its CEO.
Mr. Lally competed in the individual cycling road race event for Ireland at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.
Since then, people have been vying for his riding skills.
Mr. Lally was originally listed as a “member of the coaching commission” for Cycling Australia on LinkedIn.
Mr. Lally, according to Cycling Australia, is no longer associated with the group.
Regardless of the type of vehicle or mode of transportation, all users of the road are encouraged to respect and care for one another, according to a spokesman.
Mr. Lally often uploads his bike routes to the fitness program Strava, and on the day of the altercation, he is thought to have traveled 100 kilometers.
It was Mr. Lally in the video, according to several sources.
On Sydney’s north shore, he is the owner of a lavish five-bedroom mansion.
He gave the reporter a death gaze and closed the door when Daily Mail Australia knocked on his door.
When Mr. Lally rode away from the scene while he and the mother both threatened to contact the police, the video came to an end.
Monique, who stated she gave Mr. Lally plenty of room and gave him the finger as she turned, claimed that “the day after it happened, I just broke apart.”
I was trembling. I was unable to drive.
Driving wasn’t secure.