When the Western Advocate published a story online this week about new speed limits on the Vale Road, we did not foresee the direction the discussion would take.

Rather than a reasoned debate about whether it was appropriate to drop the speed limit to 80km/h on a short section of the road heading into Perthville, the discussion soon degenerated into yet another battle over who had a greater right to be on the road – cars or bicycles.

Frustrated drivers took the chance to [again] complain about slow moving cyclists, sometimes riding four and five abreast, blocking their path on the way to town each morning.

Some demanded to know why cyclists needed to be on the road at all given Bathurst Regional Council had previously widened the Vale Road with the specific intention of providing cyclists a bike path off to the side.

Not to be outdone, plenty of cyclists quickly returned serve, accusing some motorists on the Vale Road and other roads across the region of reckless indifference to their safety.

They said the bike path at the side of the road was nothing of the sort and could not be used due to the large amount of gravel blown across the path by trucks driving past on Vale Road.

It is a debate that has been played out countless times in this town and many others in recent years and one that will never produce a winner.

In the blink of an eye, though, tensions between cyclists and drivers can produce a very clear loser – and a very tragic outcome.

Despite what motorists might say about the behaviour of [a minority] cyclists, there is never an excuse for intimidating or threatening behaviour behind the wheel.

Simply, the danger to the cyclist is too great and the balance of power between a car and a bike is too lopsided.

Cyclists would do well to remember their manners on the road and remember just how much they have to lose, but it is the person operating the motor vehicle that can do the most damage and so must do the most to ensure the safety of all road users.

If that means waiting a few moments for a safe time to pass, then that’s simply part of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of holding a driver’s licence.