'Absolute right of way' for motorists

I saw this letter in the 'Motoring Questions' section of my NRMA magazine (NRMA is the roadside assistance org. for New South Wales in Australia - who you call if you break down):

Q: Does Australian Road Rule 253 (the rider of a bicycle must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver or pedestrian) override other rules governing intersections, giving motorists absolute right of way over cyclists?

My answer would be: You wish! :rolleyes: Yep, just leave the poor cyclist stranded at a busy intersection, waiting forever, until there are NO cars anywhere in sight! And then they can creep their unworthy little butts across as fast as they can in case they might cause a traffic hazard! :o

Their answer:

A: Road Rule 253 (now under Road Rules 2008) does not give motorists absolute right of way over cyclists. The rule exists to cover 'extreme' circumstances, such as when a cyclist might deliberately swerve in front of a motor vehicle, thus raising the likelihood of a crash.

Yes....and you hear about cyclists deliberately swerving in front of motor vehicles ALL the time - never the other way round of course!:rolleyes: (That was more sarcasm in case the rolleyes smiley wasn't enough of a clue!)