Ok I'm Australian and I can't really comment on the road issue.
But the comments on what he was wearing... who cares. Lot of people don't care about the whole lycra or jodhpurs shenanigan. A bike
can be just for transport.
And what's with the suggestions he's only cycling because he's lost his license? Thats the kind of pejorative attitude
motorists have... surely we can just appreciate the fact he's cycling, getting exercise and helping the planet without making backhanded comments about his desire to work for a living... I just don't get it. I know we are enthusiasts because we make the effort to come to a cycling forum, but we don't have to be snobs.
Then there is the helmet thing. Cycling isn't always or even often dangerous enough to need them. If society really cared about safety we would be wearing them in cars. My perspective is if its not law then its none of your business and you should respect his ability as an adult to make up his own mind. And if it is law, then its a stupid law and you should respect him even more for ignoring it.
