Fierce debate erupts over who was in the wrong in clash between a motorcyclist and a ‘Karen’ boarding a Melbourne tram in Parkville

A confrontation between a motorcyclist and a woman at a tram stop has sparked heated debate among Australians.

Footage shared on social media shows a motorcyclist pulling up next to a tram in central Melbourne before attempting to drive through when the light turns green because the tram doors are ‘still closed’.

However, commuters then started crossing the road towards the tram, forcing the tram passenger to stop.

A woman among the women crossing stopped in front of the motorcyclist and waved her hand for her. She motioned for the man to stay still while she crossed and asked, “What are you doing?”

The motorcyclist responded with foul language and asked her: ‘What the f***?’

His 2024 Yamaha R7 started to roar and he drove away from behind her through the green light.

“Don’t block the roads, ma’am,” he later added in commentary to the video.

The brief interaction sparked hundreds of reactions online, after being reshared hundreds of times.

According to one commentator, it was possible that the tram passenger had made a mistake by stopping the tram, but it was difficult to tell because the tram’s stop signs were not visible.

However, many stood up for ‘Karen’.

“Karen is right. All vehicles must stop until the tram signs are off,” wrote one viewer.

“In this case the motorcyclist is Karen,” said another.

Some people found it difficult to understand the rules surrounding Melbourne’s tram stops.

“I actually have no knowledge of the traffic rules around trams and it stresses me out every time I drive near the city… I drive there about once every five years,” wrote one user.

“This seems like a really bad design for a transportation system,” said another.

However, the rules surrounding trams and stops were cited by numerous commentators.

“The general rule is that if a tram stops, you must also stop to give priority to passengers getting on or off,” wrote one Melbourne resident.

VicRoads states: ‘when a tram stops, you stop too’, with the expectation that all vehicles will allow pedestrians to pass and board the tram.

‘At roadside stops, you must remain behind the tram until the doors close and pedestrians have finished crossing.

‘As soon as the tram doors are closed and all pedestrians have left the road, you may pass the tram. You may not drive faster than 10 km/h when passing a stationary tram with its doors closed.’

Drivers caught failing to stop for a tram in Victoria could be given an on-the-spot fine of $462.