Cyclists: In recent years they’ve lost more than they’ve won. While cycle paths have been introduced beside city roads in Sydney hardly anyone uses them - and the negative aspects for riders are cruel.

Riding without a helmet has incurred a fine of $319 (£184) which is more than some speeding fines for motorists, while riders who pedal through a red light, even if the road is clear, are hit with a fine of $425 (£245). Next year, adult riders will have to carry ID or - yes - be issued with a $106 (£61) penalty.

Ricardo Servin, 28, student at Sydney University, says he walks on pavements because it's too dangerous on the roads

Bicycle courier Matt Nudman, 46, said: ‘The regulations are very tight for cyclists, with heavy fines for all kinds of rule-breaking. If you don’t have a bell, for example, it’s $400, but bells are not well accepted by the non-cycling public. They see it as a sign of aggression and get very angry.

Ricardo Servin, 28, archaelogist: ‘There’s madness out on the roads, which is why you’ll see me frequently pushing my bike on footpaths. The rules have been made to protect cyclists, such as it being the law to wear a helmet and have a bell - but not to ride on the footpath. I’ve come close to being killed several times by mad drivers and even mad cyclists.’

Smokers: While health and safety is behind introduced regulations, smokers who insist on continuing the habit for their own enjoyment complain bitterly about not being able to puff away in government buildings, pubs or even at cafe pavement tables and say the rules don’t work.

They insist that no-one is going to develop cancer from someone smoking outdoors and plain paper packaging introduced to reduce smoking has led to an increase in the use of cheaper, illegally imported cigarettes.

Kat Carmichael, 23-year-old waitress: ‘I’m a smoker - and I hate the rules that insist smokers stay well away from public buildings. The regulations make you feel a little bit dirty.’

Stephanie Blake, 22, studying for a travel and business diploma: “I’ve been smoking since I was 16 and no matter what rules they’ve introduced they haven’t stopped me smoking - which is what the overall plan is. Australia is such a contrast to Europe, which I’ve visited, where people smoke in bars all the time - wherever they like.'

Paul Borghetti, owner of the Grind Into Gear cafe, Sydney, says he is customers move their chairs too far out into the pavement

Footpath Dining: Speaking of outdoor dining, local councils are restricting the enjoyment of al fresco by ordering cafes and restaurants with a footpath area suitable for eating in the open air to obtain a permit ‘for the safety of both diners and pedestrians’.

Paul Borghetti, owner of Grind Into Gear cafe, Sydney: ‘I have outdoor tables but the rules ensure that I can’t just set them up as I want, or I’ll be fined. I have to make sure they don’t encroach too much out onto the pavement, but if someone wants to move their chair a little to sit in or out of the sun, I’m liable if a passer-by walks into them - even though that’s not likely to happen.’

Barbecues: The great Aussie larrikin himself, Paul Hogan, is credited with a rush on sales of gas and charcoal barbecues Down Under, but then along came the fun police and took the enjoyment out for many. It’s not possible to set up a portable barbecue just anywhere in the open and those tenants who create smoke from their balcony units fall under laws that prohibit smoke drifting next door.

Public Parks: It’s here that the fun police have a ‘field day’. Signs carry so many ‘DONTS’ that one joker suggested it would be quicker to read a novel than to go through the list of restrictions which, in general, include unleashed dogs, horses, golf practice (even with a plastic ball), soccer or cricket (unless with a permit) and picnics. Gatherings on beaches of more than 20 people or which are advertised on social media also draw fines unless a permit is obtained.

In favour: Stef Steiner says he has been pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and safety of children's playgrounds

Barbara Damiani, professional dog walker: ‘As you can see, these two Australian bulldogs I have with me on a lead are desperate to break away and run free. But there aren’t many places around Sydney where you can let them off the lead, without facing a fine. When I take dogs out, they just have to accept that if I let them off I’m breaking the law and I’ll be fined. The rules are there, so you just have to keep to them.’

Steff Steiner, ‘house husband’: ‘I and my family moved here recently from South Africa - and what an amazing change it was to find so many rules and regulations because I think they give a feeling of safety for children such as my young son (pictured with father). In Cape Town, where I come from, the parks are very bad. There are rules there but they are not enforced while here they clearly are. If you don’t wear a cycle helmet and you get badly injured, the taxpayer ends up paying your bill so it makes a lot of sense to enforce rules like that.’

Naomi Woodall, 37, mother of five-month-old Beau: ‘While many aspects of the rules make life less efficient they definitely make things safer while at the same time making life less enjoyable.'

Alcohol: Bottle shops (off licences) must lock their doors at 10pm at night, while what are known as lock-out laws mean that clubs and pubs cannot allow entry after 1.30am and can’t serve alcohol after 3am.

Mirell Gallini, 29, manageress of Mad Pizza Bar in Darlinghurst, adjoining Kings Cross: ‘The lock-out rules, preventing people coming in to licenced places at certain times in this area have hit establishments very badly. Our takings are down considerably.’

Anna Schefer, 21-year-old barmaid in Kings Cross: ‘People who haven’t been in the area for a while, not since the lock-out laws were brought in, look around at the place and ask me “What happened to the Cross?” They can’t believe that you can’t come back into a place after 1.30am once you’ve gone out and here in this bar after 10pm all drinks have to be served in plastic glasses. It’s to make sure nobody gets drunk and becomes involved in a fight with a glass.’

Advertising: Children are mainly the target of advertising bans, which restrict marketing on tv, billboards and even radio that could influence them - including ‘unhealthy’ fast foods and, of course, alcohol. But this also restricts the viewing of adults.

Old-fashioned: Paul Sharp, who travels around Australia with a stuffed great white shark in his old British bus, says 'You wouldn't believe the trouble I've had with rules and regulations in many places where I turn up'

Paul Sharp, 46, owner of a travelling shark museum: ‘I travel around the country in my 1957 British Leyland Royal Tiger bus with a stuffed great white shark in the back - so you can imagine the problems I have with permits to pull up in a new town and open the bus for spectators. In the old days, before the fun police stepped in, I’d just drop off a carton of beer to the local council and they’re happy for me to stop and open the bus. Those were the good old days of ‘No worries mate!’