CYCLISTS could be allowed on footpaths and cars would be forced to drive on city streets at just 30km/h if a submission made to an inquiry into road safety is heeded by the state government.

As part of the NSW Parliament’s Inquiry into Driver Education, Training and Road Safety, peak cycling body Bicycle Network has called on the NSW Parliament to consider the measures as a way of increasing the number and safety of cyclists on the road.

Among many suggestions, the submission calls for the state government to allow people of all ages to ride bicycles on footpaths, except where separated cycleways have already been provided.

Bicycle Network also recommends it legislates to reduce traffic speeds to 30km/h around residential areas, school zones and selected activity centres.

media_camera Cyclists want to be able to ride legally on footpaths.

Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said that the preferred solution to many of the issues caused by bikes and cars interacting on congested roads is always dedicated cycling lanes.

However, until infrastructure catches up to the need, the secondary measures would go a long way to addressing some of the risks cyclists face, he said.

All states apart from NSW and Victoria allow cyclists to ride on footpaths, who only allow children up to the age of 12 to ride off road.

Legislating to open this option up to all ages would allow bike riders to get their confidence up and stay off roads which have gaps in cycling infrastructure and appear dangerous to cyclists, Mr Richards said.

Scientific evidence shows that at 12 children do not have their periphery and risk taking skills fully developed, meaning “we don’t want people that age suddenly jumping on bike,” he said.

media_camera Police out in force warning and booking cyclists at Darling Harbour last year.

While some people might be worried about cyclists speeding down footpaths causing chaos, serious riders will always choose to ride on the road, he said.

“We always say cyclists need to be respectful and ride no faster than a human can run, otherwise we’re creating the same situation as bikes are in with cars,” Mr Richards said.

The perception that “packs of 30 Lycra-clad riders” will take over the footpath is not realistic, he said, as it’s “really just for kids or people who are just getting started” or for gaps in bicycle infrastructure, he said.

“No one’s going to ride down George St on footpath,” he said.

The second option reflects that on residential roads “the best thing you can do is slow vehicles down through traffic calming,” Mr Richards said.

“If cars and cyclists are travelling at the same speed bike riders feel much more comfortable and their risk is reduced,” he said.

media_camera A cyclist is fined for not wearing a helmet.

The difference in impact between a car hitting a cyclist at 60km/h and 30km/h increases chance of survival from ten per cent to 90 per cent.

The main objection to this suggestion is that “it already takes too long to get somewhere as it is,” Mr Richards said.

“People are time pressured and the last thing people want is for it to take a longer time to get to their destination when they’re already delayed because of congestion,” he said.

“But generally when you ask people, think about the streets you live in, how do you feel about people driving fast when your family or kids (are there),” he said.

Scientific modelling has actually also shown that the slower vehicles are asked to drive, the quicker they arrive at their destination as a result of being able to travel closer to one another and allow for a more efficient flow effect, Mr Richards said.

Police blitz on cyclists

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the safety of cyclists was one of its top priorities and last year the NSW Government introduced changes to the minimum distance passing laws.

“Footpaths are there to keep pedestrians safe. All bicycle riders may use other dedicated cycling infrastructure such as shared paths, bicycle paths, bicycle lanes and riding on the road,” she said.

“In 2016, five bicycle riders died on NSW roads, down from seven in 2015. This was the lowest number of bicycle rider fatalities on record.

“Serious injuries among cyclists are also down, with 100 fewer in the past two years.”