NSW cyclists must carry ID and will face same fines as drivers under new laws Read more

The NSW government continued its confused and confusing transport policy on Monday by introducing new laws aimed at cyclists. Among the initiatives is a plan to introduce “metre matters” laws from next March. It finally brings NSW into line with many other states in Australia, including Queensland, which has been conducting a well-received trial since 2014.

The proposed law states that motorists should leave a metre clearance when passing a cyclist at 60km per hour or less, and 1.5m at higher speeds. Cyclists are particularly fragile road-users. They face the rigours of city roads without two tonnes of metal armour. This law recognises that motorists should sensibly give their vulnerable fellow commuters extra space.

Of course, this sensible legislation will be met with bile from the usual suspects. Claims that Sydney roads are too narrow to pass with a metre of space and cyclists are too slow will be given much prominence in the tabloid media and on talkback radio. These criticisms ignore the fact that Sydney roads are often so clogged with traffic, cycling is the quickest alternative over short and medium distances. It’s not the cyclist holding up traffic, but the scores of single motorists in long lines at every traffic light.

Of course it’s rather ironic that a government seemingly intent on dismantling cycle paths should now want to enforce safe passing laws. If cyclists had their own path, these laws may not be needed. However, the law is very welcome and every cyclist will wait to see if they are enforced.

That’s the good news.

Alongside this initiative, come a few rather bewildering changes.

Cyclists will now be required to carry identification. I call this the “we haven’t figured out a sensible way to register bikes, so we’ll do the next best thing” law. It addresses no pressing road safety issue and no law-enforcement requirement. The police have been issuing infringement notices to cyclists for years without this legislation and, no doubt, will continue to do so. Maybe the minister for roads just wanted to see an extra bulge in our lycra?

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There have also been significant increases in fines for certain cycling offences.

The penalty for running a red light will rise from $71 to $425, matching the figure motorists pay for the same offence. “About time,” scream a thousand red-faced motorists who fervently believe cyclists should be treated equally. Except when the same cyclist asks for space on the road. This legislation will see cyclists who are marooned at intersections because their light weight doesn’t set off the road sensors, simply crossing to the footpath to press the pedestrian walk button. Cue outrage from pedestrians forced to share their space with “two-wheeled hoons”.

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The other “cycle-friendly” measure will be the raising of the fine for cycling without a helmet from $71 to $319. Very few countries in the world have such draconian legislation. Cities throughout Europe have bike-share schemes to enable tourists and locals to see the sights. Nowhere else are you required to don a hardhat. In Australia, our bike share schemes are failing precisely because of this legislation. It seems to me this law is designed to stop people from enjoying the benefits of cycling. If everyone starts doing it, the authorities will have to construct infrastructure rather than dismantling it.

So it’s one pedal forward, two strokes back for NSW. Already on cycling social media sites, the discussion is centred on which piece of legislation the police will target. Certainly, the “metre matters” legislation is long overdue. We can only hope that police will focus on this aspect. It will save lives.