Recent Crackdown Grinds The Gears Of Locals

By Kate Myers on April 7, 2016 in News

On March 1, new state-imposed cycling regulations came into effect, marketed as necessary to improve road safety, but also to police the various violations by cyclists that many believe have gone unnoticed by authorities.

Referred to by many in the cycling community as “the anti-bike laws”, the legislation requires motorists to give cyclists a clearance of up to one and a half metres, but also sees increased penalties for cyclists who run red lights, fail to stop at pedestrian crossings, don’t wear a helmet or participate in other high risk behaviours.

The NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Duncan Gay, said the new legislation was an essential part of improving community safety.

“I recently announced a new cycling package developed in close consultation with stakeholders, including cycling groups,” Mr Gay said. “Since we announced the package and the community became more aware of the upcoming changes, I’ve personally noticed less risky behaviour from both cyclists and drivers.

The most controversial addition is the requirement that all cyclists carry a form of ID, a rule the state government believes enhances safety and increases cyclist confidence. John Buckton, President of the Randwick Botany Cycling Club, believes the law is unnecessary.

“It achieves nothing, with perhaps the macabre exception of being able to identify a deceased cyclist after they have been run over by a motor vehicle,” Mr Buckton said. “I can speak from experience having been in the police force just shy of 20 years with nearly all my service in traffic and the highway patrol. Personally I never had any problem with identifying cyclists.”

With 11.2% of people in NSW not in possession of a government issued ID, the law also presents logistical problems.

“It does nothing but disadvantage people who might want to go for a short ride to the beach or the shops,” Mr Buckton said. “God help the poor visitors to our country. Do they have to try and tuck their passports down their shorts as they explore our great city?”

The Eastern Suburbs have felt the effects of a recent crackdown targeting not only cyclists, but also motorists and pedestrians, for various offences. The triviality of penalised offences has locals concerned the new legislation targeting cyclists is merely the beginning of a worrying trend.

“Police should crack down on cyclists disobeying red lights and pedestrian crossings; we fully support this, Mr Buckton said.

“However, the petty enforcement of the requirement of cyclists to have a bell fitted to the bicycle is nothing short of a means of harassing and hassling cyclists.”

The Eastern Suburbs LAC were asked to comment on the recent crackdown and the impact of the new legislation, but declined.