The new road rule that affects children
Children will be allowed to ride their bicycles on the footpath after the NSW Government caved to community pressure to prevent cyclists as young as 12 being forced onto busy city streets.
NSW was one of the only two states in Australia that required kids over the age of 12 to ride on roads. Currently, Victoria still has the law in place.
NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said the change in regulations would help keep young people safe.
“Children are some of our most vulnerable road users and as a Government we are always looking at new initiatives to protect our young people and support them to be safe on and near the road,” Ms Pavey said.
The new rules allow children up to the age of 16 to ride on the footpath. But anyone over the age of 16 must either ride on the road or on designated cycle paths unless they are cycling with and supervising a child.
However, campaigners said the law change doesn’t go far enough.
Bicycle NSW, the peak body for cyclists in the state, said everyone should be able to ride on footpaths as roads could be “intimidating” for many riders.
“Bicycle NSW is disappointed that the age has only been increased to 16. While this will see children continue to ride safer for longer, and also look after their physical and mental health, this law change does not cater for those newer or less confident riders,” Bicycle NSW’s Alistair Ferguson said.
“Footpaths can be a safe place off busy roads and can encourage more people to use a bicycle to move around their city.”
The organisation stressed that if cyclists were allowed on the footpath, they should be “conscious and courteous” of pedestrians.
From 2012-2017, two children under 16 years old in NSW died while cycling and 1770 were seriously injured.