Tough penalties and compulsory laws for cyclists in Australia
- Aug 31, 2016
- EmmaArnold
Cyclists have seen dramatic increase in fines for not wearing a helmet and jumping red lights in Sydney.
Authorities in the Australian city will also make it compulsory for cyclists to carry identification, alongside the current rule on helmets, by next year.
The fine for not wearing a helmet rose from $71 to $319 and if a cyclist fails to stop at a pedestrian crossing they are now fined $425 which, again, rose from the previous $71 fine.
Hugh Potter, partner at PotterReesDolan and keen cyclist, said:
We must obey the rules of the road and that’s fine. But the rules must be sensible!
The rise in fines comes as cycling injuries in the area of New South Wales remain high and so the minister for roads argued he has "no choice but to look at tougher deterrents and increased enforcement."
As well as the tougher fines on Sydney's cyclists, they will also have to carry identification at all times when cycling as of March next year.
Some cyclists believe imposing this law will be discriminating to cyclists as there was never an issue in identifying cyclists.
Here on the other side of the world, the number of cyclist injuries on our roads is also an issue.
As with any accident on the road, whether it involves a pedestrian, a vehicle or a cyclist, insurance is an issue and the debate over whether or not cyclists should be legally obliged to have insurance is a lively one.
Should cyclist insurance be made compulsory or is it a waste of time? What are the pros and cons? Read here what two keen cyclists and solicitors at PotterReesDolan had to say.