Cycling in New South Wales

Cycling in the Australian state of New South Wales(including its capital Sydney) is a common form of recreation. In 2009, cycling was the fifth-most popular sports/physical activities in NSW.[1]

Common cycling activities in NSW include

Regional Bugs

A list of BUGs in regional and country NSW. See for here for Sydney Bicycle Users Groups

Regional Trails

Bicycle routes in NSW are poorly marked, if markings are present, and route mapping is predominantly the responsibility of the cyclist. In particular, separated cycleways or shared paths have their entrances and exits poorly marked for cyclists using the NSW system of highways for travel. State mandated routes do exist chiefly as part of the aspiration for a Coastline cycleway, though these are disconnected and sporadic, with long routes in the Illawarra and Hunter Valley.[2]

Occasionally regional council routes manage to connect, though often this is due to the accident of high-speed routes following major vehicle highways as on-road facilities on the shoulder, such as the link between Maitland and Newcastle via the New England Highway's shoulder.

Most regional bicycle trails and routes tend to be disconnected sections of shared pathway, aimed predominantly at leisure or local shopping purposes.

Annual Rides

Annual Races

Public transport

Buses

Bicycles are generally not carried on buses operated by the Government in NSW cities and towns. There are some exceptions, such as when cyclists are stranded by a ferry or train service being cancelled and buses are organised to carry passengers, including their bicycles.

Bicycles are carried by Country Link and private coaches on regional routes.

Ferries

See here for details about taking bicycles on ferries in Sydney

Trains

For the price of a child's ticket, you can take your bicycle on NSW TrainLink Endeavour and Xplorer services to regional areas such as Kiama, Goulbourn and Canberra and Armidale. Hanging space is provided for bicycles in every second carriage.

XPT services (Melbourne, Brisbane, Dubbo) require bicycles to be boxed and placed in the luggage car.

Regulations

Cyclists should be aware that they have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users, but have additional rules specific to them.[3] The NSW government has set up a webpage summarising these rules,[4] as have members of the public.[5]

Bicycles are allowed to "hook turn" to make right hand turns at intersections.[6]

Bicycles (as well as a selection of other vehicles) are allowed to ride in "Bus Lanes", but not "Bus Only Lanes".[7]

Australia pioneered the Mandatory Helmet Law in 1990.[8] Helmet wearing,[9] a bell and when riding at night, proper reflectors and night lighting are required in Australia. See also Bicycle helmets in Australia

Reporting dangerous behaviour by drivers

Relevant Legislation

Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999 No 20 Part 3 Division 1 Section 43 Menacing driving [10]

(1) Offence—intent to menace

A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road or road related area in a manner that menaces another person with the intention of menacing that other person.

Maximum penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 18 months or both (in the case of a first offence) or 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years or both (in the case of a second or subsequent offence).


(2) Offence—possibility of menace

A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road or road related area in a manner that menaces another person if the person ought to have known that the other person might be menaced.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months or both (in the case of a first offence) or 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 18 months or both (in the case of a second or subsequent offence)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Participation in exercise, recreation and sport in NSW, 2009
  2. ↑ cf: council documents
  3. ↑ http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+pt.15+0+N
  4. ↑ http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/get_riding/nsw_road_rules.html
  5. ↑ http://www.massbug.org.au/cgi-bin/twiki/bin/view/MASSBUG/NSWRoadRules
  6. ↑ http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+pt.4-div.3-rule.35+0+N
  7. ↑ http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/get_riding/nsw_road_rules.html
  8. ↑ http://www.cycle-helmets.com/
  9. ↑ http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/get_riding/nsw_road_rules.html
  10. ↑ http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/inforce/act+20+1999+pt.3-div.1-sec.43+0+N/

External links

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