- 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
- commuting
- racing
- tourism
- mountain biking
Contents
A list of BUGs in regional and country NSW. See for here for Sydney Bicycle Users Groups
- Ballina
- IBUG (Illawarra)
- KBUG (Kiama)
- NCM (Newcastle Cycleways Movement)
- Bathurst to Blaney
- Loop the Lake (Lake Macquarie)
- Sydney Spring Cycle (North Sydney to Olympic Park)
- The 'Gong Ride (Sydney to Wollongong)
- Sydney to the Hunter (Sydney to the Hunter Valley)
- Ride Around the Lake (40km loop around Lake Illawarra in Wollongong)
Buses
Bicycles are not carried on buses in NSW.
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 CityRail Endeavour and CountryLink Xplorer services to regional areas such as Kiama, Goulbourn and Canberra and Armidale. Hanging space is provided for bicycles in every second carriage.
CountryLink XPT services (Melbourne, Brisbane, Dubbo) require bicycles to be boxed and placed in the luggage car.
Cyclists should be aware that they have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users, but have additional rules specific to them[2]. The RTA has set up a webpage summarising these rules[3], as have members of the public.[4]
Bicycles are allowed to "hook turn" to make right hand turns at intersections.[5].
Bicycles (as well as a selection of other vehicles) are allowed to ride in "Bus Lanes", but not "Bus Only Lanes"[6].
Australia pioneered the Mandatory Helmet Law in 1990[7]. Helmet wearing[8], 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
- When reporting an incident to the NSW police, say you are prepared to make a statement, have the time, date & place of the incident & the registered number of the car.
- Ask for an event number from the Computerised Operational Policing System (COPS). If your request is denied ask to speak with the Supervising Sergeant or the Duty Officer.
- If not satisfied with that avenue, then the Local Area Commander or Ombudsman is your next step.
Relevant Legislation
Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999 No 20 Part 3 Division 1 Section 43 Menacing driving [9]
(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 menaceA 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)
- ^ Participation in exercise, recreation and sport in NSW, 2009
- ^ http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+pt.15+0+N
- ^ http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycles/cyclingrules.html
- ^ http://www.massbug.org.au/cgi-bin/twiki/bin/view/MASSBUG/NSWRoadRules
- ^ http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+pt.4-div.3-rule.35+0+N
- ^ http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycles/cyclingrules.html>
- ^ http://www.cycle-helmets.com/
- ^ http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycles/helmetandgear.html
- ^ http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/inforce/act+20+1999+pt.3-div.1-sec.43+0+N/
External links
Categories:- Cycling in New South Wales (Australia)
- Cycling stubs
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