NSW Cyclists Fined $1.33m in 2016.

[csv8]

THERE has been more than $1.33 million worth of fines issued to NSW cyclists since the state government introduced heavy-handed fines for two-wheel commuters.
The amount has already more than doubled what was collected for similar offences in the 2013-14 financial year, with multiple inner-city crackdowns contributing to the large sum.
Labor MP Penny Sharpe undertook the difficult task of finding the statistics from the state’s debt recovery unit and believes they demonstrate revenue raising at its best.
“The fines are nothing more than a nice little cash cow for the government,” she said.
Of the total value of fines, riding without a helmet has been the highest earner, with 3,171 infringements totalling $1,018,101.
The dubious infringement of “riding dangerously” was the next most lucrative offence, with 1,711 people handed $225,310 worth of fines.
While the 293 cyclists fined for not stopping at red lights or pedestrian crossings have contributed $89,838.
Although the NSW government claims the increased fines and crackdowns are aimed at improving cyclist safety, the statistics show something different.


When you think of criminals, a lady with a basket on her bike probably doesn’t spring to mind.
Ms Sharpe said this becomes apparent when comparing the excess of $1.33 million for cycling infringements to the $4857 of fines issued to motorists neglecting to comply to the safe passing distance legislation.

“The fines have very little to do about improving safety for cyclists because if this was the motive there would have been a more balanced crackdown,” she said.
Ms Sharpe said she believes the state government is trying everything in its power to discourage cycling, which is making Sydney a laughing stock to other world cities.
“NSW is a pretty rogue state in terms of this legislation. These fines are not seen anywhere else, which demonstrates outright hostility from our Roads Minister,” she said.
“Every other serious global city is encouraging cycling as it reduces congestion and improves health, but instead we are targeting cyclists.
“The increase in fines and removal of the College Street cycleway to make way for motorists is a clear example of this.”
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the new cycling package he had “personally noticed less risky behaviour from both cyclists and drivers”.
“I’ve been glad to see more cyclists wearing helmets, and more drivers leaving a safe distance as they go past cyclists – but there is still room for improvement,” he said.
“It is simple: we don’t want cyclist’s money - that is not why we increased fines for high-risk and downright stupid behaviour. These changes are about improving safety. I don’t want to see another dollar in fine revenue but I do hope to see a reduction in cyclist injuries.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/techno...7beaeeb93d53fc
My comment : I wish the QPol did this ...especially the distance gap ,where only the motorists gets fined in Q. Cyclists should too..

[xr6turbo2005]

Revenue raising at it's best.

[prydey]

would still be a very small percentage of the total number of road users who broke the law.

These journo's just know that if they put 'cyclist' in the headline, esp with a negative connotation they will get plenty of click traffic.

[FairmontGS]

Yeah, way to go NSW - less cyclists on the road doing the daily commute now than 2 years ago. Never seen such an anti-cycling city in my travels as Sydney. Even Cadell Evans reckons it's too risky and won't ride here.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by csv8

Of the total value of fines, riding without a helmet has been the highest earner, with 3,171 infringements totalling $1,018,101.
The dubious infringement of “riding dangerously” was the next most lucrative offence, with 1,711 people handed $225,310 worth of fines.
While the 293 cyclists fined for not stopping at red lights or pedestrian crossings have contributed $89,838.

As long as the offence was committed, the fines are warranted. They'd be the equivalent of being fined for not wearing a seatbelt; reckless driving; running a red light or failing to stop at pedestrian crossings.

If an offence would attract a penalty for a motorist, it should also attract the same penalty for any other road user whatever vehicle they happen to be travelling on. So frankly, I don't see why there is this fuss about cyclists being fined.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by NX74205

As long as the offence was committed, the fines are warranted. They'd be the equivalent of being fined for not wearing a seatbelt; reckless driving; running a red light or failing to stop at pedestrian crossings.

If an offence would attract a penalty for a motorist, it should also attract the same penalty for any other road user whatever vehicle they happen to be travelling on.

absolutely. I'm a cyclist and have no problem with any legislation. It actually does the good cyclists a favour, as its the ones who disregard the laws that get noticed and give us all a bad name.

the only thing that annoys me about these kinds of articles is the lack of balance. i wonder how much revenue was generated by law breaking motorists during the same time period? how many red light running motorists were there?

i hate the whole 'us v them' mentality. there is just a complete lack of respect for others in todays society. too many people so self absorbed in their own importance and 'rights' (all road users, not just one category) that they can't give two hoots about anyone else.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

What a stupid article, especially the way it is written, cyclists often think they are a law onto themselves. riding dangerously through traffic, running reds, not wearing helmets etc etc.

Pretty sure every one of those fines was well justified, and there are probably ten times as many cyclists who got away with it on a daily basis.

Same as every other road user, only a tiny percentage actually get caught.

In saying that I have nothing against cyclists, and I am a recreational cyclist myself, even though I don't tend to brave peak hour traffic on my bike, it's more riding dirt tracks and parklands for me, but it would be a rare week that I don't cover at least 15-20km's on my bike.

[Rallye Sport]

[QUOTE=
My comment : I wish the QPol did this ...especially the distance gap ,where only the motorists gets fined in Q. Cyclists should too..[/QUOTE]

I think they should... cars on the road and pedestrians on shared paths.
I'm in favour of giving them a metre of space on the roads, thats as close as I want to get to an old dude dressed in lycra...

[blueoval]

Im a cyclist also. I don't have an issue with fines being issued for those blatantly breaking the law. If cyclists want acceptance as part of the traffic, it is up to us to abide by the road rules just as much as drivers. That said, the safe passing distance law needs to be equally policed and appropriate fines given if 'cycling safety' is truly their mantra.

But I agree with Prydey when the article is worded in a way which will entice click bait.

[xr8cam]

I have no problem with cyclists having to 'pay' to use the roads like the rest of us. Give me one good reason why there should not be laws for every person who uses a road. There are laws for pedestrians, public transport, water craft etc. Most days in Sydney at 6am there is groups of 10 plus cyclists riding down Pacific Hwy from around the M1 all the way in to St Leonards & beyond. They take up a whole lane of traffic & cause nothing but chaos. Quite a few have died as a result of their stupidity, ie Overweight out of condition males who decide they will dress up in spandex & cycle in to work using the busiest roads in Australia at peak time. Try walking to the local train station or take your bike to a riding track (like along the M7) on the week end if you want to lose weight. I rode a motorcycle for years untill I moved to Sydney. Two reasons I sold it were the quality of roads & amount of traffic on the roads. Anybody who wants to ride a pushbike in peak traffic has massive issues imo, why not blindfold yourself & walk across the road whilst smoking a cigar? Pretty much the same result I would think. Buy a Prius & give up the take away & grog and leave the roads to those of us who enjoy driving our cars.

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by xr8cam

Most days in Sydney at 6am there is groups of 10 plus cyclists riding down Pacific Hwy from around the M1 all the way in to St Leonards & beyond. They take up a whole lane of traffic & cause nothing but chaos.

LOL Nothing but chaos? Well if you have trouble navigating past a group of 10 cyclists, who are side by side taking up a lane (as you're legally allowed to btw) so would be 5 cyclists long, so say around the length of a small truck, then Jesus please hand in your licence.

I'm amazed by how many have got done not wearing a helmet.. Personally I would never ride without one, and not because I am not confident in my own skill, but you never know what could happen, and the risk just isn't worth it.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by DBourne

LOL Nothing but chaos? Well if you have trouble navigating past a group of 10 cyclists, who are side by side taking up a lane (as you're legally allowed to btw) so would be 5 cyclists long, so say around the length of a small truck, then Jesus please hand in your licence.

I'm amazed by how many have got done not wearing a helmet.. Personally I would never ride without one, and not because I am not confident in my own skill, but you never know what could happen, and the risk just isn't worth it.

I agree Dave, I dont understand the exaggeration personally myself. I have passed more than 10 cyclists at a time before, using the opposite side of the road when its safe to do so with no issue. I find overtaking a truck or bus is harder to judge than a group of riders. Once the cyclists know you are behind them, they tend to get into a 1 line formation anyway which allows you to see ahead a lot easier for a better/easier maneuver. Buses and trucks rarely pull aside to let faster traffic past which is faaaar more annoying.

[xr8cam]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I agree Dave, I dont understand the exaggeration personally myself. I have passed more than 10 cyclists at a time before, using the opposite side of the road when its safe to do so with no issue. I find overtaking a truck or bus is harder to judge than a group of riders. Once the cyclists know you are behind them, they tend to get into a 1 line formation anyway which allows you to see ahead a lot easier for a better/easier maneuver. Buses and trucks rarely pull aside to let faster traffic past which is faaaar more annoying.

Exaggeration? You live in SA don't you? Do you know the road I am talking about? Any person who wants to be in the middle of one of the busiest hwys in the country on a pushbike ( insert your own description) Hey, if you want to do this in the name of fitness or doing your bit for the environment, go ahead.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by xr8cam

Exaggeration? You live in SA don't you? Do you know the road I am talking about? Any person who wants to be in the middle of one of the busiest hwys in the country on a pushbike ( insert your own description) Hey, if you want to do this in the name of fitness or doing your bit for the environment, go ahead.

I wasnt pointing the finger at you, so calm down. My reply was in response to Dave's comment about passing a group of riders. Not about the road you mentioned. Did I make it about your comment? If you chose to believe that, then that is your problem not mine. And yes, I do believe some people exaggerate it to make it sound worse than it is. That is based on my experience with people I have met who are not cyclists.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Once the cyclists know you are behind them, they tend to get into a 1 line formation

And that's when I realised you were taking the p1ss.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by DBourne

LOL Nothing but chaos? Well if you have trouble navigating past a group of 10 cyclists, who are side by side taking up a lane (as you're legally allowed to btw) so would be 5 cyclists long, so say around the length of a small truck, then Jesus please hand in your licence.

Here is how it works in Sydney' peak hour.

Driving in left lane approach cyclist doing 20km/h, he is holding up one of 2 lanes and causing chaos behind him, people start changing lanes to go around the cyclist and now the right lane is slowing down to let people in.

Drivers finally get around said cyclist, but then com up to a red light... now the cyclist lane splits and is at the front of the pack of cars that just overtook him.......Lights go green and it start again as once again drivers overtake the same cyclist again.

So one bike has a tendancy to cause a traffic jam and traffic chaos....as you generally need to change lanes and overtake the same bike or worse group of bikes after every set of lights...

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Here is how it works in Sydney' peak hour.

Driving in left lane approach cyclist doing 20km/h, he is holding up one of 2 lanes and causing chaos behind him, people start changing lanes to go around the cyclist and now the right lane is slowing down to let people in.

Drivers finally get around said cyclist, but then com up to a red light... now the cyclist lane splits and is at the front of the pack of cars that just overtook him.......Lights go green and it start again as once again drivers overtake the same cyclist again.

So one bike has a tendancy to cause a traffic jam and traffic chaos....as you generally need to change lanes and overtake the same bike or worse group of bikes after every set of lights...

And in real terms, how much time would it add to your commute?
30sec? 1min? 5min?? If that is your idea of chaos, don't move to Syria any time soon.
Also the fact that the bike could catch back up to the cars indicates traffic is pretty congested and slow moving anyway.
I don't ride up the left of cars that are stopped unless there is a bike lane because I know how many motorists think toward cyclists and try not to upset the precious ones more than i have to.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by prydey

30sec? 1min? 5min?? If that is your idea of chaos, don't move to Syria any time soon.

You shuldnt only consider the impact of the overtaking maneuvre. You need to consider the cumulative effect on all the traffic behind the cyclist.

Also the fact that the bike could catch back up to the cars indicates traffic is pretty congested and slow moving anyway.

Flimsy reasoning for slowing it even more.

The reality is that there is no good reason to mix vehicles with large speed differentials. They need to be segregated. They tried this in Sydney with dedicated cycle lanes... do you think the precious cyclists use them?

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by prydey

And in real terms, how much time would it add to your commute?
30sec? 1min? 5min?? If that is your idea of chaos, don't move to Syria any time soon.
Also the fact that the bike could catch back up to the cars indicates traffic is pretty congested and slow moving anyway.
I don't ride up the left of cars that are stopped unless there is a bike lane because I know how many motorists think toward cyclists and try not to upset the precious ones more than i have to.

It causes major delays and traffic jams, a small group of cyclists can cause hours of delays, a major arterial road of two lanes which in most cases is already too small is now cut in half, so instead of 100,000cars travelling down two lanes, they now have to merge and travel down one lane.

The effects are devastating to traffic flow and have a similar affect to a traffic accident it peak hour, even just a few cars slowing down can cause major delays.

Obviously you have no idea what Sydney peak hour traffic is like, where a 15km trip can easily take well over an hour.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by prydey

And in real terms, how much time would it add to your commute?
30sec? 1min? 5min?? If that is your idea of chaos, don't move to Syria any time soon.
Also the fact that the bike could catch back up to the cars indicates traffic is pretty congested and slow moving anyway.
I don't ride up the left of cars that are stopped unless there is a bike lane because I know how many motorists think toward cyclists and try not to upset the precious ones more than i have to.

30 seconds LOL...yeah OK, no point discussing if that's what you think

[commodorenutt]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Here is how it works in Sydney' peak hour.

Driving in left lane approach cyclist doing 20km/h, he is holding up one of 2 lanes and causing chaos behind him, people start changing lanes to go around the cyclist and now the right lane is slowing down to let people in.

Drivers finally get around said cyclist, but then com up to a red light... now the cyclist lane splits and is at the front of the pack of cars that just overtook him.......Lights go green and it start again as once again drivers overtake the same cyclist again.

So one bike has a tendancy to cause a traffic jam and traffic chaos....as you generally need to change lanes and overtake the same bike or worse group of bikes after every set of lights...

Same problem happens on higher speed roads with the zealots on underpowered step-thru scooters. No need to undergo safe riding course on the small examples - which are fine for around town. But get them out on an 80km/h arterial road like Windsor Rd, Lane Cove Rd, or the GWH where you have section where 2 or 3 lanes are doing 70-80km/h, flowing nicely, and the same problem occurs.

Approach a red light - they split the lanes up to the front, because they can, and they think they're really cool wannabe bikers. Light goes green, and they can't accelerate as fast as the cars - causing chaos as cars launch, and then brake - creating the earthworm effect. And finally they get up to the 50km or so top speed they all seem to have, and everyone has to move around them in the 80 zone. Finally get clear of them and resume the smooth flow, and these kamikazes repeat it all again at the next red light.

[Junkyard-Dog]

Give it a rest fellas.

[prydey]

[xr8cam]

I am perfectly calm, I'm not that insecure that I take strangers comments to heart. Please do not use the Lord's name in vain.

[Ben73]

Break the rules, and you get fined. That's how it works.

I have had at least two cyclist almost hit me at a pedestrian crossings because they couldn't be bothered to slow down. Yes I check that traffic stops before walking in it's path. I thought I better clear that up before someone tries to blame it on me.

They say they are vulnerable and cars should give them more than a metre, but many cyclists wont give vulnerable pedestrians a metre.

[dunga]

They should start fining bike rider for not using bike lanes when they are provided they winged like hell not enough bike lanes but don't use them.

[blueoval]

If people have such a problem with it, why aren't they doing something about it and approaching their local MP to get the laws changed? Ohhhh that's right, becoz straya, and that involves actually doing something, most are just here to stamp their feet & have a tanty lol I shake my head.

In SA the laws were changed for cyclists to ride on footpaths as well as all roads except freeways/motorways. How? Because cyclists got off their backsides and lobbied for it.

Back on topic though, just like drivers, break the law and you cop a fine. Wearing a helmet is not the end of the world, why riders avoid this is beyond me. Stopping at stop signs and traffic lights, again, not hard to be an example. But for the few who are idiots and do the wrong thing, it seems so easy to tarnish every single cyclist you see on the road with same brush isnt it? Sounds like prejudice to me.

[Rallye Sport]

Its all well and good handing out fines on the roads but how about the cycleways?


I had the mis-fortune of helping to construct and maintain the South Perth foreshore cycleway, a beaut piece of purpose built, silky smooth and ultimately high speed ribbon of tarmac.

We received worse treatment by the lycra set than any of them have ever received on the roads. The chubby middle aged men calling names at us, the workers, is water of a ducks back, but to see pedestrians abused, small children on trainer wheels being called names that rhyme with can't, dudes steaming full pelt through fun runs, high speeds, overtaking on bends and no regards for common sense or decency were like scenes from mad max... pure anarchy... they then carry the same attitude to the roads and then wonder why they get fined, abused or in the end run over.

So how about it, manners on the cycleways then you'll get some manners on the road?

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

So how about it, manners on the cycleways then you'll get some manners on the road?

Except drivers never see what happens on cycleways, so how is that going to work?

Not that I don't agree with you though.

As I've said a million times, both sides just need to be courteous of each other, but then again drivers have huge issues being courteous to other drivers, so good luck to us all really.

[prydey]

I think you'll find car drivers hate sharing the road with anyone. They whinge about pedestrians, cyclists, 4x4, SUV's, trucks, busses etc etc. Roads were apparently made for these precious few morons who clearly didn't get enough hugs when they were little.

Thankfully its a minority.