What it means for cyclists
Cyclists riding without a helmet or riding a bicycle that is being towed by a vehicle will receive a $319 fine. Cyclists riding through a red traffic light, riding recklessly or not stopping at a pedestrian crossing will get a $425 fine. Until a few days ago, fines for these offenses were $71.
If you don't have a bell on your bicycle, it's a $106 fine.
From March 2017, NSW cyclists will have to carry photo identification with them. If they don't, they'll also be fined $106. A current Australian or international driver's licence, a NSW Photo Card or a passport are all valid ID. A photo of one of these documents on a phone or on another electronic device will also be accepted.
What it means for drivers
Drivers will also have to adapt to new laws. They'll have to keep a distance of at least 1 to 1.5 metre between their car and cyclists. If they don't, they could get a $319 fine.
More details about these new laws in this video:
The controversy
According to the NSW Government, those fines, which are among the highest in the world, will help to make roads safer.
Craig Fry, Associate Professor, Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing, at Victoria University, also believes the campaign will have positive results. 'In essence, the message is that safer road use is the shared responsibility of all road users, cyclists included. It is the right message,' he says.
However, many cycling advocates believe the government is sending an anti-cycling message. They think there are other ways to make roads safer, giving the example of European countries where wearing a helmet is not mandatory, but where there are many more bike paths.
The chief executive of Bicycle Network, Craig Richards, says that Australia will become laughing stock of the world because of the law forcing cyclists to carry ID. Even the premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, made fun of the new law:
Elsewhere in Australia
Carrying an ID while cycling is not required in the other Australian states. Wearing a helmet is mandatory across the country, but the fines are much lower in other states. In Victoria, for example, the fine is $185. It's $117 in Queensland and $50 in Western Australia.
Australia is the first country in the world to make bicycle helmets mandatory. It's also one of the very few countries to actually give fines to wrongdoers.
