New South Wales ditches plans to force cyclists to carry ID

The New South Wales government has said that it will not be bringing in mandatory photo ID for cyclists. The Guardian reports that the rule had been due to be introduced in March with $106 fines for those who failed to comply.

A petition against the measure launched by the Australian Cycle Alliance attracted over 10,000 signatories, and following consultation with cycling groups, roads minister Duncan Gay has announced the government will instead “encourage” cyclists to carry ID or “emergency contact cards.”

A recent Bicycle NSW survey revealed that 93 per cent of cyclists already carried ID.

In a statement, Gay said the compromise “struck the right balance between safety and convenience.”

The requirement for cyclists to carry photo ID was announced in December 2015 alongside a raft of changes to laws relating to cyclists.

While a minimum passing distance law was introduced, fines for a number of cycling infringements were increased significantly.

Cyclists in the state now face being fined $315 for failing to wear a helmet and $425 for running a red light.

The fines have brought in $1.33 million since they were introduced on March 1, leading Penny Sharpe, environment spokeswoman for Australia’s Labor party, to brand them “nothing more than a nice little cash cow for the government.”

Gay rejected that however, saying, “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.”