Bikes on footpaths could be banned near main roads in Adelaide’s northeast

CYCLISTS could be banned from riding on footpaths alongside many main roads under a plan by one Adelaide councillor.

There are growing calls to ban cyclists riding on footpaths, or limit where or how fast they can ride.

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CYCLISTS would be banned from riding on footpaths alongside many main roads under a push by a Campbelltown councillor.

Max Amber will this week ask for an investigation into whether councils have the power to ban cyclists from using footpaths on main roads with dedicated bicycle lanes, including Gorge, Montacute, St Bernards and Magill roads.

Cr Amber’s call comes after two pedestrians were hit and injured by cyclists riding on footpaths in separate incidents last month, both on Currie St, and a Salisbury councillor called for bikes to footpaths to be forced to ride at walking speed.

Cr Amber did not want a repeat of the city crashes in the northeast.

“Bikes on footpaths is just crazy stuff,” Cr Amber said.

“It is so dangerous having cyclists on footpaths and I will push to have them banned because I am getting emails from people saying they have nearly been knocked over by cyclists.

“Motorists have to keep 1m away from cyclists even if they disobey their rules and ride outside the bike lane, so I want the council to ban riding on footpaths.”

Campbelltown last month failed to convince other SA councils at a Local Government Association meeting to back its bid to introduce bicycle registration.

That made the need to ban cyclists from footpaths even more important, Cr Amber said.

“There is no identification, so we can’t report those who do the wrong thing,” he said.

“Cyclists want everything their way, but if there are bike lanes on the roads near footpaths, I don’t see why we should allow them to ride on the footpath.”

Mayor Simon Brewer labelled Cr Amber’s suggestion a “waste of time”.

“If the council decides to support it, then they do so using an evidence-based approach,” Mr Brewer said.

“Is there an actual problem they are trying to resolve?”

Bike SA chief executive Christian Haag also opposed the move.

“The existing law, which allows anybody to ride on footpaths, is a very sensible one and ensures we are consistent with the rest of Australia,” Mr Haag said.

“Surveys from our membership show the ability for people to ride on footpaths encourages more people to get on their bikes.

“It is of concern that a local councillor would seek to inhibit people’s ability to get more physical activity in their daily lives.”

The council was expected to discuss Cr Amber’s suggestion at a meeting this week.