Cyclists’ traffic offences are rising with more than 7000 fined last year, latest police figures show

EXCLUSIVE: Traffic offences by cyclists are on the rise, with more than 7000 riders fined last year for red-light running, not wearing a helmet or having lights on their bikes.

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TRAFFIC offences by cyclists are on the rise with more than 7000 riders fined last year.

The cyclists were nabbed for red light running, not wearing a helmet or having lights on their bikes when riding at night, latest police figures show.

Recreational riders group Bike SA said the thousands of fines and cautions issued proved it’s a “myth” cyclists are above the law.

The 7190 expiation notices issued by police represented an increase of almost 24 per cent since 2014.

And, many cyclists can count themselves lucky as almost half of the offences detected by police resulted in a caution.

Those 3700 fined, however, were out of pocket by more than $538,000 in total last year.

A police spokesman said cyclists “must obey the same road rules as motorists”.

“Cyclists are among our most vulnerable road users and police urge them to obey all road rules and safely share the roads,’’ he said.

“Police will continue to enforce relevant road rules to ensure the safety of all cyclists and road users alike.’’

Bike SA chief executive Christian Haag said that the fines showed that cyclists did not get away with breaking the road rules.

Mr Haag said he welcomed police enforcement. “The increase in offences reflects an increase in the number of cyclists in recent years and that SAPOL are being more proactive in ensuring cyclists obey the rules,’’ Mr Haag said.

“It also reinforces the fact that the belief cyclists get away with breaking the rules is a myth.’’

Mr Haag said that there had been an increase in cyclists as a result of law changes and improved infrastructure, such as bike lanes and arterial bike ways.

“The recent law changes allowing riders on footpaths are particularly good for women and children because it engages them to cycle,’’ Mr Haag said.

“It also highlights the necessity to share the space because it’s a matter of mutual respect for riders, pedestrians and motorists to do the right thing.’’

Among other, less common bike busts were providing a dinky ride. Police figures show 13 cyclists were fined $104 and another three were cautioned for carrying a passenger last financial year.

Some seven cyclists were also busted during this period for failing to ride in a bike lane and two were caught failing to give way to a pedestrian on a shared path.

In contrast, 42 cyclists were busted for showing off by riding with no hands on the handle bars in 2015/16.