Peninsula cyclists to cop fines for no helmet under tough new laws

Cyclists on the northern beaches will have to be on their best behaviour, with a new set of cycling laws to come into effect as of March.

Cyclists without helmets and riding across pedestrian crossings in Manly

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Cyclists on the northern beaches will have to be on their best behaviour, with a new set of cycling laws to come into effect as of March.

From March 1, all cyclists 18 and over must carry photo identification to ensure riders can be identified in an emergency, but also so that police have identification if the cyclist breaks the road rules.

Cyclists will have 12 months to adjust, however after the transition, they could be fined $106 for not carrying their I.D.

There will also be an increase in penalties for cyclists doing the wrong thing.

Fines will increase from $71 to $319 for not wearing a helmet or for holding on to a moving vehicle.

Riders could also be slugged $425 for either running a red light, riding dangerously or not stopping at a children’s pedestrian crossing.

The new scheme isn’t entirely focused on cyclists.

Drivers who pass a rider must allow a distance of 1 metre with the speed of 60km/h or less and 1.5 metres over 60km/h.

Drivers caught not doing this will face a $319 fine and lose two demerit points.