Surfers and yoga fans will bear the brunt of new bike helmet laws, claim cyclists

New bike laws which will mean people caught not wearing a helmet will have to pay fines of more than $300, will ‘change’ Manly, claim cyclists.

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Cyclists  fear new state bike laws could change the face and feel of Manly.

Jim Buda, president of the Manly Warringah Cycling Club, and bike designer Dave Musgrove, met with Manly MP Mike Baird to air their concerns new laws would make Manly a “less liveable” suburb.

The changes, due to come into force on March 1, will see a rise in fines for cyclists caught not wearing a helmet, from $71 to $319, and all cyclists having to carry valid government-issued photo ID.

“The proposed laws would not seriously impact on the Lycra roadies,” said Manly architect Mr Buda, 61.

“It will impact on the girls or townies going to yoga, the guy in boardies going to check the surf ... the tourist.

Dave Musgrove with son Bob, 13 months, and Jim Buda from the Manly Warringah Cycle Club are concerned about helmet laws. Picture: Troy Snook

“Hitting these users with a $319 fine will not make Manly a better place. It will make it look dumb and over regulated.”

Mr Buda, who along with Mr Musgrove, from Manly Vale, always wears a helmet, fears that the casual cyclist heading to the beach or cafe will abandon their bikes and use their cars, resulting in even more congestion around the town.

He said it could also be detrimental to tourism.

“We encourage all riders to wear helmets but we also accept that adults should be capable of making their own risk assessments,” he said.

“We are anti the nanny state.

Young Bob Musgrove is one happy traveller on his dad’s Dave’s bike. Pictured with Jim Buda from the Manly Warringah Cycle Club. Picture: Troy Snook

“Also, should any wowsers get worked up, I suggest that they respond with data from local hospitals showing levels of head injuries resulting from falling from a bike on the bike paths of Manly.”

Mr Musgrove, 31, who designs bikes for Sydney company Cell Bikes, questioned why it should be mandatory for all cyclists to carry photo ID, when not even motorists are required to, as a driving licence is to document competency, not for identification.

Bicycle Network is hosting a rally against the new laws at Martin Place at 7:30am tomorrow.

Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said the harsh new laws would also set NSW back decades.

A spokesman from Mr Baird’s office said they do not comment on what is said in private meetings.