Bicycle groups renew push for cyclists on footpaths

PEDESTRIANS could soon share the footpath with cyclists of all ages under a renewed push to alter road rules for public walkways.

PEDESTRIANS could soon have to share the footpath with cyclists of all ages.

Victoria and New South Wales are the only states in which only children aged up to 12 can ride on public paths.

Older riders are required to cycle on roads or shared areas.

But bicycle campaigners have resumed efforts to bring the law in line with that in other states, and allow older and inexperienced cyclists to pedal off the roadway.

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Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said opening the paths to cyclists of all ages would encourage more people to ride.

“It’s absurd that a 12-year-old is thrown on to the road and can’t even ride to school with a younger brother or sister on the footpath,” he said. “(If the law changes) both younger and elderly people will feel more confident riding, as will less experienced riders.

“Footpath riding will also allow bike riders to avoid dangerous on-road situations where they are thrown in among heavy traffic.”

Mr Richards said the Bicycle Network had spent years asking for footpath riding rules to be changed.

“Authorities are considering our calls for change … There seems to be some reluctance to change what has been a long-term law, but with mounting support for change from the community we hope that reform isn’t far away.”

But Victoria Walks executive officer Dr Ben Rossiter said any change to the law could have dire consequences for pedestrians.

“There is a myth that cycling is safer on the footpath, and all the research is saying that it is not,” he said.

“Footpaths are too narrow and not designed for cycling; and it puts aged pedestrians at risk,” Dr Rossiter said.

“It is not just our organisation opposed to this … Crashes between pedestrians and bicycles can be fatal.

“One concern for these cyclists is that if they can all ride on the footpath, governments have an excuse not to spend money on cycling infrastructure,” he said.

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