Cyclist groups push to ride on footpaths despite report outlining risks to pedestrians

BICYCLE campaigners have mounted a fresh push to put riders of all ages on to suburban footpaths despite a new report revealing the practice could put more people at risk.

BICYCLE campaigners have mounted a fresh push to put riders of all ages on to suburban footpaths despite a new report revealing the practice could put more people at risk.

Victoria is now the only state in Australia to cap the age of cyclists who can use walkways at 12, with new laws in New South Wales lifting the restriction to 16.

The Bicycle Network is using the momentum to ramp up pressure on local politicians and open our paths up to all cyclists ahead of the state election.

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But the push comes as a study commissioned by Victoria Walks, Vision Australia and the Council on the Ageing shows both pedestrians and cyclists are in more danger when sharing the path.

The report, written by transport consultants MRCagney, found that changing the current rules could make walkways more unsafe by exposing more people to the risk of dangerous collisions.

“The research review found between 6 and 17 per cent of all cyclist crashes in Australia and New Zealand occurred on footpaths, even though footpath cycling was not allowed in most areas,” Victoria Walks executive officer Ben Rossiter said.

Bicycle campaigners are ramping up pressure on local politicians to open our paths up to all cyclists ahead of the state election.

“Footpaths are not designed for cycling. Most are narrow, often in poor condition, with overhanging trees and high fences blocking views of vehicles coming out of driveways.

“While we understand the risks cyclists face on busy roads, making our footpaths less safe for everyone is hardly a solution.

“Keeping the pressure up on politicians to create safe, separated spaces for both cyclists and walkers is the best way to increase both cycling and walking participation.”

The report also found footpath cycling was unlikely to cut down on serious crashes between cyclists and high-speed cars.

But Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said Victoria had been left behind by bad policy.

“Raising the footpath riding age to 16 in NSW is a positive step, but they haven’t gone far enough, we don’t think there should be any age restrictions at all,” he said.

“Anyone in any state should be able to ride on the footpath.

“Changing footpath riding laws will be a key part of our Victorian state election campaign and we encourage people who ride bikes to get behind it and contact the Roads Minister to ask for a rule change.”

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