The Australian Road Rules define a bicycle as a vehicle with one or more wheels that is built to be propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears (whether or not it has an auxiliary motor). A bicycle:
Includes a pedicab, penny-farthing, scooter, tricycle and unicycle.
Does not include a wheelchair, wheeled recreational vehicle, wheeled toy, or any vehicle with an auxillary motor capable of generating a power output over 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating).
Cycling is a good form of door-to-door transport. It is inexpensive, non-polluting and great for health and fitness. In NSW one in every two households owns at least one bicycle.
The New South Wales Government is committed to providing a sustainable, safe and efficient transport system that balances the needs of cyclists, pedestrians, public transport passengers, motorists, motorcyclists and commercial operators.
The RTA aims to:
Make it easier and more convenient for people to get to places where they want to go.
Reduce the rate at which the demand for car travel increases in future, thereby helping to improve air quality.
To help achieve these goals, the Government has developed a 4-point action plan for bicycles in NSW that includes:
Improving the bike network.
Making it safer to cycle.
Improving personal and environmental health.
Raising community awareness.
Cycleways
The NSW bike network stretches throughout metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.
In recognition of the fact that most cycling takes place on local roads, the RTA offers funding to local councils for the provision of approved bicycle facilities.
During 2004/05 more than $5.3 million dollars has been allocated to 50/50 fund local cycleway projects within 66 Council areas. Eighty-nine (89) local bike network projects are being funded at a combined cost of $10.8 million.
Motorised scooters and mini bikes
Motorised foot scooters, miniature motorbikes (also known as mini bikes, pocket bikes or monkey bikes) and other motorised recreational devices do not meet minimum Australian design standards for safety and so cannot be registered. This means they must not be used on roads or in any public areas such as footpaths, car parks and parks.
The Fair Trading Amendment (Monkey Bikes) Regulation 2007 prescribes the minimum safety standard provisions for the supply of off-road monkey bikes in New South Wales. The purpose of such requirements is to prevent or reduce the risk of injury to a person.
For more information use the related link to Motorised scooters and mini bikes (above right), and/or download a copy of the Office of Fair Trading 'Monkey Bikes' Regulation:
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/pdfs/corporate/fairtradingmonkeybikereg2007.pdf
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