NSW Police Force operation lacks transparency and discourages bike riders

The results from NSW Police Force’s Operation Pedro in central Sydney this week fail to show that safe passing distance laws were enforced, despite this being a key reason for the operation.
 
According to a post on the force’s Facebook page, a total of 300 infringement notices were handed out to __bike riders, motorists and pedestrians. The fines for __bike riders alone will swell the Baird government’s coffers by more than $26,000.
 
While cycling fines handed out were listed, including disobeying traffic lights, riding on footpath and not wearing helmet, the report only says that “police also issued 159 traffic infringement notices to motorists” but doesn’t disclose any action taken on minimum passing distance.
 
Bicycle Network CEO, Craig Richards, said that minimum passing distance laws were a key piece of legislation that made up the NSW Government’s cycling safety package but it seems that this has been quickly forgotten.
 
“It’s hardly a cyclist safety package when only bike riders are being fined and minimum passing distance laws not enforced,” said Mr Richards.
 
“When the ‘Go Together’ campaign was launched it was marketed as a safety package for bike riders, but we were worried it was a thinly veilled plot to oppress riders with harsh fine increases and mandatory ID.”

“I also question how fining people for riding on footpaths reduces fatalities. Unless police can show that riders or pedestrians are dying from bikes being on the footpaths the justification for this is completely flawed.”
 
Instead of encouraging bike riding and promoting physical activity, it also seems that the Go Together campaign and Operation Pedro are scaring riders off bike paths and roads, with people saying they are no longer riding due to fear of being fined.

Mr Richards added that it is clear that throwing the book at riders is not having a beneficial behaviour change effect.
 
“Fining riders is just stopping people from jumping on their bikes and getting active. Authorities should be educating and enabling riders instead.”
 
Have you been affected by the NSW Government’s restrictive measures? Get in touch and let us know.