The revenue from cyclists fined for not wearing a helmet has jumped more than 900 per cent since the government increased the penalty three years ago.
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In 2016, the state government increased the fine for cyclists not wearing a helmet which now sits at $344.
By comparison a motorist driving 20km/h over the speed limit will be fined $280.
Data from the Office of State Revenue shows that, in the last financial year before the increase - 2014-15 - fines for not wearing a helmet totalled just $197,000
In 2019-19, cyclists were forced to cough up more than $2 million in fines - that's a jump of 940 per cent in just three years.
On top of this, the number of cyclists fined more than doubled over the same period from 2863 to 6102 - suggesting cyclists were being targeted since the fine hike.
Julia Quilter, a University of Wollongong Associate Professor in the law faculty, has carried out a study of the "over the top" fine.
Prof Quilter felt there was no need for this to be treated as a criminal offence, nor was the $344 fine justified.
"If it is going to be criminal offence then we should have a very nominal fine that attaches to it," Prof Quilter said.
"That's what it was until 2016 - it was just over $70. Then on the back of this policy about cyclists' safety it was hiked to $320 and because of indexation it's now $344."
She suggested the Northern Territory approach as an alternative, where cyclists were not required to wear helmets while riding on a footpath or shared pathway.
Her research also found that some police were using the helmet law to stop some cyclists and then search their bags, or charge them with other offences, such as not having a working bell or appropriate lights.
These offences also come with a fine.
Having such a large fine for not wearing a helmet could also disadvantage those in a lower socio-economic group.
Prof Quilter pointed to a Melbourne University study of income and savings that is done every few years.
"It shows that an extraordinary number of households in Australia don't even have $500 savings in their bank accounts, so for them to be hit with a $344 fine, clearly they're going to have to think 'do I pay the fine, probably not, so I can put food on the table'," Prof Quilter said.
"Then, if they don't pay the fine then they have this whole series of enforcements that kick in which cost money."
Transport for NSW said the fine for not wearing a helmet was increased so as to deter unsafe behaviour and bring penalties for those high risks in line with motorists.
The fine for a bicycle rider not wearing a bicycle helmet is now the same for a motorcycle rider not wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
