The rules restricting cyclists from riding on footpaths needs to change, according to Wollongong City Council.
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At present the NSW road rules only children under the age of 16 may ride on the footpath, along with a supervising adult.
But the council's draft cycling strategy wants the government to change that rule to promote safe cycling in Wollongong.
A council spokeswoman said research showed bicycle use dropped off once people turned 16 and that forcing riders onto the road "does not support and encourage our community to ride".
"These proposed changes would instantly open up a network of footpaths across Wollongong that cautious cyclists could access to navigate Wollongong during their daily routines and we look forward to hearing feedback from our community about this recommendation," the spokeswoman said.
"It is also important to keep in mind that if NSW Road Rules were to change, the existing shared path rules would still apply and cyclists would still be required to give way to pedestrians."
Owner of Giant Wollongong cycling store David Hansen supported the idea, seeing it as a safer option than riding on the road.
"Cars and bikes just don't get along," Mr Hansen said. "If a bike gets hit by a car it's devastating."
Mr Hansen said allowing cycle use on footpaths would address the issue of east-west connectivity in the city but felt riders would have to practise caution.
"It's good that [council] have come to this point," he said, "and education of cyclists who are going to be riding on footpaths will be important though, because so many walkers will object to having to share the footpath with a cyclist."
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