Bicycle riders will be encouraged to use emergency contact cards as a form of identification, following consultation with the State’s cycling groups.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said instead of making identification compulsory from March, bicycle riders will be encouraged to carry identification or new cards with emergency contact details. 

Emergency contact cards will aid prompt notification to family members in the event of a crash, and assist emergency medical staff for the best treatment possible. 

The NSW Government said contact cards would be made available through Cycling NSW and Bicycle NSW.
Also, Mr Gays said the alternative identification solution struck the “right balance between safety and convenience, and builds on the first six months of cycling reforms”.

“At a time when the road toll is increasing across the country, this year’s preliminary statistics show bicycle rider injuries and fatalities are stable or reducing in NSW,” he added. 

Cycling NSW CEO Phil Ayres said he was “delighted” that the Government consulted and has accepted the Cycling Australia membership card as a form of identification.

Also, Bicycle NSW CEO Craig Meagher said that he is “proud of the strong, working relationship Bicycle NSW developed with the NSW Government in order to discuss bicycle rider identification, and Bicycle NSW will continue to encourage riders to carry some form of ID”.