1. What data does the Government have about the number of bike riders under:

1. 12 years of age;

2. Between 12 and 15 years of age?

2. What data does the Government have about the number of accidents involving bike riders under:

1. 15 years of age;

2. Under 12 years of age?

3. What proportion of bike riders killed or injured are children?

4. Is it true that 10 to 15 year old bike riders are more at risk than other age groups?

5. What is the rationale for the NSW Road Rule 250 1 providing that children under 12 may ride on footpaths?

6. Is it true that other States and Territories do not use these age restrictions?

7. What assessment has the Government carried out into the developmental capacities of adolescents in order to determine the age from which riders should no longer use footpaths?

8. What liaison has the Government carried out with other States and Territories and the Commonwealth about common National Road Rules allowing for children under 15 to ride on footpaths?

9. What plans does the Government have to increase the age at which bike riders are no longer allowed to ride on footpaths to 15?

(1) The 2012 Sydney Cycling Survey is available on the Bureau of Transport Statistics website.

(2) and (3) Crash and casualty statistics are available on the Centre for Road Safety website.

(4) There is no evidence to suggest that 10-15 year old children are more at risk than other age groups.

(5) to (9) The NSW Road Rules 2014 are based on the national model law of the Australian Road Rules. These rules are developed by representatives of each State and Territory on the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Advisory Group and administered by the National Transport Commission.

I recently asked the Centre for Road Safety to look into the age of riding a bicycle on the footpath.

In reviewing policy proposals, our experts at the Centre for Road Safety will consider stages of cognitive and physical development in children, as well as the safety of bicycle riders and pedestrians.