A couple ride on Velib self-service public bicycles on the Pont de l'Archeveche bridge, which is covered with thousands of padlocks, or love locks, near the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, August 22, 2014. France kept its title as the world's top tourist d
A couple ride on Velib self-service public bicycles on the Pont de l'Archeveche bridge, which is covered with thousands of padlocks, or love locks, near the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, August 22, 2014. France kept its title as the world's top tourist destination in 2013, drawing nearly 85 million visitors despite a lacklustre economic situation as Chinese interest intensified and North Americans surged back to the country. Reuters/Charles Platiau

Cycling comes with several environmental, health as well as social benefits, but over the years, the rate of people travelling by bike has reduced dramatically. There were no significant changes in the cycling participation across Australia from 2011 through 2015. This, in turn, will adversely affect the National Cycling Strategy goal of doubling cycling between 2010 and 2016.

According to Australian Road Rules, the bicycle is recognised as a vehicle and the bicycle riders as legitimate road users with the same rights and responsibilities as others. However, cyclists often exposed to intimidation and harassment, and left fearing for their life just for riding on roads, said a cycle-helmets.com report.

Fears of sharing the road with motor vehicles as well as inappropriate infrastructure are the two primary factors why people quit using a bike. The data also revealed that cycling accounts for one percent of daily trips in Australia.

While the cyclist deaths have decreased steadily over the past two decades, cyclist hospitalisations rose from 3,676 in 2005 to 5,527 in 2013. Further, the bicycle riders as a proportion of all road hospitalisations rose from 13 percent to 16 percent.

Thirty percent of the road trauma cases to hospital emergency departments are due to cycling injuries in the Sydney metropolitan area. The current situation states that cycling could be made popular only by making it safer.

Eighty-eight percent of cyclists and about 60 percent of the drivers agreed, “drivers do not look for cyclists,” said a Queensland survey report. However, tackling ignorance and confusion about cycling will prove crucial in improving the current situation.

According to the abc.net.au Web site, changes have been made in the road rules in South Australia that will let cyclists of all ages ride on footpaths as well as ensure that cars keep a minimum distance from the riders. The rules will apply from Oct 25, said Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan.

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