THE NSW Government introduced new rules in July allowing all children under 16 years of age to ride a bicycle on the footpath. 

Previously, only children aged 12 and under were permitted to cycle on footpaths. 

A supervising adult is permitted to accompany the child and all bicycle riders must wear a helmet, keep left and give way to pedestrians.

Port Macquarie is notoriously busy around school pick up time, making the new law even more important.

Fathers like Greg Lawrence had reason to be worried as his two sons, Harry and Connor, cycle to and from school and around their streets at Lighthouse Beach. 

"They enjoy riding their bikes on the tracks near our house, around the neighbourhood and to school,” he said. 

“It gets them off the iPads and gets them active. The law change is a very good one.”

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the new cycling measures will help keep young people safe.

“Children are some of our most vulnerable road users and as a government we are always looking at new initiatives to protect our young people and support them to be safe on and near the road,” she said.

In November 2017, a Sydney father began a petition which was signed by almost 15,000 people.

In the five years to 2017, two children under 16 years of age lost their lives while cycling in NSW and 1,770 were seriously injured.