Bicycle law

It removed the right of local councils to treat cyclists among the "nuisances" it could ban and defined them as "carriages".

Cyclists across Australia must follow the same rules as motor vehicle drivers in regards to using mobile phones and consuming alcohol.

In 1895, George B. Clementson, an American attorney, wrote The Road Rights and Liabilities of Wheelmen, the first book on bicycle law, in which he discussed the seminal cases of the 1880s and 1890s, which were financed by Albert Pope of Columbia Bicycles, and through which cyclists gained the right to the road.

[12] However, some state legislations, municipal authorities or law enforcement officials have made specific rules and imposition of penalties on bicyclists due to absence of provisions against them in the Motor Vehicles Act.

For instance, in 2008, the Kolkata traffic police enforced an order to prohibit bicycles on several roads stating they caused traffic congestion, which led to extreme backlash and civil suits against the department, as the order was not approved by the State Government and bicyclists were penalized(or seized) for riding on the prohibited roads.

100(US $1.25) due to non-requirement of licenses, there are instances where bicyclists have been penalized steeply for violation of some rules and orders.

For instance, bicyclists found riding on Bandra–Worli Sea Link, the Trans Harbour Link, Eastern Freeway, the BKC-Chunabhatti flyover, and the Coastal Road have been slapped hefty penalties of Rs 1200(US $15) or more by Mumbai traffic police, which have been noted to be extremely steep and not approved by state legislation.

[16][17] While in some cases where bicyclists who refused to pay the penalties were issued court notices, several riders, especially minors, have been given warnings by law enforcement officials.