Cyclists can ride on WA footpaths

Despite being illegal until now, the sight of cyclists on footpaths is more common in Perth than in some bike-friendly capital cities elsewhere in Australia and around the world.

The West Australian government has changed that law and now cyclists of any age can ride along footpaths.

Cyclists do it because they do not feel safe on Perth roads and it is those people and parents that the law is targeted at.

It brings WA into line with the rest of Australia, Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said.

Previously only children under 12 were allowed to ride on footpaths.

"From today, it is legal for parents to ride side by side with their child along a footpath," Ms Harvey said.

Two cyclists were hit and killed by cars around Perth in a day late last month, and there have been calls to force motorists to maintain a one-metre distance from cyclists.

The government says it is increasing the amount of bike paths, with Transport Minister Dean Nalder announcing on Tuesday that Perth's Shakespeare St would be the city's first bike boulevard that gives priority to cyclists.