Rogue cyclists will be slapped with much heftier fines thanks to new rules introduced by the NSW government.
The fine for not wearing a helmet, running a red light, riding dangerously, holding onto a moving vehicle, or not stopping at a pedestrian crossing is currently $71 but from March will jump to between $319 and $425.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay said drivers will also be subject to stricter rules to protect cyclists from being hit by cars.
Drivers travelling up to 60km/h will have to leave a minimum distance of at least one metre when passing cyclists and at least 1.5m when travelling faster.
If caught too close to cyclists, drivers will have to cough up $319.
It will be also compulsory for adult cyclists to carry photo ID so they can be identified in an emergency or if they break road rules.
It's also recommended that cyclists allow a minimum distance of one metre when passing pedestrians on a shared path where practical.
Asked how the new rules would be enforced, Mr Gay said a higher police presence would catch cyclists and drivers.
He acknowledged the new rules wouldn't prevent all conflict between drivers and riders, saying everyone needed to take responsibility for their behaviour.
"All road users need to exercise respect when using the road," he said.
Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said he often sees people riding bikes without a helmet.
"If you're involved in a crash, you are 60 per cent more likely to suffer a severe brain injury if you're not wearing a helmet," he said.
About 11 cyclists were killed every year on NSW roads and more than 1500 were admitted to hospital for cycling crashes, he said.
The NSW Greens said that making roads safer for cyclists was welcome but criticised the punitive focus on cyclists.
"We will all benefit from a bike-friendly NSW, but the state government is going out of its way to make life harder and more dangerous for cyclists," Greens Transport spokeswoman Dr Mehreen Faruqi said.
