Road deaths down in NSW, cyclists at risk LAST year saw the lowest number of people die on NSW's roads for almost 90 years, the government says. But, while the number of pedestrian deaths is the lowest since records began in 1928, cyclist fatalities have doubled since 2012. NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay on Wednesday said the 2013 NSW road toll was the lowest since 1924 with provisional figures indicating 339 people were killed, down from 369 in 2012. "While fewer fatalities is encouraging, that still means 339 people do not get to spend the new year with friends and family, and their loss will be felt by everyone they knew as we start 2014," he said in a statement. Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendergast said the toll was not only the best since 1924, but also down by more than a third from a decade ago, when the road toll was 539. The main reasons for the improvements were reductions in passenger and pedestrian deaths, she said. In 2013, 49 passengers died, down 40 per cent on the previous year, while 42 pedestrians were killed, down 24 per cent on 2012. "This is the lowest number of pedestrian fatalities since those records began in 1928," Ms Prendergast said. Country NSW has also seen fewer deaths on their roads, down 13 per cent from 2012. But there were more motorcycle and cyclist deaths in 2013 than 2012. While 61 motorcycle riders lost their lives in 2012, 71 died in 2013. For cyclists, fatalities have doubled since 2012, with 14 people dying in 2013. "We're developing a new Cycling Safety Strategy and are determined to bring down the number of cycling deaths," she said. Mr Gay urged all road users not to become complacent. "Fatigue and speeding are major issues during the holidays with motorists rushing to their destination, going too fast, pushing on when they are tired or setting out without having a good night's sleep," he said.