It’s almost summer, and with the warmer weather bringing more riders onto Australia’s roads and paths, Margot McGovern has a timely refresher on the road rules all cyclists—from roadies to commuters—should know.
By law, bike riders are legitimate road users and, as such, have the same rights and responsibilities as all other road users. However, there are some rules that apply specifically to bike riders. Below are the key laws in effect nation-wide. There are also specific rules that apply in each state. For example, in most states it is only legal for riders under 12 and those accompanying them to ride on the footpath; however, in the ACT, Queensland and the Northern Territory it’s legal for all riders, provided they give way to pedestrians. Therefore, it’s advisable to read up on the rules that apply in your state.
Before you get rolling
When riding a bike in Australia you must wear a helmet approved by Australian Standards that is securely fitted and fastened on your head (unless you have been granted an exception for medical or religious reasons). Your bike must also be fitted with a few standard safety features: at least one working brake and a bell or
similar warning device.
When riding in low-light conditions or at night, your bike must have a rear reflector visible from at least 50 metres when lit by car headlights, a white front light and a red rear light. Lights can be either steady or flashing, but must be visible from at least 200 metres. You’re also required to be seated astride the saddle and facing forwards and must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. You may only carry as many passengers as the bike is designed for, and if you are towing a passenger in a trailer, you must be 16 or older and the passenger must be under 10 and wear a helmet.
The dos
There are a few special exemptions that apply just to bike riders that many road users may not be aware of. For example, it is legal for riders to ride two abreast, provided they are no more than 1.5 metres apart. In addition to riding in designated traffic lanes, riders may also ride on the shoulder of the road, provided they signal and give way when crossing back over the white line into traffic.
Riders may also overtake on the left, providing the vehicle they are overtaking is not signalling left, in which case the rider needs to give way. You must ride within the bike lane when there is one provided, unless it is impractical to do so, such as if the lane is obstructed by debris or parked cars. If the bike lane is only wide enough to accommodate one rider, you must ride single file.
As a bike rider, you are permitted to perform hook turns. You can also turn right from the left lane of a multi-lane roundabout, provided you signal and give way to vehicles exiting the roundabout ahead of you.
The don’ts
The most important thing not to do on your bike is cause a hazard by riding into the path of another vehicle or pedestrian. There are also fairly strict rules about how you interact with other vehicles. For example, you must not follow within two metres of a motor vehicle for more than 200 metres, nor can you hang on to another moving vehicle while on your bike or have your bike towed by another vehicle while you’re riding it. When riding, you also need to steer clear of freeways, bus-only lanes and any other areas signed as bicycles prohibited. It is also illegal in all states except Queensland for bike riders to use pedestrian crossings, unless the crossing is equipped with bike signals.
It goes without saying that you must also obey wider traffic laws, such as obeying signals and signs, keeping left and riding in the general direction of the traffic. For more specific rules that apply to your state, visit the websites below.
More info
Australia wide bit.ly/14mO5Lx
ACT bit.ly/13RDVXG
NSW bit.ly/NCb4eX
QLD bit.ly/13tSX23
TAS bit.ly/1arXTej
VIC bit.ly/13Jo1jd
Ride On content is editorially independent, but is supported financially by members of Bicycle Network. If you enjoy our articles and want to support the future publication of high-quality content, please consider helping out by becoming a member.
In your December-January 2010/11 issue it was suggested that it is OK to overtake on left subject to a couple of conditions…reference posted below;
https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/bikes-and-riding/92659/
Reblogged this on BikeNCA.
NSW rules suggest bikes can ride in bus lanes.http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/riding_safely/nsw_road_rules.html
Hmm – I use pedestrian crossings all the time – didn’t know it was illegal. It’s often the safest way to cross a junction or turn right. I am careful not to get in the way of pedestrians; in fact often thre are no pedestrians crossing at the same time as me.
Does anybody know whether it’s legal (in Victoria) to cross at a pedestrian crossing if you get off the bike? Thanks
If you get off the bike it’s legal. This is the recommended practice.
Ditto; as long as bike riders consider pedestrians welfare in the same manner as with shared bike paths, using pedestrian crossings seems perfectly reasonable.
In the print article (Oct-Nov) it says riding on the footpath is illegal in most states but then says “…ACT, Queensland and the Northern Territory it’s legal for for all riders, provided they give way to pedestrians.”
This is also the case in Tasmania, per the links given:
“ROAD RULES 2009 – REG 250
250. Riding on a footpath or shared path
(1) The rider of a bicycle who is 12 years old or older must not ride on a footpath if another law of this jurisdiction prohibits the rider from riding on the footpath.”
This is usually wherever signs are posted banning wheeled recreational vehicles, generally malls and other high-traffic areas where accidents would be likely.
I am surprised that this article once again has a serious omission. It is legal for cyclists to ride two a breast but “not where there are double lines”
It seems that most people I ride with, even highly experienced either ignore this or are unaware of it. This dangerous practice is encouraged by many photos in magazines and online which show riders two abreast beside double lines.
The rule for passing on the left specifies “The rider of a bicycle must not ride past, or overtake, to the left of a vehicle that is *turning left and* is giving a left change of direction signal”
You can ride down the left hand side of a whole line of cars indicating left, so long as they aren’t actually turning yet.
Further, where the cyclist is riding in a marked and signposted bike lane, and that lane continues through the intersection, the vehicle must merge into the lane prior to making the turn, and must give way to traffic already in the lane.
The link to the Vic site you gave in this e.mail article, does not work.
I ride on the footpath whenever I have to negotiate a main road with speed over 60 K. It might be illegal, but is saver, even if it is much slower of course. I am not going to be a statistic.
Imagine a three axle monster roaring past you at 80 K. The force of the air is enough to knock you if it does not drag you under the rear wheels. The footpath is much saver.