Sharing the road with bicycle and personal mobility device riders
Bicycles and personal mobility devices are a type of vehicle. Bicycle riders and motorists have the same rights and responsibilities when using the road.
Personal mobility device riders also have some road access and have some of the same rights and responsibilities as bicycle riders.
Personal mobility device riders must obey the same general road rules as motorists as well as the personal mobility device road rules.
Bicycle riders must obey the same general road rules as motorists as well as the bicycle road rules.
Bicycle riders and personal mobility device riders who break the law are subject to the same fines as motorists, however demerit points don't apply.
Laws for motorists passing bicycle and personal mobility device riders
Motorists must stay wider of bicycle and personal mobility device riders by giving a minimum of:
- 1m when passing a bicycle or personal mobility device rider in a 60km/h or less speed zone
or - 1.5m where the speed limit is over 60km/h.
Passing a bicycle or personal mobility device rider means that you (as a motorist) and the bicycle or personal mobility device rider are travelling in the same direction. This includes when you are travelling side-by-side in separate lanes on a multi-lane road. It does not apply if you are travelling in opposite directions.
The passing distance is measured from:
- the rightmost part of the bicycle or personal mobility device, any trailer towed by the bicycle or personal mobility device, or the rider or any passenger in or on the trailer
to - the leftmost part of the motor vehicle, or something sticking out from the vehicle (e.g. a side mirror).
The minimum passing distance applies even if the bicycle or personal mobility device rider is riding around an obstacle.
These road rules apply to all motor vehicles—including cars, motorcycles, heavy vehicles and public transport vehicles.
Crossing lines to pass a bicycle or personal mobility device rider
To pass a bicycle or personal mobility device rider—as long as it is safe to do so—you are allowed to:
- drive over centre lines (including double unbroken centre lines) on a 2-way road
- straddle or cross a lane line (including a continuous lane line) on a multi-lane road
- drive on a painted island.
If it is not safe to pass a bicycle or personal mobility device rider, you must wait until it is safe to pass.
Indicating when passing
Drivers must indicate when passing bicycle or personal mobility device riders if they need to change their position on the road.
- Indicate 'right' long enough to warn other road users that you are about to veer right to pass a bicycle or personal mobility device rider.
- Then indicate 'left' when you have passed the bicycle or personal mobility device rider and are returning to your original position on the road.
You must indicate if you need to change your position on the road, even if you do not need to cross the centre or lane lines.
Passing 2 bicycle or personal mobility device riders riding side-by-side
If you want to pass 2 bicycle riders or personal mobility devices that are riding next to each other, the minimum passing distance applies to the bicycle or personal mobility device rider closest to the right. It is legal for 2 bicycle riders to ride side-by-side on a road, as long as they are not more than 1.5m apart.
Check your blind spots
Bicycle or personal mobility device riders are much smaller than cars and heavy vehicles, so they are harder to see. Check your blind spots before changing lanes, turning or when you open your car door.
Giving way
Make sure you treat bicycle or personal mobility device riders like any other vehicles on the road. Give way to them when required and travel at a safe following distance.
Penalties
As a motorist, you will get 3 demerit points and a $431 fine if you do not give the minimum distance when you pass a bicycle or personal mobility device rider. If the matter goes to court, a maximum fine of more than $5,700 may apply.
Be patient and considerate
Watch out for bicycle or personal mobility device riders at all times, but especially at night, dawn or dusk. Be considerate and dip your headlights when approaching a bicycle or personal mobility device rider at night.
Be patient. If it isn't safe to pass a bicycle or personal mobility device rider, wait until it is safe. This should not hold you up for long and it could save the bicycle or personal mobility device rider's life.
Turning left behind a bicycle or personal mobility device rider
If a bicycle or personal mobility device rider is ahead of you and you want to turn left, turn behind the bicycle or personal mobility device rider. Overtaking and cutting off the bicycle or personal mobility device rider is very dangerous.
Wet weather
Wet weather can cause the road to become oily or slippery and reduce visibility, so be extra careful around bicycle or personal mobility device riders at these times.