Sharing the road with cyclists

Whether rolling on two, four or six wheels, or powered by legs or engines, our roads are used by a variety of different vehicles. All need to work together to ensure traffic flows smoothly and safely.

Read on to see the NRMA’s tips for how to share the road with cyclists and ensure all road users arrives at their destination safely.

How drivers can share the road with cyclists

Drivers need to be patient

Extra vigilance should be exercised when driving near cyclists, as they are harder to see (especially at night) and may have to react to additional hazards such as large road imperfections.

Pushbikes tend to travel slower than posted speed limits, however may move faster than the flow of slow-moving traffic. Don’t assume a cyclist is travelling at the same speed as other vehicles around them and always drive to the conditions.

While all motorists should be checking their mirrors and blind spots regularly anyway, extra care should be taken when a cyclist is nearby. Pushbikes have longer stopping distances than cars, so be careful when turning left across a cycle lane to avoid unintentionally cutting off a cyclist.

Always check your surroundings and don’t open a car door into the path of a cyclist; you are legally at fault if an accident ensues as cyclists are not required to keep space between themselves and parked cars.

Remember, even a minor collision between a cyclist and car is much more likely to result in serious injury compared to a minor collision between two cars. 

Take care and leave space when overtaking

Cyclists have legal entitlements to ride in the centre of a lane and two abreast (side by side). This is not cause for frustration or tailgating.

After being trialled for two years, the NSW Government passed the Minimum Passing Distance Rule in 2018, which affects when and how drivers of motorised vehicles may pass cyclists.

The Minimum Passing Distance Rule states drivers overtaking a cyclist must leave at least:

• One metre of space when the speed limit is 60km/h or less, or;
• 1.5 metres of space when the speed limit is more than 60km/h.

Drivers who do not leave these minimum distances when overtaking cyclists can be subject to a $410 fine and two demerit points.

To ensure the rule is adhered to, drivers are exempt from the following laws while overtaking a cyclist as long as they have a clear view of approaching traffic and leave a one-metre gap:

• Keep to the left of the centre of the road (two-way road with no dividing line);
• Keep to the left of the centre of a dividing line - broken and unbroken lines;
• Keep off a flat dividing strip;
• Keep off a flat painted island;
• Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic, and;
• Moving from one marked lane to another across a continuous line separating the lanes.

How cyclists can share the road with cars

The onus for keeping our roads safe doesn’t just fall onto drivers of motorised vehicles; cyclists also have a responsibility to follow road rules in place for their and others' safety.

Use dedicated bike lanes and stop where appropriate

In NSW, riders must use bicycle lanes wherever one is available. On roads without a dedicated bike lane, cyclists are encouraged to ride to the left of a lane, however this is not legally enforced.

A bicycle lane sign. Image credit: Transport for NSW

Cyclists have a legal entitlement to ride two abreast (side by side), however must not ride more than 1.5 metres apart.

Like motorised vehicles, cyclists must also observe and come to a stop at:

• Children/pedestrian crossings;
• Red lights;
• Stop signs;
• Give way signs if there is traffic travelling on the crossroad;
• The entrance of a roadway, especially from driveways (not a legal requirement but advised), and;
• Railway crossings when there is a stop sign, the crossing lights are flashing or the boom gate is down, a railway employee signals traffic to stop, or a train is coming.

Signal your intent and be courteous towards drivers

NSW law requires cyclists to indicate intent to turn across the flow of traffic or merge to the right lane with a hand signal. This signal must be made ‘about’ 30 metres prior to the manoeuvre. While cyclists are not legally required to signal when turning left at an intersection or when making a hook turn, it is strongly recommended for safety and courtesy.

Right turns can be made from the left lane of a multi-lane roundabout when on a bike, however riders must give way to any vehicle leaving the roundabout.

If riding at night, cyclists must display a flashing or steady white light from the front of their bike and a flashing or steady red light from the rear. Law also requires a red reflector be fitted and visible at the rear of the bike.

Are cyclists allowed on motorways and footpaths?

Cycling regulations regarding motorways and footpaths vary across Australian states and territories:

• NSW: Cyclists are prohibited from riding on motorways and in motorway tunnels. Regarding footpaths, only children under 16 years of age and adults supervising them are permitted to ride on footpaths.
• Victoria (VIC): Cyclists are not allowed on freeways. Children 12 and under can ride on footpaths, and older riders may accompany them, including adults with a child in a bike seat. All cyclists on footpaths must give way to pedestrians. Read more at VIC roads.
• Queensland (QLD): Cyclists may ride on footpaths unless signed otherwise and must keep left, giving way to pedestrians and oncoming riders. Cyclists are generally not permitted on freeways except for Veloway 1, a designated bikeway along the Pacific Motorway. Read more on QLD Government: Bicycle road rules and safety.
• Western Australia (WA): Cyclists of all ages are permitted to ride on footpaths unless signage indicates otherwise. However, they are prohibited from riding on freeways and in pedestrian malls. Read more at WA.gov.au: Cyclists
• Tasmania (TAS): Cyclists of any age are allowed to ride on footpaths unless a sign prohibits it. They are not permitted on motorways. 
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Cyclists can ride on footpaths unless a sign states otherwise. Cyclists are generally not permitted to ride on freeways or motorways in the ACT. While some freeways may have shoulders that can be used as bike lanes, Transport Canberra states that it's not the case on all freeways, and riders are generally not permitted on urban freeways or any roadways signed as not allowed. Read more at ACT Government: How to share roads and paths.
• Northern Territory (NT): Cyclists are generally permitted to ride on footpaths unless signage prohibits it. They are not allowed on motorways. Read more at NT.GOV.AU: Bicycle safety

The above is a brief summary of rules for cyclists riding on footpaths and motorways. It's important for cyclists to be aware of and adhere to local regulations regarding where they can legally ride, as these rules are subject to change and may vary between jurisdictions.

Both motorists and cyclists should stay calm

Under NSW law, a bicycle is considered a vehicle and is subject to many of the same expectations.

Cyclists can be charged for riding ‘furiously, recklessly or negligently’ just like motorists can. The road is made safer for everyone when a courteous and calm approach is taken.