Road Rules

Safe Riding – Share the Road

Bicycles are classified as a vehicle and riders must obey the same Road Rules as drivers of motor vehicles.  If charged with an offence, you may incur demerit points even if you do not hold a Driver's Licence for a motor vehicle. When riding on a road, you must keep as reasonably practical to the left-hand side except:

• when making a right turn
• when overtaking.

Riding abreast

When riding in a group you are only allowed two abreast, with a maximum of 1½ metres between each bicycle. On busy roads ride single file to avoid obstructing other road users.

Giving turn and stop signals

Bicycle riders MUST give a right turn hand signal when about to turn right, change lanes or to execute a U-turn. Left turn and Stop signals are not covered in law, but are advisable for added safety, so as to indicate to other road users what manoeuvre you intend to make. 

Towing and crossing roads

A bicycle rider is not allowed to be towed.  Towing a skateboarder or person on skates by a bike rider is also illegal.  When crossing the road at a marked pedestrian crossing, you MUST get off and walk the bicycle across.

Bicycle Lanes

Bicycle Lanes are indicated by signs or road markings and operate 24 hours a day unless otherwise stated on the signs.  If there is a bicycle lane marked on the road in the same direction as you are travelling, then you must ride in that lane unless:

• it is impractical to do so because of roadworks or other hazards
• you are passing a slower rider in the bicycle lane.

Carrying Passengers or Other Goods

You are not allowed to carry a passenger sitting on the handlebars or cross bar in front of the rider. They are not allowed to sit on the seat, while the rider stands on the pedals all the time. They are not allowed to stand on trick pegs either in front or behind the rider.

Other goods should not be carried by hanging onto them in one hand, or hanging off the handlebars. Put them in a backpack on your back or a proper parcel carrier attached to the bike. This will allow safer handling and balance of the bike.

Riding on the Footpath

Children up to 12 years of age can ride on the footpath.

Some rules when riding on a footpath: -

• you are able to ride when the path is marked with signage that it is a designated bicycle track, or a shared path
• you are able to ride when crossing to enter or leave the road
• do not ride on any footpath showing a "NO BICYCLE" sign
• you must give way to pedestrians
• Sound a warning before you are about to overtake a pedestrian or slow rider, and pass them on the right hand side
• Keep to the left unless overtaking
• Look out for cars and pedestrians entering or leaving private property.

Wearing a Helmet

An approved bicycle helmet must be worn (one showing an Australia/New Zealand Standards sticker AS/NZ 2063) whilst riding a bicycle on a road or in a public place.  It must be worn in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

Some simple rules to follow: -

• do not wear any type of hat (especially a baseball cap) underneath the helmet. Fit a visor to the helmet instead
• the front of the helmet should be just above the eyebrows, so that the forehead is covered
• the chin strap has to be done up tight enough so that it keeps the helmet in place (only two fingers should be able to fit between your chin and the chin strap)