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.
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.
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 motored vehicles may pass cyclists.
The Minimum Passing Distance Rule states drivers overtaking a cyclist must leave at least:
Drivers who do not leave these minimum distances when overtaking cyclists can be subject to a $349 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:
The onus for keeping our roads safe doesn’t just fall onto drivers of motored vehicles; cyclists also have a responsibility to follow road rules in place for their and other’s safety.
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, taken from RMS NSW.
Cyclists have a legal entitlement to ride two abreast (side by side), however must not ride more than 1.5 metres apart.
Like motored vehicles, cyclists must also observe and come to a stop at:
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 maneuver. The law does not require cyclists to signal when turning left at an intersection.
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.
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.