Source: VicRoads. As at 29 June 204.
The following information clarifies some of road rules. The information does not cover all cycling related road rules.
The rules outlined are an overview only and you should refer to the Road Safety Road Rules 2009 if you want the most accurate and complete information about the road rules. The relevant rule or section of Road Safety Road Rules 2009 is shown at the end of each statement.
The following statements are rules and requirements:
Bicycles must be equipped with a bell, horn or other warning device (See rule 258)
If riding at night or in hazardous weather conditions, a rider or their bicycle must have a white light visible from the front of their bike and a red light visible from the rear of their bike. Both lights should be clearly visible for at least 200 metres (See rule 259).
Bike riders must not use a light fitted to their bike or themselves which dazzles, or is likely to dazzle, another road user (see rule 219).
Bike riders are not permitted to use a hand held mobile phone while riding (see rule 300).
The following statements are not rules and requirements:
Riders must always use a warning device (e.g. bell or horn) on their bikes to warn other road users that they are approaching a pedestrian or another bike rider.
Bike riders are not permitted to wear headphones or similar equipment when riding
The following statements are rules and requirements:
Bike riders under the age of 12 are permitted to ride on a footpath (see rule 250).
A rider 18 years or older is permitted to ride on a footpath provided they are supervising a child under the age of 12 who is also riding a bicycle (see rule 250).
If a bike rider is riding on a footpath or shared path for bicycles and pedestrians, they must keep to the left and give way to pedestrians (see rule 250).
A driver must not stop on a road in a position that obstructs access by bike riders to a bicycle path or other bicycle right of way (see rule 198).
A pedestrian must not be on a bicycle path, or a part of a separated footpath for the use of bicycles, unless they are crossing the path and don't stay on the path for longer than necessary (see rule 239).
The following statements are not rules and requirements:
All riders, regardless of age are permitted to ride on a footpath or pedestrian crossing provided they give way to pedestrians
Bike riders with a child under the age of 10 seated in a child seat or bicycle trailer attached to their bike are permitted to ride on a footpath.
A rider aged 12 to 17 years is permitted to ride on a footpath if they are riding with a child under the age of 12 who is also riding a bicycle.
A bike rider must use an off road bicycle path if there is one available, unless it is impracticable to do so.
The following statements are rules and requirements:
A bike rider must use the bicycle lane on a road if there is a bicycle lane available, unless it is impracticable to do so (see rule 247).
Drivers of vehicles other than bicycles can drive in a bike lane for up to 50 metres (e.g. to park, turn etc.), provided they indicate and give way to bike riders in lane (see rules 153 & 158).
Car drivers are not permitted to stop in a bike box if there are no bike riders in the box (see rule 60A)
Car drivers must stop at the first stop line of a bike box regardless of whether a bicycle is stopped in a bicycle box (see rule 60A)
In a multi-lane roundabout, cyclists have the option of turning right from the left lane, but they must give way to drivers exiting the roundabout (see rules 111 & 119).
The following statements are not currently rules and requirements:
Drivers of motor vehicles cannot enter a bicycle lane for any reason
When passing a bicycle travelling in the same direction, a driver of a motor vehicle must leave a space of one metre or more between their vehicle and the bike rider.
Motorcycles are permitted to ride in bicycle lanes provided they give way to bike riders already in the lane.
The following statements are rules and requirements:
Bicycles are considered to be vehicles and riders are required to obey all traffic signals, stop signs and give way signs just as motorists do (see Part 2).
Bike riders must stop at an intersection or crossing showing a red traffic signal or a stop sign (see Part 7).
A bike rider at a Give Way sign must give way to any vehicle in, entering or approaching the intersection. The bike rider must also give way to pedestrians at, or near, the intersection (see Part 7).
Bike riders are required to stop at the rear of a stopped tram and must not proceed if the tram doors are open or if there is a pedestrian entering or crossing the road to or from the tram (see rule 163).
When making a right hand turn at any intersection, bike riders have the option of making a hook turn unless there is a 'No hook turn by bicycles' sign (see rules 35 & 36).
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 (see rule 141).
The following statements are not rules and requirements:
Bike riders are not required to come to a complete stop at an intersection or crossing showing a red traffic signal. Instead they can treat the signal like a 'Give Way' sign and proceed through the intersection when it is safe to do so.
Bike riders are not required to stop at zebra crossings or at pedestrian crossings displaying a red light provided they give way to pedestrians and it is safe to proceed.
Bike riders are not required to stop at the rear of a stopped tram, but should slow and proceed past the tram with caution.
A motorist indicating to turn left, must give way to any bike rider travelling in the same direction who is on or approaching the left of their vehicle, before they can turn left.
The following statements are rules and requirements:
When riding with others and not overtaking, bike riders can ride alongside 1 other rider (see rule 151)
When overtaking other bike riders, a bike rider can ride alongside more than 1 other rider (see rule 151)
When riding alongside another bike rider, riders must travel no more than 1.5 metres apart (see rule 151)
In Victoria, in a crash between a motor vehicle and a bike rider fault is only attributed as a result of Police or insurance reports.
Bicycles : VicRoads