9 cycling rules you may not know
Cyclists can ride on roads, footpaths and shared-use pathways, so there are many rules they need to know, depending on when and where they’re riding.
Many of these regulations are similar to those followed by motorists and pedestrians, but there are also several rules specific to cyclists.
1. Hook turns
Anyone who’s driven through Melbourne would be aware of the hook turn for motorists turning right at traffic-light controlled intersections. While motorists in South Australia aren’t permitted to perform a hook turn, this manoeuvre is legal for cyclists.
A cyclist planning to turn right at an intersection can move in the left lane to the opposite side of the intersection when the straight-ahead light turns green.
When the light for the road the cyclist wants to enter changes to green, the rider can complete the turn.
Cyclists can also turn right from a right-hand turning lane but may feel safer performing a hook turn.
2. Hand signals
Cyclists must use a hand signal when turning right, merging right or changing lanes to the right. Although left-hand signals aren’t legally required, there’s no harm in making your intentions clear.
A hand signal isn’t needed when making a hook turn, and could confuse other road users because the cyclist will be riding straight ahead.
3. Brakes
The law states that a bike only needs one effective brake, but stopping with two is much more effective, particularly from higher speeds.
Also, if you only have a front brake and need to stop suddenly, it can lead to an uncomfortable trip over the handlebars.
4. Reflector
Not only is a white front light and red taillight required if you’re riding at night or in hazardous weather, you’ll also need a rear red reflector that can be seen from at least 50m away when illuminated by headlights.
Riding a bike at night without a white front light, a red rear light and a rear reflector are three separate offences, and each carries a fine of $68 and $102 Victims of Crime Levy ($20 Victims of Crime Levy if under 18 years old.)
5. Pedestrian crossings
Cyclists can ride their bikes across pedestrian and school crossings, but it’s important to keep left, ride slowly and give way to pedestrians.
If the crossing is particularly busy, it might be safer to walk your bike across.
6. Trailers
Bikes are allowed to tow trailers but there are several applicable rules, which are covered in this section of the Cycling and the Law booklet.
Among the regulations;
- Cyclists must be 16 years or older to carry a person in a trailer.
- A trailer passenger can’t be older than nine.
- A trailer load mustn’t be wider than 85cm.
7. Bicycle carrier on a car
A bike carrier mustn’t obscure a vehicle’s number plate, so you’ll need to attach a number plate to the carrier. If you don’t have a small, authorised bicycle carrier number plate – available from a Service SA centre or online – you can attach the vehicle’s rear number plate to the carrier.
However, you can’t have a full-sized number plate on both the carrier and the rear of the. If the repositioned car number plate is the only one showing on the rear of the vehicle, it must be illuminated by a white light that operates in conjunction with the vehicle’s side and headlights.
8. Bike lanes
If a road has an operating bike lane, cyclists must ride within the lane and can only move outside to safely overtake another cyclist or avoid an obstacle like a pothole.
While riding two abreast is permitted if both cyclists remain within the bike lane, these lanes are often too narrow for cyclists to ride side-by-side. If there isn’t a bike lane, they can ride two abreast as long as they’re no further than 1.5m apart.
9. Bus lanes
While cyclists are allowed to ride in bus lanes as long as they stay as close as possible to the left and don’t obstruct buses, but they can’t ride in Bus Only lanes.
For more information on cycling rules, read the Cycling and the Law booklet.