Can I perform this sneaky bike lane manouvre?
You’re driving to work and travelling along a single-lane road. Suddenly, you reach a section which is banked up with cars at traffic lights.
You want to turn left at a slip lane and see a small space ahead along the bike lane which you could use to squeeze by the banked-up traffic.
You hesitate. ‘Am I allowed to drive down a bike lane?’
Well, yes and no. While it might seem like a quick and harmless manoeuvre, there are instances where it could see you receive a fine.
RAA Mobility Safety and Road Rules Consultant Bob Kranz says bicycle lanes are exclusively for cyclists.
“If you’re caught driving or stopping in a bicycle lane, you could receive a $296 fine, plus a $94 Victims of Crime levy,” Mr Kranz says.
“Some bicycle lanes will have times stated on signs and if there aren’t any, it applies at all times.”
This means drivers aren’t allowed to stop or park in the bicycle lane unless avoiding an obstruction or in an emergency.
Stopping in a bicycle lane is a no-no unless you’re a bus or taxi driver picking up or dropping off passengers.
Motorist can also use the bike lane if they’re entering or leaving a road, overtaking a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of a road.
Motorcyclists and scooters aren’t considered cyclists, so the same rules apply to them as other motorists.
Importantly, in all cases where you do need to drive in a bicycle lane, you can only do so for a maximum of 50m, providing you indicate, and you must also give way to cyclists” Mr Kranz says.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says it might be better to just wait for the lights to go green.
“You could damage your car, or the vehicles you pass in your attempt to squeeze through,” Mr Mountain says.
“Sometimes it can be hard to judge how much space is between the kerb and cars, and you could end up scratching and damaging your tyres, scraping the car you pass or knocking off a side mirror.
“When in doubt, it’s safest to wait. Sometimes it’s just not worth the risk to save a few minutes of driving time.”
Do you want to ask a road rule question?
RAA’s road rules experts can help.
Or call 8202 4570