Driving with bike riders

Watch for bicycle riders

You must check for bicycles while driving and keep a safe distance from bicycle riders.  

Remember to be patient, slow down and give more space when it’s reasonable to do so. 

Keep a safe distance

According to the law, when drivers pass a bicycle rider, the distance between the vehicle and the bike must be at least:

• 1 metre on roads with speed limits up to 60km/h
• 1.5 metres if you’re travelling over 60km/h.

The minimum distance is measured from the widest part of the vehicle to the widest part of the bike, including anything that’s attached or towed.

This rule applies to all motor vehicles passing a bicycle rider, including riders who are:

• riding in bicycle lanes marked with painted white lines, temporary separation (pop-up bike lanes) or permanent separation kerbing
• riding two abreast or side by side on the road (which they are legally allowed to do).

Leaving space for bicycle riders helps them feel safer and at ease. It also gives them enough room to swerve if they come across a hazard.

For large or heavy vehicles

Larger vehicles can create wind turbulence, which can make bicycle riders lose their balance.  

If you’re driving a large vehicle or are towing a trailer, boat or caravan, allow more space than the required 1 metre or 1.5 metres clearance to help keep bicycle riders safe.

When passing or overtaking

Before overtaking a bicycle:

• look ahead for oncoming traffic
• watch for motorcyclists and bike riders approaching on the other side of the road
• wait until it’s safe and make sure there’s a clear view ahead.

If it’s not safe, you’ll need to slow down and wait until there’s a suitable place to pass.

To pass or overtake a bike:

• Keep a safe distance between the bike and your vehicle.
• You may cross over solid single lines, double lines or centre lines when overtaking a bike only if the way ahead is clear and it is safe to do so.
• You may cross single yellow lines into tram lanes, but only if it is safe to do so and you must not get in the way of any approaching trams. 
• Don’t enter tram ways, cross double yellow lines or drive on any raised separation kerbs.

Make sure you’re clear of the bike rider before moving back. You must be able to see them in your rear view mirror.

Driving in bicycle lanes

You must not drive in bicycle lanes, unless it’s necessary to:

• enter or leave a road
• pass a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn
• enter another traffic lane
• enter a parking space
• pull over or park (if it’s allowed).

You can only drive in bicycle lanes for a maximum of 50 metres. You must give way to any bicycle rider in a bike lane before moving into or across it.

Turning or changing lanes

If you’re pulling out, turning, merging or changing lanes, indicate so that bike riders know where you’re going.

You must give way to bicycle riders in traffic lanes or bike lanes if you’re crossing or turning across the lane (including slip lanes).

You must give way to anyone travelling in a lane you’re moving into, including bicycle riders.  

Doing a head check and side mirror check helps you see into your blind spot before you change lane or turn.

At intersections and roundabouts

Be particularly careful when turning left. Bicycle riders may be in your blind spot to your left. Watch for them before turning right, they may be masked by oncoming traffic. Some intersections have a bicycle box, which is an area that’s reserved for bicycle riders to stop in. You must stop before the first white line of a bicycle box if the traffic lights are red, and give bicycle riders a head start when the lights turn green.

Bicycle riders are allowed to do a hook turn to turn right at any intersection, unless there are signs restricting this.

Bicycle riders are allowed to stay in the left lane when travelling around a roundabout.

Look before opening car doors

One of the biggest risks to bicycle riders is car doors being opened into their path. This can cause the bicycle rider to swerve out further into the road or collide with the car door, often with serious consequences.

It’s an offence to cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a car door, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or while getting out of a vehicle.

Both drivers and passengers should watch out for bicycles when entering or exiting a parked vehicle. Remember that bicycle riders can travel quickly and may be much closer than you think.

• Always use your mirrors and do a head check before opening your car door.  
• You could try opening the car door with your left hand to get into the habit of looking out for bicycles.
• When getting into your vehicle, look towards the flow of traffic so you can see bicycle riders (and other road users) travelling towards you. Don’t open the car door until they pass and it’s safe to do so.
• Bicycle riders can ride between parked cars and the lane of traffic. As a passenger, don’t get out of a stationary car while in a queue of traffic.

Rules for sharing the road with bicycle riders

The following rules are published in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017.

• Rule 60A - Proceeding through a bicycle storage area (bicycle box) before a red traffic light or arrow
• Rule 114A - Keeping a safe distance when passing a bicycle or electric scooter
• Rule 153 - Driving in bicycle lanes

You may be fined if you ignore the law

Drivers can be penalised if they break these rules or become a hazard to bicycle riders.