Road Rules
Everybody in Queensland knows the road rules- particularly
as they relate to cyclists- just ask some of them; they’ll certainly let you
know what cyclists can and can’t do (some will be correct but the majority will
not even be in the same post code). I’m not going to cover every single road
rule and exception, just the most contentious and often talked about ones.
So where do we start- how about with the littlies? Learning
to ride a bike as a kid is a pretty memorable occasion- it gives kids a sense
of freedom. Many kids learn to ride on the footpath which is completely legal.
The thing here is that Queensland differs from some of the other states in that
there is no age restriction for riding on the footpath. So unless there’s a
sign indicating that cycling is not allowed on a section of footpath, it’s
completely legal for one and all. Oh and cyclists must give way to pedestrians
on footpaths, shared paths and pedestrian crossings.
As of 1 January 2015, cyclists are permitted to ride across
marked pedestrian crossings where previously they were required to dismount and
walk their bike across.
And cyclists should sound their bell, or at least call out
to pedestrians or slower riders when overtaking if they’re going to ride on the
footpath.
Helmets- they are required to be worn regardless of the
cyclist’s age. There are some exceptions to the wearing of a helmet on the
grounds of religious headgear. But much
like drivers and seatbelts, some choose to ride without one. I wear one every time
I ride- every time.
Where and how can cyclists ride?
So- on a road that is not multi-lane, cyclists should keep
as far left as practicable. In the eyes of motorists that often means as far to
the left of the fog line as possible, but there are often hazards at the road
edge. Broken bitumen, glass, rubbish, drains, roadkill, branches, wet leaves,
parked cars which may present an open door as the operator exits- these are
just some of the things which present as hazards and may not be noticeable to
vehicle operators.
On multi-lane roads, the cyclists are permitted to take any
part of the lane.
There is a common misunderstanding that cyclists must
ride in single file. Cyclists are permitted to ride two abreast- no more than
1.5 metres apart. There is an exception where a group of cyclists riding two
abreast is permitted to overtake another group riding two abreast. The riders
will in fact be four abreast but the faster group must be overtaking and not
riding as part of the group being overtaken.
A group of 20 cyclists riding two abreast presents a much
shorter overtaking distance than 20 cyclists in a single file.
Cyclists are to ride in the same direction as traffic- that
means no ‘salmoning’ (i.e. swimming upstream against the flow).
It is not mandatory for cyclists to ride in a bike lane
where one is present, as per the Department of Transport rules, the choice is
there for the cyclist to make. In many instances, the presence of parked cars
puts the cycle lane in the ‘door-zone’ exposing cyclists to serious injury as
drivers exit their vehicles.
Red lights- yes, cyclists are supposed to stop at red lights
and stop signs just like motorists. But as we all know, there are always going
to be people who run red lights and blow through stop signs.
This inevitably leads to calls for bikes to be registered.
It isn’t going to happen any time soon. Even if I want to register my bike, I
can’t. It will cost more to administer the program than it will provide in
revenue. Cost is based on wear and tear on the road so really a bike rego would
be about $0.70. I would gladly pay a rego if it meant I would get full use of
the road and complete respect from fellow road users. And just because a
vehicle is registered doesn’t stop red light runners- I see several dozen a
week.
Safe overtaking rules- Queensland is currently trialling
safe overtaking distances as a response to the inquiry into cycling safety.
Where the speed limit is 60 km/hr or less, drivers must maintain
a safe overtaking distance of no less than 1 (one) metre. Where the speed limit
is more than 60 km/hr, drivers must maintain a safe overtaking distance of not
less than 1.5 metres. The distance is measured from the rightmost point of the
cyclist (this could be the right handlebar or the shoulder/elbow of the
cyclist- whichever protrudes furthest to the right) and the leftmost point of
the vehicle (this could be a mirror or part of a load in a trailer). It is
understood the vehicle and cyclist are travelling in the same direction.
The minimum distance applies even if the cyclist is riding
around an obstacle.
From Transport and Main Roads:
To pass a cyclist—as long as it is safe to do so—you are allowed to:
·
drive over centre lines (including double
unbroken centre lines) on a 2-way road
·
straddle or cross a lane line (including a
continuous lane line) on a multi-lane road
·
drive on a painted island.
If it is not safe to pass a cyclist, you must wait until it is safe to
pass.
Cyclists are permitted to ride in special purpose lanes such
as:
Bike lane
Bus lane
Tram lane (The Gold Coast trams operate on a tramway, not a
tram line. Cyclists are not permitted on the tramway.)
Transit lane
Signals- cyclists are actually only required to signal when
turning right.
Roundabouts- Vehicle operators wishing to turn right on a
multi-lane roundabout must enter the roundabout from the right hand lane
(unless signage or road signs indicate otherwise). Cyclists wishing to turn
right at the same roundabout may enter the roundabout from either lane;
however, a cyclist entering from the left lane must give way to any
vehicle wishing to exit the roundabout.
These two links provide more information on rulesfor cyclists and the rules associated with the safeovertaking distances.
Okay- now ride (or drive) safe-
someone's son/daughter/mother/father/aunt/uncle/grandmother/grandfather/etc.. you get the picture, could be on that bike.
Cheers
BoaB
