What laws and rules do cyclists need to adhere to in Queensland?
There are quite a few things that cyclists need to know to ensure they are following the rules when riding on the road safely. Not knowing these or being unsure of the rules could be unsafe for the cyclist, fellow cyclists, motorists and pedestrians, not to mention the penalties that could come with disobeying the rules.
Bicycles are a type of vehicle have the same rights and responsibilities when using the road as drivers of cars and motorbikes do. Here are the main road rules to be aware of if you are a cyclist in Queensland.
Cycling on the footpath or road
It is up to cyclists whether they would like to ride on the road or on the footpath in Queensland unless otherwise signed. This will typically be determined by the speed at which cyclists are hoping to ride at and their confidence interacting with cars. Like cars, cyclists must give way to pedestrians and keep left, which becomes particularly important when riding a bike along the footpath.
Mandatory equipment for cyclists
It is illegal for cyclists to ride a bike without a well-fitting helmet, a functioning brake and either a bell or horn to alert people. If riding during the night or bad weather, it is also required that the bike is fixed with at least one red reflector on the back, a red flashing or steady light at the rear and a headlight. This ensures the bike is seen by pedestrians and motorists, and assists the cyclist to see what’s immediately ahead.
Positioning on the road
On a single lane road, it is important that cyclists ride as far-left as they possibly can (safely). This is because motorists need to stay at least one meter wider than the cyclist when driving at 60km/h and 1.5 meters when travelling over 60km/h and it can be incredibly unsafe and disruptive to the flow of traffic having a cyclist in the middle of the lane. On a multiple lane road however, cyclists are permitted to ride in any part of the lane. It should also be recognised that cyclists are permitted to ride alongside one other cyclist if they are not on a single-lane road and that they are no more than 1.5 meters apart from one another.
Other road rules and more information for anyone riding a bike in QLD
There are quite a number of other rules for cyclists using the road, including:
- It is an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone while riding a bike;
- Cyclists must ride predictably and signal their movements using their arms as indicators; and
- Cyclists must follow general road rules such as stopping at red lights and stop signs and not riding intoxicated.
These are just some of the important road rules cyclists should be aware of when riding on the road. Sticking to these road rules will ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. Failing to abide them is not only dangerous, but can result in some hefty fines from the police.
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