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Cycling
Can you ride a bicycle on the footpath?
The must-know cycling road rules to keep riders, motorists, and pedestrians safe
Can you ride on the footpath, use your phone while cycling, or ride two-abreast? These are the Victorian cycling road rules every cyclist, motorist, and pedestrian should know to keep each other safe.
Victoria’s roads are busy places. Not only are they used by cars, trucks, buses, and trams, they’re also widely used by cyclists -and more recently, e-scooter riders.
Many Victorians are drawn to cycling for its health benefits, convenience, affordability and because it’s just a whole lot of fun. Plus, a free biking challenge is a great way to get into cycling. But riding a bike also comes with responsibilities to keep you and others safe, including knowing Victoria’s road rules.
Victoria’s road rules are for cyclists as well as motorists. Cyclists must also obey cycling-specific rules related to how they ride, helmet laws and not using mobile phones while cycling.
We’ve highlighted some of the must-know rules below.
Bike riding rules in Victoria
Do I need to wear a helmet?
Yes. This is one of the simplest ways to stay safe when riding a bicycle. When it comes to helmets, the law is clear: all bike riders regardless of age, plus any passengers (such as children in bike seats), must wear an approved helmet and it must be done up securely.
When buying a helmet, check the interior for a label stating it complies with the Australian Standards. Make sure it fits snugly but comfortably. When done up correctly, it should not be possible to move the helmet forward on your head.
By law, you also must wear an approved helmet if you’re riding a scooter or e-scooter. Helmet laws apply when riding on the road, footpath, in car parks, in bike lanes, on shared paths and in parks.
Learn more on the helmet rules for cyclists, scooter and skateboard riders in Victoria.
What are the rules for motorists interacting with bike riders?
Motorists must leave at least one metre between them and bike riders when overtaking if driving 60kph or less. If driving faster than 60kph, motorists must leave at least 1.5 metres of space.
Keep in mind that bike riders can legally take up an entire traffic lane, which may be the safest option on narrow roads where there is no bike lane present.
Can you ride a bicycle on the footpath?
Children aged 12 and under can ride their bike on footpaths. An adult or teenager can also ride on the footpath if accompanying a child under 12, or if they’re riding with a child attached to their bike (i.e., in a child’s bike seat or similar).
Riders over 12 can also ride on the footpath if they have a medical condition or disability that makes riding on the road difficult (you’ll need to carry a medical certificate indicating this condition while riding). A person accompanying someone with a medical condition or disability can ride on the footpath too.
Note that footpaths are different to shared paths. Shared paths are clearly marked and can be used by bike riders, pedestrians, e-scooter riders and those using a wheeled recreational device (such as a skateboard). Bicycles must give way to pedestrians when using a shared path.
Motorists must keep 1-1.5 metres distance from bike riders depending on how fast they're driving. Image: Matt Harvey
Do bike riders have to use bike lanes or can they cycle on the road?
Bike riders can use the road unless signs say otherwise. However, when riding on a road with a marked bicycle lane, riders must use the bicycle lane unless it is impracticable to do so.
While bike riders using the road must use a bike lane if present and practical, they do not have to use an off-road bike path (or shared path) even if it runs parallel to the road. They may use the road in this instance, even if there is no bike lane present.
Bus lanes can also be used by bike riders unless a sign prohibits it.
Can bike riders use freeways?
Bike riders are also not allowed on urban freeways or on any other freeway that has signage prohibiting cyclists (though they can ride within the shoulder on some regional freeways if appropriately signed).
Does a bicycle need to have lights and reflectors?
Working bike lights and reflectors are required for riding at night or in bad weather. This means a white light on the front, plus a red light and red reflector on the back. The lights can be either flashing or static, but must be visible from 200 metres away, and the reflector from 50 metres.
To be considered roadworthy in general, your bike must also have at least one working brake, plus a working bell, horn, or other warning device.
Reflective clothing is not a legal requirement, but RACV recommends that bike riders, especially children, wear bright clothing to maximise their visibility.
What are the rules for motorists who need to cross a bike lane to make a left-hand turn?
Motorists can enter bike lanes from up to 50 metres away to make a turn or park when permitted but must give way to bike riders when doing so.
In the instance where a motorist wishes to turn left, they must give way to a bike rider travelling straight if crossing a marked bike lane.
Where there is no bike lane, or the bike lane does not continue through the intersection, bike riders must not ride past or overtake to the left of a vehicle that is turning left and giving a left change of direction signal.
Dooring is one of the most significant hazards for cyclists. RACV therefore supports the inclusion of the ‘Dutch Reach’ technique in the Victorian road rules handbook and learner driver materials, where motorists use their left hand to open their driver’s side door as a technique to remember to check for oncoming bicycles.
Bike riders must use bike lanes where possible and practical and always wear a helmet. Image: Getty
Can bike riders cycle two-abreast?
Bike riders are legally allowed to cycle two abreast (two riders cycling next to each other) in both single and multi-lane roads in Victoria. When travelling two abreast, riders should be no more than 1.5 metres apart, and no more than two riders can cycle parallel next to each other (a third may do so temporarily to overtake).
Where there is a bike lane (and it is practicable to use), bike riders must use it.
Can I use my phone while cycling?
Just like with motor vehicles, it is illegal to use your phone or other portable device such as a smartwatch while riding a bike. Exceptions to this rule include briefly touching the device to receive or make a call, or using the phone audio player, and using the GPS systems so long as these functions can be operated hands-free and the phone is contained within a commercially-designed phone mount securely affixed to the bicycle.
Can I wear headphones while cycling?
It is not illegal to wear headphones while riding a bike, but you should make sure they don’t interfere with your ability to hear and safely react to the traffic around you.
What are the rules for riding an e-bike?
Electric bicycle or e-bike riders in Victoria must abide by the same road rules as conventional, non-powered cyclists.
E-bikes don't need to be registered in Victoria, as long as they meet the specification requirements as set out by Transport Victoria - visit the website to find out more.
Read more: the ultimate guide to buying and owning an e-bike.
Bike riders must use bike lanes where possible and practical and always wear a helmet. Image: Getty
Do bike riders have to stop at red traffic lights?
Yes. Bike riders must obey all traffic signs and signals, including traffic lights. This means they must stop at a red light and stop if safe to do so at a yellow light.
Riders must also stop at pedestrian crossings where pedestrians are waiting to cross, including at children’s crossings when the flags are displayed.
Do bike riders have to indicate when turning?
Bike riders must signal their intention to turn right by extending their right arm.
Bike riders do not have to signal to turn left, but it is good practice if safe to do so.
When should I use the bell when riding a bike?
A bicycle must have a bell, horn or similar warning device to be considered roadworthy.
When on shared paths, or footpaths where applicable, bike riders should use their bell when overtaking to alert other path users to their presence.
