AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES: 1st December 1999.
BICYCLES, WHEEL CHAIRS, WHEELED RECREATION DEVICES AND WHEELED TOYS:
Message to cyclists: As well as obeying road rules cyclists need to also consider factors outside the road rules to remain safe when riding on our roads and highways such as:-
* Other traffic - not only be observant of traffic in front and to the sides of you but traffic behind you as well. Rear vision mirrors help but when making a right turn, check by looking as well before turning.
* Road conditions - is there enough room in the bike lane or road shoulder or traffic lane for you when another vehicle overtakes you? When faced with a squeese point, check for traffic behind as well as in front and stop and wait for a break in the traffic if necessary before proceeding through the squeese point. On roads with no bike lane or road shoulder, if no vehicle is approaching you then a vehicle behind will have room to overtake you. If a vehicle is approaching you then check for a vehicle behind and get off the road if necessary.Internet: Queensland Transport - Road Rules for Cyclists
The Queensland Drivers Guide: Purchase a copy of edition 11.3 of the Queensland Driver's Guide from Newsagents or Queensland Transport Customer Service Centres.
More questions: If these resources still don't answer all of your questions, phone 1800 804 205.
Main Roads Queensland: road hazard report line - 13 19 40.
HOOK TURN:
Even though it has been legal for cyclists to make a hook turn at intersections, Cairns has marked the storage boxes at the signalised intersection of Mulgrave Rd and Severin St. This is a first for Queensland and cyclists will appreciate this trial by Main Roads and hope that all intersections will receive these line markings. Click here for an explanation of how to make a right turn using the storage boxes. Your feedback would be appreciated.
PENALTIES:
Cairns Post 12 October 2004 - Tougher penalties will come in on 1 November 2004:-
1. Failing to wear a seat belt $225.
2. Failing to wear a helmet on a motorcycle $225.
3. Failing to wear a helmet on a bicycle $75.
4. Car "surfing" $140.
5. Overcrowding $140.
QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT OPERATIONS
(ROAD USE MANAGEMENT) ACT 1995:
Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Road Rules) Regulation 1999:
Part 2 - APPLICATION OF THIS REGULATION - Division 2 - Road users and vehicles.
s 14. Road Users:
A "road user" is a driver, rider, passenger or pedestrian.
s 15. What is a vehicle:
A "vehicle" includes -
(a) a motor vehicle, trailer and tram; and
(b) a bicycle: and
(c) an animal-drawn vehicle and an animal that is being ridden or drawing a vehicle; and
(d) a combination; and
(e) a motorised wheelchair that can travel at over 10km/h (on level ground);
but does not include another kind of wheelchair, a train, or a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy.
s 16. Who is a driver:
(1) A "driver" is a person who is driving a vehicle (except a motorbike, bicycle, animal or animal-drawn vehicle).
(2) However a "driver" does not include a person pushing a motorised wheelchair.
s 17. Who is a rider:
(1) A "rider" is the person who is riding a motorbike, bicycle, animal or animal-drawn vehicle.
(2) A "rider" does not include -
(a) a passenger; or
(b) a person walking beside and pushing a bicycle.
s 18. Who is a pedestrian:
A "pedestrian" includes -
(a) a person driving a motorised wheelchair that can not travel at over 10km/h (on level ground); and
(b) a person in a non-motorised wheel chair; and
(c) a person pushing a motorised or non-motorised wheelchair; and
(d) a person in or on a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy.
s 19. References to driver includes rider etc:
Unless otherwise expressly stated in this regulation, a reference in this regulation (except in this division) to a "driver" includes a reference to a rider, and a reference in this regulation (except in this division) to "driving" includes a reference to riding.
Part 9 - ROUNDABOUTS.
s 111. Entering a roundabout from a multi-lane road or a road with 2 or more lines of traffic travelling in the same direction:
(3) If the driver is to leave the roundabout more than halfway around it, the driver must enter the roundabout from the right marked lane or right line of traffic.
(6) Subsection (3) does not apply to the rider of a bicycle or animal.
s 119. Giving way by the rider of a bicycle or animal to a vehicle leaving a roundabout:
The rider of a bicycle or animal who is riding in the far left marked lane of a roundabout with 2 or more marked lanes, or the far left line of traffic in a roundabout with 2 or more lines of traffic, must give way to any vehicle leaving the roundabout. Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.
CBUG comment: This rule needs to be read in conjunction with s 111.(3) and (6).
The interpretation and practical application of s 119. would be applicable when cyclists are executing a right turn, that is, when leaving a roundabout more than half way around it. Cyclists riding in the left lane who are turning left or riding straight ahead obey the same rules as motor vehicles - that is, give right of way to all exiting vehicles.
s 111. gives 5 examples to show how vehicles should enter and exit roundabouts. It would be consistent that s 119. also gives examples to show how cyclists should enter and exit roundabouts.
The problem for cyclists is not so much as having to give way, but where do they stop when riding in the traffic lane, to give way to exiting vehicles from the centre lane. If there is a bicycle lane or shoulder within the roundabout, then there is space to move over and have a safe refuge. AUSTROADS Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice, Part 14, Bicycles, 1999, does not give an example of a roundabout with a bicycle lane or shoulder such as the previous edition of 1993.
This is a prime example of where ENGINEERING should support this law, ENFORCEMENT will be anyone's interpretation of the law, EDUCATION must teach according to the law and ENCOURAGEMENT will not achieve an increase in cycling unless, the first three programs are consistent with each other.
This rule and the change to AUSTROADS may not make it safer for cyclists at roundabouts.
This rule would be consistent with cyclists riding in a bike lane or road shoulder as recommended in the 1993 AUSTROADS manual that cyclists give way at exits. Cyclists riding in the traffic lane obey the same rules for all drivers of vehicles.
This rule was not included in the pamphlet distributed to all households.
This rule could protect motorists from being held responsible for an accident involving a cyclist.
CYCLISTS NEED:
1. Cyclists need more education about being allowed to turn right from the left lane and where to give right of way at exits.
2. AUSTROADS should include bike lanes or shoulders in roundabouts so that cyclists have somewhere to stop when giving right of way at exits or wishing to keep clear of fast moving traffic.
3. EXAMPLES need to be included in Section 119. Regulation 1999, so that cyclists, engineers, police and educators all know exactly what is required. IF IT CAN'T BE DRAWN, IT CAN'T BE DONE.
Part 11 - KEEPING LEFT, OVERTAKING AND OTHER DRIVING RULES - Division 3 - Overtaking:
s 140. No overtaking etc to the left of a vehicle:
(1) A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not overtake a vehicle to the left of the vehicle unless -
(a) the driver is driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be safely overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle; or
(b) the vehicle is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal.(2) The rider of a bicycle must not ride past, or overtake, to the left of a vehicle that is turning left and is giving a left change of direction signal.
(3) In this section - "turning right" does not include making a hook turn.
CBUG comment: Is there a reciprical law that says - motorists making a left turn must not overtake on the right of cyclists who are travelling straight ahead. Why don't motorists slow down behind the cyclist when entering properties, turning left or crossing the edge line?
Part 11 - KEEPING LEFT, OVERTAKING AND OTHER DRIVING RULES - Division 4 - Driving in marked lanes or lines of traffic:
s 150. Driving on or across a continuous white edge line:
(1) A driver must not drive on or over a continuous white edge line on a road unless the driver is -
(a) turning at an intersection; and
(b) entering or leaving the road; and
(c) entering a part of the road of 1 kind from a part of the road of another kind (for example, moving to or from a service road, a shoulder of the road or an emergency stopping lane); or
(d) overtaking a vehicle that is -
(i) turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road; and
(ii) giving a right change of direction signal; or
(e) driving a slow moving vehicle; or
(f) stopping at the side of the road; or
(g) driving a vehicle that is too wide, or too long, to drive on the road without driving on or over the edge line.(2) This section does not apply to the rider of a bicycle or animal.
CBUG comment: Cyclists need to be aware that they are not automatically safe because they are riding outside the edge line on a road shoulder or a car parking lane. A motorist may come upon a cyclist who was out of sight before overtaking on the left of another vehicle which is turning right. Also a motorist may come upon a cyclist after moving over across the edge line to turn left. These lawful traffic manoeuvres can put cyclists at risk especially if the motorist is travelling too fast. Motorists need to be aware of the width of their vehicles, especially trailers that are being towed that are wider than the vehicle being driven. Cyclists have been hit by these trailers and are also at risk from objects protruding from trailers and vehicles.
Part 14 - RULES FOR PEDESTRIANS - Division 2 - Rules for persons travelling in or on wheeled recreational devices and wheeled toys:
Wheeled Recreational Device means a wheeled device, built to transport a person, propelled by human power or gravity, and ordinarily used for recreation or play, and -
(a) includes roller blades, rollerskates, a skateboard or similar sheeled device; but
(b) does not include a golf buggy, pram, stroller or trolley, or a bicycle, wheelchair or wheeled toy.Wheeled Toy means a child's pedal car, scooter or tricycle or a similar toy, but only when it is being used by a child who is under 12 years old.
s 240. Wheeled recreational devices and toys not to be used on certain roads:
(1) A person must not travel in or on a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy on -
(a) a road with a dividing line or median strip; or
(b) a one-way road with more than 1 marked lane.
(2) In this section - "road" does not include a road-related area, but includes any shoulder of the road.
CBUG comment: Wheeled recreation devices (everyone) and wheeled toys (people under 12 yrs old) are allowed on a road that has no dividing line or median strip and on a one-way road with only one marked lane. It is important to realise that not all our foot paths have cement paths and not all our roads have sealed shoulders, bike paths or foot paths. The roads that have no dividing line or median strip are also likely to have no cement foot path, bike path or road shoulder and will have only the sealed traffic lane available for use. Also, a road with a dividing line or median strip may have a road shoulder and no cement foot path or bike path but is illegal for use by this group of people.
s 258. Equipment on a bicycle:
A person must not ride a bicycle or powered wheeled recreational device that does not have ----
(a) at least 1 effective brake; and
(b) a bell, horn or similar warning device in working order.
Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.
s 259. Riding at night:
The rider of a bicycle or powered wheeled recreational device must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle or device, or the rider, displays----
(a) a flshing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the front of the bicycle or device; and
(b) a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the rear of the bicycle or device; and
(c) a red reflector that is clearly visible for a least 50 m from the rear of the bicycle or device when light is projected onto it by a vehicle's headlight on low-beam.
Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.
s 260. Stopping for a red bicycle crossing light:
(1) The rider of a bicycle approaching or at bicycle crossing lights showing a red bicycle crossing light must stop before reaching the bicycle crossing lights.
Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.(2) The rider must not proceed until -
(a) the bicycle crossing lights change to green; or
(b) there is no red bicycle crossing light showing.
Australian Road Rules - Pamphlet 1 December 1999:
Queensland has been working with other states and territories to develop a set of nationally consistent road rules. These rules will be introduced in Queensland from 1 December 1999.
Bicycles:
1. No riding across a road on a crossing. This new rule means cyclists are not permitted to ride across a road on a pedestrian crossing, children's crossing, or marked foot crossing.
CBUG comment: Cyclists experience problems at signalised intersections. 1. There may be no bike lane before and through the intersection where the cyclist may ride. Cyclists will have to ride in the traffic lane or move over to the pedestrian crossing. 2. There may be no facility for the cyclist to change the traffic lights to green. If a pedestrian crossing is available, the cyclist moves from the road to the crossing to change the traffic lights to green. The cyclist is then required to walk across the crossing or move back to the road to ride through the intersection.
If technology is availble for motorists and pedestrians to activate traffic lights, why are cyclists discriminated against? Equity of provision of services is a SAFETY ISSUE as well as providing basic facilities for all modes of traffic. Cyclists need "buttons" with a bicycle logo, positioned on poles or hand rails adjacent to the road at signalised intersections. It will be difficult to enforce this law especially when cyclists will have to move to the crossing to activate lights and will be tempted to ride on the crossing if there are no pedestrians.
2. Overtaking to the left. Bicycles can now overtake to the left of a vehicle, unless the vehicle is turning left, or it is unsafe to do so.
CBUG comment: Cyclists have always passed a line of traffic on the left, where there is space.
Wheeled recreation devices and wheeled toys:
1. Wheeled recreation devices include rollerblades, rollerskates and skateboards.
2. A wheeled toy means a child's pedal car, scooter, tricycle or similar toy used by a child under 12 years old.
A person travelling on a wheeled recreation device or wheeled toy, (a) must not travel on a road with a dividing line or median strip, or a one way road with more than one marked lane; (b) must keep to the far left side of the road as far as possible when travelling on a road, shared path or foot path; (c) must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on a footpath or shared path.
CBUG comment: This just goes to show how many different modes of traffic are likely to be used on foot paths, bike paths and roads. Wheeled devices, wheeled toys, bicycles, pedestrians, prams, wheel chairs must all be provided for in our transport systems.
Wheeled recreation devices (everyone) and wheeled toys (people under 12 yrs old) are allowed on a road that has no dividing line or median strip and on a one-way road with only one marked lane. It is important to realise that not all our foot paths have cement paths and not all our roads have sealed shoulders. The roads that have no dividing line or median strip are also likely to have no cement foot path or road shoulder and will have only the traffic lane available for use. Also, a road with a dividing line or median strip may have a road shoulder and no cement foot path but is illegal for use by this group of people.
Continuous white edge line:
Drivers must ensure they do not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless they are:-
1. entering or leaving the road 2. turning at an intersection 3. overtaking to the left of a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn 4. stopping at the side of a road
CBUG comment: Cyclists need to be aware that they are not automatically safe because they are riding outside the edge line on a road shoulder or a car parking lane. A motorist may come upon a cyclist who was out of sight before overtaking on the left of another vehicle which is turning right. Also a motorist may come upon a cyclist after moving over across the edge line to turn left. These lawful traffic manoeuvres can put cyclists at risk especially if the motorist is travelling too fast.
Duties of a driver involved in a crash:
You must report a crash if:-
1. a vehicle involved needs to be towed away. 2. any person involved is killed or injured. 3. the crash causes $2,500 or more damage to property (other than vehicles)
CBUG comment: The largest number of complaints from cyclists is the condition of road shoulders, car parking lanes, bicycle lanes, intersections, roundabouts, space used by cyclists on roads. Even if the road surface is good, the presence of glass, debris, gravel etc is an ongoing concern. A cyclist may swerve to dodge glass on the road because they don't want to get a puncture and then have to seek assistance, fix a flat tyre or walk home. The law requires the people who have had the accident and made the mess or the people removing the vehicles on the drivers behalf, to be responsible for the clean up. Stricter enforcement is needed to ensure that debris from accidents is totally removed.
CYCLISTS RIDING ON FOOT PATHS:
Have you been riding on the foot paths lately, well don't worry because you haven't broken the law but you are required to give way to pedestrians and ride carefully. Look out for signs with the bicycle prohibition logo - a bicycle with a line through it. This means that you must not ride your bike but you may walk and wheel your bike.
ROAD RULES CRITERIA:
Is there a testing criteria for the introduction and update of road rules? When a law is promulgated, what criteria determines whether this is a good law?
As an example, the law states that vehicles must drive on the left side of the road:-
Can the law be engineered? - such as constructing two traffic lanes for vehicles travelling in both directions keeping to the left.
Can it be taught? - such as BIKE-ED road safety programs, knowing left from right.
Can it be enforced? - such as road users and police having an understanding of the law, keep to the left.
Will this law encourage better behaviour and safety of road users? - such as keeping to the left because wrong way travel may lead to a collision.
Any law can be put to this test. If a law can't be engineered, taught, enforced and encouraged to provide a realistic and as safe as possible environment for all road users, then we need to examine the role of the law.
BICYCLE RULES IN SIMPLY LANGUAGE:
Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Road Rules) Regulation 1999
Riding on the road:
s129.(1) Cyclists must ride on the far left side of the road.
s129.(3) A "road" is as wide as the edge line.
s247.(2) A bike lane is part of the "road".
s153(4) A bike lane starts with a sign and ends with a sign, or end of road, or intersection.
s247.(1) A cyclist must ride in the bike lane unless there is a reason why not to.Riding on the road shoulder:
s131 Cyclists must ride to the left of on-coming traffic.
s13 A road shoulder that is sealed and/or unsealed is part of the "road related area".
s150 Cyclists may ride on the road shoulder.
OXFORD DICTIONARY:
Velocipede: Kinds of light vehicle impelled by rider, (now chiefly historical of obsolete types e.g. hobby, also as general term = CYCLE). From French velocipede. From Latin velox ocis (swift) + pes pedis (foot).
Impelled: Impel, drive forward, propel. From Latin pellere puls (drive).
Cycle: Bicycle, tricycle, or similar machine. From Latin from Greek kuklos(circle).
THE STORY OF THE BICYCLE: by John Woodforde.
The first true bicycle, a two wheeled velocipede that could be ridden with the feet entirely off the ground, appeared in 1839. In that year Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith of Courthill, quietly finished work on a treadle operated two wheeler. It was a significant advance on the hobby horse. The safety bicycle the familiar low machine with a chain drive to the back wheel began to make a tentative showing on the roads in 1884. Safety bicycles fitted with the ever improving pneumatic tyres brought about a change in everyday life. By the middle of the 1890s it was obvious to all that a cycling boom was in progress.
THE TRAFFIC ACT these were the rules prior to the new road rules that came into being on 1st December 1999. We now have a complete new set of rules.