Bike rider rules

Did you know the rules for riding a bike in WA have changed? Now riders of all ages can use the footpath (unless signs say not to). Great news! But this also makes sharing our footpaths and roads even more important.

On the footpath remember:

• Ride in single file.

   

• Pedestrians, including motorised wheelchairs and scooters have right of way.
• Ring your bell at least 30 metres out from approaching anyone from behind so they know you’re coming.
• If you think your bell hasn’t been heard, find another way to make sure they know you’re coming.
• Keep an eye out for local council speed limits for a particular pathway.
• Slow down at driveways to check you’ve been seen by any cars.
• Don’t tie your dog or any other animal to your bike while riding.
• Wear a helmet at all times.

If you’re riding your bike on the road, you have to follow the same rules as cars.  But there are some extra rules that apply only when riding your bike.

On the road remember:

• Keep at least one hand on the handlebars.
• Use the correct hand signals to turn left or right and to stop.
• Ride in a bike lane if there is one.
• Don’t ride within two metres of the back of a car, over a distance of more than 200 metres.
• Don’t hold onto another moving vehicle or be towed by it.
• You can use the left lane of a roundabout when turning right, provided you give way to all exiting traffic.
• Don’t ride more than two bikes side by side on a road. When riding side by side, the two bikes must be no more than 1.5 metres apart.
• You can’t overtake on the left side of a motor vehicle if that motor vehicle is moving and indicating to turn left.
• You can’t ride across a marked foot crossing unless the crossing displays bike crossing lights (and are green).

Find out more on the Road Safety Commission website.

Rules are important, but there are other things you can do to keep safe when you’re out on your bike. Check out our tips for bike safety.