Q: How far can you drive in a bicycle lane?
A: You may drive in a bicycle lane for a maximum of 50 metres but you are permitted to do so for only a limited number of reasons, including to avoid obstacles, to turn left, or to enter or leave the road.
The opportunities for legally driving in a bike lane are severely restricted – and for good reasons.
What is a bicycle lane?
A bicycle lane is a designated lane of the road specifically for cyclists to use. It is generally marked by signage bearing an obvious bicycle symbol, in order to clearly differentiate it from traffic lanes that are used by cars, taxis and buses.
Why do they exist?
Bicycle lanes exist to facilitate the safe, smooth travel of cyclists between their point of departure and their destination, without having to contend with the interference of cars or other vehicles.
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What are the general rules regarding driving in bicycle lanes?
You may drive in a bicycle lane for a maximum of 50 metres but only for a limited number of reasons, including:
To avoid obstacles: If the main road is for some reason blocked to vehicles as a result of a motor vehicle accident or roadworks, you may use the bicycle lane to drive clear of the obstacle or hazard. This should only be done with caution and when absolutely necessary.
To turn left: You can drive in a bicycle lane for up to 50 metres if you have to in order to safely turn left – obviously giving way to, and ensuring the safety of, any cyclists that are in the bicycle lane at the same time as you. How far can you drive in the bicycle lane when turning left? 50 metres – did you miss that valuable piece of information a sentence or so ago?
To enter or leave the road: If you need to enter or leave the road from a driveway or side street, you may drive in a designated bicycle lane but only for up to 50 metres.
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In Victoria, drivers in a bicycle lane are also permitted to be in that lane when they are dropping off passengers. How far can you drive in a bicycle lane to drop off a passenger? 50 metres.
Before entering a designated bicycle lane, you must give way to all bicycles. Bicycle lane rules may seem strict, but they’re in place to try to keep people safe.
What is the distance you can drive in a bicycle lane and who does this apply to? What is the maximum distance you can drive in the bicycle lane?
Whatever your reason for travelling in a bicycle lane though, if you’re not actually on a bike then you are limited to a travelling distance of only 50 metres in that lane – that’s the maximum distance you may drive a vehicle in bicycle lane. This applies to everyone. Exceeding that distance is a breach of the road rules and will attract penalties/fines (more about that below).
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What is the maximum distance you can drive in the bicycle lane to overtake? 0 metres. That’s not what the bicycle lane is for.
Do the rules regarding driving in a bicycle lane differ across Australian states?
According to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts: “Each state and territory adopts the Australian Road Rules in its own legislation. With minor exceptions, the Australian Road Rules are applied consistently in each state and territory.”
So rules regarding driving in bicycle lanes are very similar in Queensland, NSW and all other states and territories but, as always, check with the authorities of the state or territory in which you’re travelling or intend to travel to make sure you are up to date with the road rules applicable there.
Can you park in a bike lane? When can you stop or park in a marked bicycle lane?
No. Drivers are not permitted to stop or park in a bicycle lane unless there is signage clearly stating that you may. So, don’t stop or park in a bicycle lane.
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Can motorbikes use bike lanes?
No, except for the very limited few reasons that cars are permitted to do so: to avoid obstacles, to turn left, or to enter or leave the road.
What are the penalties involved for driving in a bicycle lane when not allowed?
Fines may vary slightly across the state and territories but, for your reference, driving in the bicycle lane in NSW will attract a $194 fine but no demerit points; doing the same thing in Queensland will result in a $161 fine for the driver; and in South Australia you’ll cop a $421 fine.
Are there exceptions?
If you’re driving a “special purpose vehicle” (a motor vehicle that is either a tow truck, a vehicle used for repairing traffic control light signals or another emergency-response type vehicle) being operated by or at the direction of Transport for NSW and proceeding to the scene of an accident or other emergency.