A few road rules in WA

In Australia all motor vehicles are driven on the left side of the road, so remember to look right first when approaching intersections or crossing the road. At Stop and Giveway signs, you must give way to all other vehicles, and at unmarked intersections, the rule is usually to give way to the right. At roundabouts, you are required to give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

Any traffic accident involving an injury must be reported to the Police as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours. If stopped and questioned by the police, the law requires you to give your name, address and proof of identification. In Western Australia unless sign posted, the maximum speed limit is 110 kilometres per hour (km/h), though I think on a bicycle, this might not be an issue.

Some intersections are controlled by traffic lights. Green means go, red means stop. Yellow means you have to stop if it is safe to do so, as the light is changing to red. Unlike some other states of Australia, the light changes directly from red to green. At some intersections all traffic is stopped, and pedestrians may cross the intersection diagonally.

When turning left at an intersection controlled by traffic lights, it is the law to give way to pedestrians. In Western Australia it is illegal to ride on the footpath (sidewalk) unless it is marked as a dual use or shared path. On shared paths it is a requirement to sound your bell when approaching pedestrians from behind.

It is legal to tow a trailer behind a bicycle, and all bicycles are required to have a working bell or warning device, functioning brakes, and lights if riding at night. If buying a bicycle in Australia, you may notice that the front brake lever is mounted on the right. This is to allow you to use the rear brake with the left hand whilst using the right hand for hand signals. Hand signals are required for stopping and turning.

If bringing your bike in from overseas, you may need to mount your mirror onto the right hand side of your bike for a better rear view, especially if you have been riding in a country on the other side of the road. If you are bringing your own bicycle in, quarantine and customs will want to inspect your bicycle and especially the tyres for traces of soil and other matter.

Some roads in Western Australia, especially in the Perth metropolitan area have bicycle lanes. These are marked and care should be taken to watch for motor vehicles crossing the lane when turning or entering the roadway. On other roads especially outside the metro area, there is usually a sealed shoulder on the edge of the road. It is usually safe to ride in this area.

If riding outside of the Perth area, and especially in the North of the state, you will see some large objects carried on the back of trucks. Wide loads usually have an escort vehicle in front. If the load is really wide, it will be escorted by a police vehicle. If the escort vehicle is approaching, you will see it's flashing lights, and are required to move off of the road.

Being on a bicycle, you will have escort vehicles approaching and passing you from behind. In this case, get off of the road until the load has passed. WARNING - some wide loads have two or more vehicles, so always check for a second vehicle before moving back onto the road.

A wide load passing is usually a good opportunity to get off of the road and get the camera out, as you won't believe some of the things that are carried on the back of trucks.

Extracts from the Cycling Rules

The following items are extracted from "Part 15 Additional rules for bicycle riders, Rule 245, 272 Australian Road Rules", kindly located by Crank. This Part contains rules that apply only to bicycle riders. Most rules in the Australian Road Rules apply to bicycle riders in the same way as they apply to drivers. There are some other rules that are for bicycle riders only, or that have exceptions for bicycle riders.

Rule 247 Riding in a bicycle lane on a road.

(1) The rider of a bicycle riding on a length of road with a bicycle lane designed for bicycles travelling in the same direction as the rider must ride in the bicycle lane unless it is impracticable to do so.

Rule 248 No riding across a road on a crossing.

The rider of a bicycle must not ride across a road, or part of a road, on a childrens crossing, marked foot crossing or pedestrian crossing.

Rule 249 Riding on a separated footpath.

The rider of a bicycle must not ride on a part of a separated footpath designated for the use of pedestrians.

Rule 250 Riding on a footpath or shared path.

(1) The rider of a bicycle who is 12 years old or older must not ride on a footpath if another law of this jurisdiction prohibits the rider from riding on the footpath. (2) The rider of a bicycle riding on a footpath or shared path must: (a) keep to the left of the footpath or shared path unless it is impracticable to do so; and (b) give way to any pedestrian on the footpath or shared path.

Rule 251 Riding to the left of oncoming bicycle riders on a path.

The rider of a bicycle riding on a bicycle path, footpath, separated footpath or shared path must keep to the left of any oncoming bicycle rider on the path.

Rule 252 No bicycles signs and markings.

(1) The rider of a bicycle must not ride on a length of road or footpath to which a no bicycles sign, or a no bicycles road marking, applies. (2) A no bicycles sign, or a no bicycles road marking, applies to a length of road or footpath beginning at the sign or marking and ending at the nearest of the following:

• a bicycle path sign or bicycle path road marking;
• a bicycle lane sign;
• a separated footpath sign or separated footpath road marking;
• a shared path sign;
• an end no bicycles sign; and
• the next intersection.

Rule 253 Bicycle riders not to cause a traffic hazard.

The rider of a bicycle must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver or pedestrian.

Rule 256 Bicycle helmets.

(1) The rider of a bicycle must wear an approved bicycle helmet securely fitted and fastened on the riders head, unless the rider is exempt from wearing a bicycle helmet under another law of this jurisdiction. (2) The rider of a bicycle must not carry a passenger on the bicycle unless: (a) the passenger is wearing an approved bicycle helmet securely fitted and fastened on the passengers head; or (b) the passenger is exempt from wearing a bicycle helmet under another law of this jurisdiction.

Rule 258 Equipment on a bicycle.

A person must not ride a bicycle that does not have: (a) at least 1 effective brake; and (b) a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in working order.

Rule 259 Riding at night.

The rider of a bicycle must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle, or the rider, displays:

1. a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the front of the bicycle; and
2. a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bicycle; and
3. a red reflector that is clearly visible for at least 50 metres from the rear of the bicycle when light is projected onto it by a vehicles headlight on low-beam.

Rule 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. (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.

Some Guidelines

Keep Left on the highway. To some people this would seem obvious, but some cyclists try and ride out as far as possible, causing vehicles to deviate into the oncoming lane. This should be avoided especially when there is double white lines in the centre of the road. You can not expect a vehicle travelling at 110 km/h to suddenly be doing 18 km/h.

Murphy's law dictates that two large vehicles, one approaching from behind and the other from in front, will pass each other on the exact spot on the road where you are. In this case get well off of the road. Go into the gravel if you have to. Better alive than squashed, or getting hit by the corner of the house that's on the back of the wide vehicle.

I've said this elsewhere, but I'll say it again. If you have never experienced riding on main highways where there are road trains (prime mover, tractor trailers) with two or more trailers passing you at speeds of 100 km/h, then be careful until you are used to them. Depending on the wind direction, the rear trailers can exert a sucking motion on you and your bicycle.

In a head wind, you can not hear vehicles coming from behind, so fit a mirror. It is a prequisite for safe riding on the highways in the outback. Most large vehicles, especially road trains will give you plenty of clearance when passing if it is safe, and they are able to. If not, get off the road well before hand, so they can see that you are safely out of the way.

And one final note of importance. Enjoy yourself!