The NSW Government wheeled out a new set of rules regarding bicycles with effect from Tuesday 1st March 2016. Drivers caught not allowing the minimum distance when passing a bicycle rider face a $319+ fine and a penalty of two demerit points. We often have cyclists using Cove roads - including a few energetic Cove locals - so this change of rules has local as well as wider significance.
When passing a bicycle rider the new rule requires that you allow a distance of at least:
* 1 metre when the speed limit is 60km/h or less; and
* 1.5 metres when the speed limit is more than 60km/h
Before anyone gets too cross about cyclists taking over the roads, there are some special exemptions from other rules that reduce the risk of you being held up behind cyclists for too long.
In passing a bicycle rider, you will be exempt from the following rules, as long as it is safe to pass the bicycle rider with at least the required space and you have a clear view of approaching traffic:
- Keep to the left of the centre of the road (two-way road with no dividing line)
- Keep to the left of the centre of a dividing line - broken and unbroken lines
- Keep off a flat dividing strip
- Keep off a flat painted island
- Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic
- Moving from one marked lane to another across a continuous line separating the lanes
So you can, for example, cross a double line to pass a bicycle rider, provided it is safe to do so.
A spokes person has pointed out that there are also new rules and significantly increased penalties (now up to $425) that apply to bicycle riders from 1st March 2016. Bicycle riders also must now carry a photo ID and they are encouraged to provide a metre of space between them and a pedestrian on a shared path.
http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/go-together/
