People riding bicycles are among our most vulnerable road users. In a bicycle crash you're more likely seriously injured or killed than if you were in a vehicle. While passing incidents are not among the leading causes of cyclist road trauma, a person on a bike can be vulnerable in a passing scenario. For a cyclist, it is threatening to have a vehicle traveling at 60km/h or more approaching unseen from behind. A vehicle’s larger mass and speed can act like a wave of pressure, threatening to destabilise a rider.

Road deaths reduced across all user groups in 2020, except for people riding bicycles. There were 13 bicycle riders killed on our roads in 2020.

Yes, if you're riding a motorcycle, driving a truck or bus the rule will apply to you too. This means when you're on a with speed limits of 60km/h and below, you need to give 1m passing distance. If you're on a road that has a speed limit over 60km/h you will need to provide 1.5 metres passing distance.

A bus or truck driver may need to provide greater distance than the minimum in order to keep riders safe.

Yes, drivers and motorcycle riders will be allowed to briefly cross the centreline including solid lines and double lines, solid lane lines, and painted islands when overtaking a bicycle rider, but only when they have a clear view ahead and it’s safe to do so.

This rule has been implemented successfully interstate and we’ve worked with our key stakeholders and our road safety partners to ensure this law can be safely implemented in Victoria.

Those that do not comply with the rule will receive a maximum court penalty of 10 penalty units ($1,652) or an on-the-spot infringement penalty of 2 penalty units ($330). Improper overtaking or passing offence incurs 2 demerit points. This is the same as current penalties for overtaking a vehicle without leaving a sufficient distance.

Further information on penalties is available on the VicRoads website

Yes, you still need to provide space if someone is riding in a bicycle lane. Riders will sometimes ride closer to the edge of the lane in order to keep out of the way of opening car doors.

Yes, bicycle riders will still legally be allowed to ride two abreast. It's often the safest option as it improves visibility to drivers and keeps riders safe from hazards on the edge of the road. Riders should consider traffic behind them and move to single file if there's a queue of traffic or if it'll make it easier to pass.

No, this is because vehicle occupants are not at risk of injury if a bicycle passes too closely. When someone riding a bicycle is passing they should be mindful of how much space they are leaving between themselves and other vehicles, particularly when lane filtering, but this rule applies to motorised vehicles, not bicycle riders. A rider should always wait behind a vehicle if it's indicating to turn, and not wait alongside the vehicle.

No, this road rule is about sharing the road safely. It's a common sense approach, if it's not safe to overtake, slow down, be patient and wait until there's a clear view ahead and it's safe to pass. You might have to wait a couple of seconds, but it's unlikely to impact how long it takes you to get somewhere. Giving space however could save a life.