144AKeeping safe lateral distance when passing bicycle rider

144A Keeping safe lateral distance when passing bicycle rider

(1)  The driver of a motor vehicle passing the rider of a bicycle who is travelling in the same direction as the driver must pass the bicycle at least a sufficient distance from the bicycle.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

Note Rule 129 generally requires a rider of a bicycle on a road, other than a multi-lane road, to ride as near as practicable to the far left side of the road.

(2)  A sufficient distance from a bicycle is –

(a) if the applicable speed-limit is not more than 60 km/h – a lateral distance from the bicycle of at least 1 metre; or

(b) if the applicable speed-limit is more than 60 km/h – a lateral distance from the bicycle of at least 1.5 metres.

(3)  For subsection (2), the lateral distance is the distance between the following points:

(a) the furthermost point to the left on the driver's vehicle or any projection from the vehicle (whether or not attached to the vehicle);

(b) the furthermost point to the right on the bicycle, any bicycle trailer towed by the bicycle, the rider or any passenger in or on the trailer.

| | Example of what is part of a bicycle for paragraph (b) | | | A basket or pannier bags attached to the bicycle. | | | Example of what is not part of a bicycle for paragraph (b) | | | A flag or stick, whether or not flexible, attached to the bicycle, that projects sideways from the bicycle. |