Safety tips for motorists

Bicycles are vehicles and have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as other road users. Motorists can make it easier and safer for cyclists to ride on the road if they follow these simple steps:

Make room
When you overtake a cyclist, give them lots of room (at least one metre or a whole lane if you're travelling over 60 km/h).
Check for cyclists
Check your blind spots for cyclists before changing course, turning or opening your car door.
Give way when required
Treat cyclists like any other vehicle - give way when required and travel at a safe following distance.
Be patient
Wait until it's safe before overtaking a cyclist. It won't hold you up long and it could save their life. If a cyclist is ahead of you and you are turning left, turn behind the cyclist. Overtaking and cutting off a cyclist is extremely dangerous. Do not overtake a cyclist just before a roundabout especially if you are turning left. Some cyclists can go through roundabouts faster than you might in a car.
Take extra care at night and in the wet
Watch out for cyclists at night, dawn or dusk. Be considerate and dip your headlights when approaching a cyclist. Wet weather means oily, slippery roads and poor visibility for all road users so be especially careful around cyclists at these times.
Look out for kids on bikes
Be aware around schools and places where children might be riding bikes. Many crashes between bikes and cars involve children. Young cyclists are not always predictable and can lack road sense. Give children extra space when passing and slow down around schools.
Be fair
Cyclists are legitimate road users—treat them with respect and courtesy. The cyclist in front of you has a family too—it pays to take care.
Cyclists do pay registration and save you money
The full cost of car usage including accidents, police, emergency services, medical attention etc in Australia is actually subsidised by tax payers. Most adult cyclists also own a car and pay registration. Cyclists pay the transport levee in their Council rates. By choosing to ride instead of drive, cyclists are helping everyone else by reducing traffic congestion, parking demand, pollution, crash costs, road costs and the health costs caused by lack of exercise. Cyclists save the community $0.60 per km they ride instead of drive.