Riding on Road 2 Abreast

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jason
Hi,

Am wondering if it's legal to ride 2 abreast on single lane roads? Eg. 2 bikes side by side. Thanks.

Cheers, Jason

in western australia, yes.
not sure about the rest of aus.

Hi Jason,

Here in Victoria, and I expect the rest of Australia, it is perfectly legal to ride 2 abreast on
public roads as follows;

Under the road rules, a cyclist must not ride alongside more than one other rider, unless:

a. the rider is overtaking other cyclists who may be cycling beside each other; or,
b. the rider is taking part in an on-road cycling event that has been approved by the Chief
Commissioner of Police.

If a cyclist is riding alongside another cyclist, the cyclist must not ride more than 1.5 metres
from the other cyclist.

<vicroads.vic.gov.au1A9365777EC0EB45CA2Open ↗
56B5F0003CDCC?OpenDocument&Area=[Cyclists]>

Sting>

"Jason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

Am wondering if it's legal to ride 2 abreast on single lane roads? Eg. 2 bikes side by
side. Thanks.

Cheers, Jason

In any case, you should be sensible about using this rule.

If you're on a single lane road with a double line then it's best to ride in single file. Also, you should monitor the situation if you are going to ride 2 abreast on a single lane road. If you have a car coming up ahead and another from behind, you should also go single file as the car behind won't be able to overtake.

Just exercise common sense and show some good-will towards motorists in these circumstances. Although riding two abreast might be legal, it will [censored] motorists in some cases.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sting
[B]Hi Jason,

Here in Victoria, and I expect the rest of Australia, it is perfectly legal to ride 2 abreast on
public roads as follows;

Under the road rules, a cyclist must not ride alongside more than one other rider, unless:

a. the rider is overtaking other cyclists who may be cycling beside each other; or,
b. the rider is taking part in an on-road cycling event that has been approved by the Chief
Commissioner of Police.

If a cyclist is riding alongside another cyclist, the cyclist must not ride more than 1.5 metres
from the other cyclist.
[/quote]

OK, that's thoroughly confusing, but true. In English: You can ride two abreast, more if you're passing or racing/in an organised event w police permission. I thought you also couldn't ride two abreast where double white lines are marked on a single lane road. Anyone know about this?

In aus.bicycle on Tue, 27 Jan 2004 14:51:15 GMT

Roadie_scum said:

OK, that's thoroughly confusing, but true. In English: You can ride two abreast, more if you're
passing or racing/in an organised event w police permission. I thought you also couldn't ride two
abreast where double white lines are marked on a single lane road. Anyone know about this?

It's not mentioned in any road rules I've seen.

You can search yourself on www.austlii.edu.au.

Zebee

Greetings, Yes, it is legal and always has been, in the words of the law, `when safe to do so'. This
of course presents some problems, how do you know it is safe? I travel with a rear vision mirror
attached to my glasses and pull in when I see a car coming up. I wouldn't recommend trying to
enforce your end of the law on a city road in peak hour though. Regards,
RY>

Jason said:

Hi,

Am wondering if it's legal to ride 2 abreast on single lane roads? Eg. 2 bikes side by
side. Thanks.

Cheers, Jason

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jason
Hi,

Am wondering if it's legal to ride 2 abreast on single lane roads? Eg. 2 bikes side by side. Thanks.

Cheers, Jason

From Tasmanian Dept of Transport web site

http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/road/transport_tas/cycling_walking.html#New%20Road%20Rules

New Road Rules

As part of the new National Traffic Code, some new road rules will affect users of some alternative forms of transport. Important changes include:

Two abreast bicycling and horse riding in single traffic lanes;
Riding of wheeled recreational devices or wheeled toys, such as skateboards and rollerblades, on roads and footpaths.

As these were put into place to comply with national road rules I assume they apply to all Australian States and territories.

These are the changes which came into effect:

Two abreast bicycle riding is now legal on Tasmanian roads where it is safe to do so. (Hey hey, now we can hold up traffic forever!)

Cyclists must ride in bicycle lanes where these are provided on a roadway, unless it is impracticable to do so. (The only designated bicycle lane in Hobart, near Taroona is worse than useless - full of stones, glass, potholes, parked cars and, in some places, is the gutter).

Bicycle riders in the far left-hand lane of a roundabout with two or more lanes must give way to any vehicle leaving the roundabout. (Wow it took some intelligence to dream that one up - I thought that's what everyone has to do).

P.S. Use of indicators on Tasmanian roads still appears to be optional, especially when turning left in front of a cyclist!!

The rule that everyone seems to ignore is that, yes, it is ok to ride two abreast, however in
doing so they must not obstruct vehicle traffic. This means that if you are two abreast and the
traffic behind cannot overtake because of you, the cops can take action if an irrate motorist
hasn't already.

BG

Sting said:

Hi Jason,

Here in Victoria, and I expect the rest of Australia, it is perfectly legal to ride 2 abreast on
public roads as follows;

Under the road rules, a cyclist must not ride alongside more than one other rider, unless:

a. the rider is overtaking other cyclists who may be cycling beside each other; or,
b. the rider is taking part in an on-road cycling event that has been approved by the Chief
Commissioner of Police.

If a cyclist is riding alongside another cyclist, the cyclist must not ride more than 1.5 metres
from the other cyclist.

<vicroads.vic.gov.au1A9365777EC0EB45CA2Open ↗
56B5F0003CDCC?OpenDocument&Area=[Cyclists]>

Sting>

"Jason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

Am wondering if it's legal to ride 2 abreast on single lane roads? Eg. 2 bikes side by
side. Thanks.

Cheers, Jason

In article <[email hidden]>,

Brian said:

The rule that everyone seems to ignore is that, yes, it is ok to ride two abreast, however in
doing so they must not obstruct vehicle traffic. This means that if you are two abreast and the
traffic behind cannot overtake because of you, the cops can take action if an irrate motorist
hasn't already.

Which law is that? The relevant regulation on obstruction in Victoria is:

125. Unreasonably obstructing drivers or pedestrians
(126) A driver must not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or a pedestrian. Penalty: 2
penalty units. Note Driver includes a person in control of a vehicle--see the definition of
drive in the dictionary.
(127) For this rule, a driver does not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or a
pedestrian only because--
(a) the driver is stopped in traffic; or
(b) the driver is driving more slowly than other vehicles (unless the driver is driving abnormally
slowly in the circumstances). Example of a driver driving abnormally slowly A driver driving
at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour on a length of road to which a speed-limit of 80
kilometres per hour applies when there is no reason for the driver to drive at that speed on
the length of road.

-- Shane

Brian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

The rule that everyone seems to ignore is that, yes, it is ok to ride two abreast, however in
doing so they must not obstruct vehicle traffic. This means that if you are two abreast and the
traffic behind cannot overtake because of you, the cops can take action if an irrate motorist
hasn't already.

WTF ? I'm not aware of this rule. Can you give more info ?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Brian
[B]The rule that everyone seems to ignore is that, yes, it is ok to ride two abreast, however in
doing so they must not obstruct vehicle traffic. This means that if you are two abreast and the
traffic behind cannot overtake because of you, the cops can take action if an irrate motorist
hasn't already.

Quoted message said:

[/B]

Spider1977 said:

I find if you stick to the left, in some situations, vehicles will try to pass when there is not
enough room to do so safely. Best to ride in the middle of the lane and remove the temptation to
squeeze past. Of course, I always yield to the vehicles when the situation becomes safe and also
indicate quite clearly when there is a clear road ahead and it is safe for them to pass.

Yep. I do exactly that on some of the mickey-mouse roundabouts where I live. When it's safe, move
into the middle of the lane as I approach the roundabout to stop anyone trying anything silly. Then,
on the exit, stay as far left as I can. I'll take the entry, and the cars can have the exit.

For a comprehensive list of things you can and can't do on a bicycle go to the following link, which takes you to the Tasmanian Traffic Act. This act conforms with the national road rules. I think these Acts are identical in each State.

http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/view/+131+1999+AT@EN+2004012900

In aus.bicycle on Thu, 29 Jan 2004 06:51:01 GMT

Spider1977 said:

You can ride your bike in the middle of the lane and obstruct traffic if you consider it is unsafe
to ride "as close to the left as practicable" which is the rule for all vehicles, not just
bicycles. As one other

You aren't allowed to ride widely separated, if there's 2 of you, you can only be 1.5m apart. That's
about the only restriction.

from the Australian Road Rules:

151 Riding a motor bike or bicycle alongside more than 1 other rider

(1) The rider of a motor bike or bicycle must not ride on a road that is not a multi-lane road
alongside more than 1 other rider, unless subrule (3) applies to the rider. Offence provision.
Note Bicycle, motor bike and multi-lane road are defined in the dictionary, and rider is defined
in rule 17.

(2) The rider of a motor bike or bicycle must not ride in a marked lane alongside more than 1 other
rider in the marked lane, unless subrule (3) applies to the rider. Offence provision. Note
Marked lane is defined in the dictionary.

(3) The rider of a motor bike or bicycle may ride alongside more than 1 other rider if the rider is:
(a) overtaking the other riders; or
(b) permitted to do so under another law of this jurisdiction. Note Overtake is defined in the
dictionary.

(4) If the rider of a motor bike or bicycle is riding on a road that is not a multi-lane road
alongside another rider, or in a marked lane alongside another rider in the marked lane, the
rider must ride not over 1.5 metres from the other rider. Offence provision.

(5) In this rule: road does not include a road-related area, but includes a bicycle path, shared
path and any shoulder of the road. Note Bicycle path is defined in rule 239, road-related area
is defined in rule 13, shared path is defined in rule 242, and shoulder is defined in rule 12.`

Thanks Brian,

I [censored] myself reading that! What the hell are they going to do about peak hour traffic? Whoever
gets the job of writing tickets will get RSI, ALL the cars are obstructing traffic 😉.

I am assuming that "obstructing vehicle traffic" would apply to all vehicles, bicycles thru to
trucks. I would like to see the section reference for that one.

Kevin

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The rule that everyone seems to ignore is that, yes, it is ok to ride two abreast, however in
doing so they must not obstruct vehicle traffic. This means that if you are two abreast and the
traffic behind cannot overtake because of you, the cops can take action if an irrate motorist
hasn't already.

BG

Sting said:

Hi Jason,

Here in Victoria, and I expect the rest of Australia, it is perfectly

legal

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to ride 2 abreast on public roads as follows;

Under the road rules, a cyclist must not ride alongside more than one

other

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rider, unless:

a. the rider is overtaking other cyclists who may be cycling beside

each

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

other; or,
b. the rider is taking part in an on-road cycling event that has been approved by the Chief
Commissioner of Police.

If a cyclist is riding alongside another cyclist, the cyclist must not

ride

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

more than 1.5 metres from the other cyclist.

<vicroads.vic.gov.au1A9365777EC0EB45CA2Open ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

56B5F0003CDCC?OpenDocument&Area=[Cyclists]>

Sting>

"Jason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

Am wondering if it's legal to ride 2 abreast on single lane roads? Eg. 2 bikes side by side.
Thanks.

Cheers, Jason