Hi Guys,
After an altercation the other day with a tintop with regards to the legality of where I was riding within the left hand lane I've decided to look into the laws of cycling further.
The question realates to whether a cyclist is entitled to a whole lane, or whether the tintop who threated to 'beat the *&^# out of me' as he held the chest of my jersey in his fist is correct in stating that 'you have to ride in the *&^#ing gutter' even on a three lane roadway with no cars outside of peak hour traffic.
So the question is "Where on the road am I legally allowed to ride?"
I've read up the road rule listed on the Vicroads website with regards to cyclists see: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrne5nav.nsf/v/4F1006297B101689CA25713F007D25A4/$file/part%5F15.pdf
Heres the summary:
"Most rules in the Road Rules apply to bicycle riders in the same way as they apply to drivers—see rule 19.
There are some other rules that are for bicycle riders only, or that have exceptions for bicycle riders. These include—
• optional hook turn by bicycle riders—rule 35
• bicycle riders making a hook turn contrary to a no hook turn by bicycles
sign—rule 36
• bicycle riders excepted from giving stop signals—rule 52
• exception for bicycle riders riding in emergency stopping lanes—rule 95
• bicycle riders entering and leaving roundabouts—rules 111 and 119
• bicycle riders overtaking on the left—rule 141
• riding alongside other riders—rule 151
• bicycle lanes—rule 153
• parking at a bicycle rail or in a bicycle rack—rule 166
• stopping on footpaths—rule 197
• stopping on a road with a bicycle parking sign—rule 201"
After reading the document I see no laws detailing that a cyclist must 'keep to the left of their lane' to allow cars to pass, to do so is a matter of courteousy to allow vehicles to pass you in the lane in which you are travelling but not a legal requirement.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Am I correct or is have I missed something in my research?
I'd prefer not to experience another blatant incident of road rage, but if it does arise I'd prefer to know 100% that I am in the right.
Cheers
Ant
After an altercation the other day with a tintop with regards to the legality of where I was riding within the left hand lane I've decided to look into the laws of cycling further.
The question realates to whether a cyclist is entitled to a whole lane, or whether the tintop who threated to 'beat the *&^# out of me' as he held the chest of my jersey in his fist is correct in stating that 'you have to ride in the *&^#ing gutter' even on a three lane roadway with no cars outside of peak hour traffic.
So the question is "Where on the road am I legally allowed to ride?"
I've read up the road rule listed on the Vicroads website with regards to cyclists see: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrne5nav.nsf/v/4F1006297B101689CA25713F007D25A4/$file/part%5F15.pdf
Heres the summary:
"Most rules in the Road Rules apply to bicycle riders in the same way as they apply to drivers—see rule 19.
There are some other rules that are for bicycle riders only, or that have exceptions for bicycle riders. These include—
• optional hook turn by bicycle riders—rule 35
• bicycle riders making a hook turn contrary to a no hook turn by bicycles
sign—rule 36
• bicycle riders excepted from giving stop signals—rule 52
• exception for bicycle riders riding in emergency stopping lanes—rule 95
• bicycle riders entering and leaving roundabouts—rules 111 and 119
• bicycle riders overtaking on the left—rule 141
• riding alongside other riders—rule 151
• bicycle lanes—rule 153
• parking at a bicycle rail or in a bicycle rack—rule 166
• stopping on footpaths—rule 197
• stopping on a road with a bicycle parking sign—rule 201"
After reading the document I see no laws detailing that a cyclist must 'keep to the left of their lane' to allow cars to pass, to do so is a matter of courteousy to allow vehicles to pass you in the lane in which you are travelling but not a legal requirement.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Am I correct or is have I missed something in my research?
I'd prefer not to experience another blatant incident of road rage, but if it does arise I'd prefer to know 100% that I am in the right.
Cheers
Ant
