Bike law: a bicycle rider’s guide to road rules in Victoria

About this booklet

This booklet explains road rules for bicycle riders in Victoria. It has information about how to ride safely and responsibly and covers:

• road rules
• riding in traffic
• riding with children
• accidents, fines and insurance
• safety tips.

Bike law was originally produced by Victoria Law Foundation in collaboration with VicRoads, Bicycle Network, Cycling Victoria, City of Melbourne, City of Yarra and Amy Gillett Foundation. Victoria Legal Aid gratefully acknowledge Victoria Law Foundation for establishing and maintaining this publication from 2015 until its second edition. Bike law was transferred to Victoria Legal Aid in 2018.

Changes to the law

There are changes to rules about riding on foothpaths in Victoria. You can ride on a footpath if you:

• are a child under 13
• are 13 or over and riding with a child who is under 13
• are 18 or over and riding with a young child in a child seat attached to your bicycle or you have a a child pedalling on a bike attachment connected to your bicycle
• have a medical certificate that says you have a disability that makes it difficult to ride on the road. You must follow the conditions on your medical certificate and carry a copy with you to show to police or an authorised person if asked
• are 13 or over and riding with someone who has a medical certificate that says they have a disability that makes it difficult to ride on the road.