Bicycle Network Victoria: Ride On magazine

Bikes and undertaking

25 April 08

Regarding the letter headed “Sharing Swanston St” in Ride on April–May 2008 about cyclists ‘undertaking’ left turning vehicles.

If a cyclist is in a proper bike or car lane at the extreme left of a road, surely the cyclist has the right to proceeed straight ahead and the left-turning vehicle on his/her right should give way?

Could somebody clarify this please?

Judy Watson

Brunswick VIC

Victorian road rule 141 states

(1) A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not overtake a vehicle to the left of the vehicle…

(2) The rider of a bicycle must not ride past, or overtake, to the left of a vehicle that is turning left and is giving a left change of direction signal. Ed

Footpath query

6 April 08

I regularly ride with my eight-year-old son on the footpath. We are very careful of pedestrians and avoid shopping strips whenever possible. We travel at walking speed around pedestrians. I am concerned about the abuse we get from pedestrians, and being told we are breaking the law, and being yelled at to get off the footpath. I thought I was allowed to accompany my son on the footpath until he was 12.

Trace Balla

Elwood VIC

You are in the right, Trace. You can accompany your son on the footpath until he is 12. Only then must you ride on the road instead. Ed