Safe Cycling
Under NSW Road Rules, bicycles are considered to be a vehicle and may be ridden on the road unless prohibited, eg on some stretches of motorway.
Even if you are an experienced rider, when riding on the road you are exposed and vulnerable and at risk of serious injury or death if involved in a crash.
Riding defensively and scanning the road can improve your safety. Learning how to share the road safely could save you your life.
Bicycles are permitted in bus lanes. Children under 12 years of age and an accompanying adult are allowed to legally ride on the footpath. Shared paths and multi-use trails may be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.
- Always obey the road rules, including traffic lights, stop signs and give way signs.
- Ride in a predictable manner that does not require other road users to react suddenly to your movements.
- Give hand signals when changing lanes or turning left or right.
- Plan your route using quieter streets, bicycle paths or shared paths, wherever possible.
- Maintain control of your bike at all times. It is an offence to ride with both hands off the handlebars, feet off the pedals or to carry anything which prevents you from having control.
- Always wear an approved bicycle helmet, properly fitted and fastened to your head.
- Be seen. Wear comfortable, bright or light coloured clothing with reflective fabric or strips. If you don’t have any reflective gear, wear a plain white top so you’re more visible to drivers and pedestrians.
- Wear footwear that covers your toes and heels to help protect your feet. Remember that smooth soles can slip on the pedals, especially if it’s wet.
- Cycling gloves will help to protect your hands, and the padding reduces jarring from rough paths or roads. Full finger gloves will help keep your fingers warm in winter. Make sure you can still operate your brakes, gears and bell with your gloves on.
- Wearing sunglasses during the day and clear or yellow glasses at night will help protect your eyes from dust, grit and flying insects.
- Have a working horn or bell to help sound a warning to other cyclists or pedestrians, and at least one working brake.
- For night riding, fog or in other hazardous conditions, make sure you have
a steady or flashing white light on the front of the bike that is visible for at least 200 metres. - A steady or flashing red light on the rear of the bike that is visible for at least 200 metres.
- A red reflector on the rear of the bike that is visible for at least 50 metres when illuminated by a vehicle’s headlight on low beam.
- Always carry a pump, tyre levers, spare tube, tube patch kits, water bottle, mobile phone and money.
- Check your tyre condition and pressure, quick release levers and brakes regularly.
- Clean the drive chain on your bike regularly and then apply lubricant. Wipe off the excess as it attracts dirt.
- If you don't feel confident working on your bike, take it to a good bicycle shop for servicing.
In summer especially, remember to drink plenty of water.
For more about Warringah Council's road safety education projects you can contact the Road Safety Officer. For all other inquiries please go to the Contact Us page.
