Bicycle Network: Behaviour

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users. Whatever vehicle you drive, the golden rule is to treat other road users with respect and courtesy. All road users should drive or ride safely and obey the traffic rules at all times. This includes keeping as far left as practicable, stopping at red lights, etc.

For a quick summary of rules that relate specifically to cyclists, please see the VicRoads website.

Bicycle Network Victoria also works to change the rules and laws to make things safer for everyone, including cyclists.

Respect

Cyclists must respect the rights of other road users if we are to expect the same courtesy in return. The small minority of irresponsible cyclists who disobey road rules harm the reputation of the majority of cyclists who do the right thing.

Fines for cyclists

Every offence punishable by fine in the Road Safety Road Rules 2009 is allocated a certain number of penalty units in the legislation as opposed to an amount of money. Every year the Victorian Treasurer declares the value of a penalty unit for the upcoming financial year. This procedure is to allow for inflation.

Therefore an offence that has a maximum of 3 penalty units equates to a maximum fine of $350.46 for the 2009-2010 financial year. Whereas for the 2010-2011 financial year, an offence that has a maximum of 3 penalty units equates to a maximum fine of $358.35.

Source: Victorian Goverment Gazette No. S132 (15 May 2009) and Victorian Government Gazette No. G10 (11 March 2010)

If you have recieved a traffic infringement notice (TIN) that you would like to challenge, please see the following web page.

If you would like more information in regards to a specific road rule, please send a message and we can find the relevant rule for you.

Police behaviour

Please see the following web page for how to make a complaint against Victoria Police. If you are not happy with the response you receive after lodging your complaint, please send us a message.