Bike law handbook: 8 bike road rules you might not know about

A new handbook about road rules involving cyclists has been launched.

The Victoria Law Foundation produced the Bike Law Handbook with the aim of reducing confusion for both motorists and cyclists.

Joh Kirby, Executive Director of the Victorian Law Foundation, said knowing the rules minimises risk on the road.

‘I think a lot of the conflict on the roads is people don’t understand the rules,’ she told Tom Elliott. ‘And they’re having fights over the minute detail with no one knowing what is actually the right rule.’

Here are a few rules you may not have known about:

• Cyclists can make a hook turn at any intersection
   
• On a roundabout, cyclists must give way to cars turning left 
   
• ‘Dinking’ a friend is prohibited
   
• If there is a bike lane, cyclists must use it 
   
• Cyclists can only ride on a footpath if they are under 12 years of age, riding with someone under 12, or have a disability
   
• When catching a train, bikes are not allowed in the first door of the front carriage
   
• A cyclist must ride with at least one hand on the handlebars at all times
   
• It is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast if safe to do so