Sharing our roads

When sharing the road in Darebin, be aware of road rules and be courteous to other road users.

How do you get around Darebin? Chances are you use a car for some trips, ride a bike for others, catch public transport in some cases, or walk if it’s close enough. We all need to share the road and it’s as much about courtesy as it is about road rules. Here are some road rules to be aware of, plus tips to make things easier.

When driving

• You need to give bike riders at least one metre clearance on roads with speed limits up to 60km/h, and at least 1.5 metres if you're travelling over 60km/h.*
• Drivers and passengers are required to look carefully for bike riders before opening car doors* – check your mirror and turn your head to look over your shoulder.
• There are only three reasons to enter a bike lane:
  1. when passing a vehicle turning right*
  2. when entering or leaving a side street, another traffic lane or parking space*
  3. when signage permits stopping or parking in the bike lane.*
• If you have to enter a bike lane for one of the reasons above, usual lane-changing rules apply. You need to give way to any bicycles using the lane before you move into it. You must not travel in the bike lane for more than 50 metres.*
• Never stop in a bicycle box painted on the road at the front of an intersection.*
• Give way to people entering and exiting trams. When the tram doors on your side of the road open and there is no safety zone, you must wait at the rear of the tram until the doors close and the road is free of people crossing.*
• When turning into a road left or right, you must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.*
• If a truck is turning left it may need to turn from the inside lane to give it enough space to turn. Stay back and leave enough room for it to turn.

When riding

• You’re a legal road vehicle which means you have the same rights and responsibilities as when you’re driving a car. There are a few exceptions - see the safety and road rules section on the VicRoads website*
• Ride outside the door zone (leave a space between you and a parked vehicle’s doors) when passing parked cars in case a driver or passenger causes a hazard by opening their door.
• When travelling through a single-lane roundabout, ride in the middle of the lane so that you are less likely to be cut off.
• You must have a white light on the front of your bike and a red light on the rear when riding in low-light conditions, plus a red rear reflector.*
• If a right-hand turn from the centre of the road leaves you feeling exposed, try a hook turn instead. This is legal for bike riders at all intersections unless signed otherwise.
• Make sure your bike has a bell, horn or similar warning device in working order.*
• Pass other riders on the right and use your bell to give plenty of warning.
• Whether you’re driving a car or on a bike, you still need to stop and allow passengers to alight from trams.*
• When turning into a road left or right, you must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.*
• When a truck is turning left it may need to turn from the inside lane to give it enough space to turn. Stay back and wait for it to turn.

* means this is part of the Victorian Road Safety Road Rules 2017