9.1 Pedestrians, Cyclists, Crossings and Shared Zones

Pedestrians, Cyclists, Crossings and Shared Zones

Motorcycles are vulnerable beside cars, but they can seriously injure a pedestrian, cyclist or personal mobility-device rider. Queensland’s give-way and passing rules require the motorcyclist to protect the road user with less physical protection.

Turning and driveways

When turning into or entering a road, give way to pedestrians, bicycle riders and personal mobility-device riders who are on or entering that road. The duty applies at signalised intersections, unsignalised intersections, slip lanes and driveways. A green light does not remove it.

Before a left turn, check the left mirror and blind spot for a cyclist travelling straight. Do not overtake a cyclist and immediately turn across their path—the “left hook.” Slow and turn behind when necessary. When crossing a footpath to enter or leave property, give way to its users in both directions.

Marked and children’s crossings

Approach a marked foot crossing at a speed that permits a stop. Give way to a pedestrian, cyclist or personal mobility-device rider on or entering as the applicable crossing rule requires. A vehicle stopped or slowing at a crossing may hide a child or pedestrian; do not overtake it into the unseen space.

At a children’s crossing, obey the crossing flags, stop lines, signs and a school crossing supervisor’s displayed stop sign. Remain stopped until the control no longer requires stopping and crossing users are clear of the path. Children can reverse direction or emerge from behind buses, so continue scanning after the formal crossing is clear.

At signalised crossings, obey the traffic signal and give way when a flashing-yellow phase or turning movement requires it. Do not enter if the crossing or road beyond is blocked.

Shared zones

In a shared zone, vehicles and pedestrians use the same space. Obey the speed shown on the shared-zone sign—commonly 10 km/h—and give way to pedestrians. Low speed requires clutch and rear-brake control, but the rider should stop rather than crowd people. “Give way” is the legal term; no road user has permission to act without care.

Minimum passing distance

When a motor vehicle passes a bicycle or personal mobility-device rider travelling in the same direction, it must leave at least:

• 1 metre where the speed limit is 60 km/h or less; or
• 1.5 metres where the speed limit is more than 60 km/h.

The measurement is between the rightmost part of the bicycle, device, rider, passenger or trailer and the leftmost part of the motorcycle or anything projecting from it. The rule applies even when the cyclist or device is in a separate lane or bicycle lane. It does not apply to road users travelling in opposite directions, although a safe buffer is still necessary.

If two cyclists or device riders are side by side, measure from the one farthest to the right.

Line-crossing exception

To create the required space, and only when safe, a motorcyclist may:

• cross centre lines, including double continuous centre lines, on a two-way road;
• straddle or cross a lane line, including a continuous lane line, on a multi-lane road; or
• drive on a painted island.

This does not create priority over oncoming traffic. If sight or traffic does not allow a safe pass, wait behind with adequate crash-avoidance space. Give a right signal for long enough to warn others before moving out and a left signal when returning, even if the position change does not cross a line.

Practical observation

Scan bus stops, parked vehicles, schools, shops and paths. A person may move unpredictably, but that does not cancel the rider’s give-way duty. Slow where view is blocked and create a buffer without moving toward another hazard.

For the test, distinguish “give way” from “has right-of-way,” the same-direction passing rule from oncoming traffic, and a lawful line-crossing exception from a guarantee that a pass is safe.

Other vulnerable-road-user clues

Give extra space to children, older pedestrians, people using mobility aids and anyone whose attention or hearing may be limited. Watch for a bicycle swerving around a drain, door or pothole. Near buses and parked vehicles, reduce speed because a person can appear from concealment. Do not use engine noise as a substitute for detection; assume the person has not heard the motorcycle.

When a cyclist is ahead near an intersection, delay the pass if the motorcycle would immediately turn, stop or merge in front. The minimum lateral number is only one part of a safe overtake; sufficient forward clearance and a smooth return are also required.