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Safety Check
Before you get on a bike, you need to check:
- Braking - brakes are not worn and able to lock the wheel completely
- Lighting and visibility - ensure head/tail lights are sufficiently bright
- Steering - it shouldn't be too tight or too loose
- Stability - check the tightness of the nuts and bolts
- Spokes - check for correct spokes tension
Cycling in the wet
- Ride at a slower speed
- Apply brakes gradually
- Turn on your lights; wear bright rain jacket and reflectors to increase
your visibility
- Avoid puddles
Cycling at night
- Queensland road rules require you have a white head light, a red tail light
and a red rear reflector.
- Wear relative clothing to increase your visibility
Cycling in traffic
Be aware of some behaviour of other road users:
- A motorist recently parked may be about to open a door or pull out again
- A car slowing near you may be about to turn
- Long and wide vehicles need more space to turn
- A driver who has one unexpected manoeuvre may do another
Be ready for:
- Drivers turning in front of you
- Dangers with merging traffic
- Erratic and unexpected behaviour by other road users
Cycling in sun and heat
- Wear protective clothing and cover your skin with sunscreen
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid riding between 10am and 3pm
- Rest in a shady spot with your helmet off or a few minutes
See Cycling
by Qld Transport
Magpies
In spring, beware of attacks by magpies. The magpies nesting season in Queensland
is from early August to late November and during this time magpies will defend
their territory and nests. Most of them defend against real predators like cats
and larger birds but some of them also attack cyclists and pedestrians.
Magpies tend to swoop from behind, and usually utter a specific and recognisable
squawk as they attack. Birds usually aim their attack at your head, but learn not to
attack helmets and do a side swoop attacking ears, cheeks and even eyes.
What to do:
- In an actually attack, dismount to avoid danger from traffic or a fall
- more people are hurt falling form their bike during a magpie attack than
by the bird itself.
- Once you have dismounted, look the bird in the eyes - magpies usually won't
attack when you are watching them.
- Wave your arm above your head, confusing the magpie or shout to frighten
it.
- Setting an orange bike flag on a long stick may confuse a magpie and avoid being
attacked.
Penalties
Cyclists over 16 years may be issued with a $30 penalty for:
- Not wearing a securely fitted helmet of an approved design.
- Failing to give way to a pedestrian on a crossing
- Failing to keep left
- Failing to give way
- Riding more than two abreast
- Making improper turns
- Failing to show sufficient light at night
- Failing to give proper signals
- Misuse of bicycle lane
- Doubling other passengers
- Failing to stop at a level crossing
- Removing both hands from the handlebars while riding
- Allowing yourself to betowed by another vehicle
- Disobeying freeway signs
- Riding on a footpath in a manner dangerous to pedestrians
Cyclists over 16 years may be issued with a $50 penalty for:
- Disobeying police direction
- Disobeying traffic control signal
- Disobeying official traffic signs
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