A Metre Matters

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Most states support this rule – three have legislated, and two are trialing legislation. Only Victoria and NT do not support this concept.

The Greens introduced the Metre Matters Bill into Victorian Parliament in 2015.
The Bill was referred to the Economic & Infrastructure Committee which handed down its report in September 2016, supporting the introducing of minimum passing distance laws.

In March 2017 the Andrews Government announced it would oppose the legislation and it was defeated in the Victorian lower house!

However there is a chance to get the Metre Matters law through parliament’s upper house, and refer it back to the lower house.  But pressure needs to be exerted on the Government to rethink it’s opposition.

Adopted and Trial Laws in other states for motorists passing bicycle riders.

Motorists must stay wider of bicycle riders by giving a minimum of:

  • 1m when passing a bicycle rider in a 60km/h or less speed zone (between 50 and 70km/h in WA)
    or
  • 5m where the speed limit is over 60km/h. (2m when greater than 70km/h in NT and WA)

Passing a bicycle rider means that you (as a motorist) and the bicycle rider are traveling in the same direction. This includes when you are traveling side-by-side in separate lanes on a multi-lane road. It does not apply if you are traveling in opposite directions.

The passing distance is measured from:

  • The rightmost part of the bicycle, or the person on the bicycle
    to
  • The leftmost part of the vehicle, or something sticking out from the vehicle (e.g. a side mirror).

The minimum passing distance applies even if the bicycle rider is riding around an obstacle.

These road rules apply to all motor vehicles—including cars, motorcycles, heavy vehicles and public transport vehicles.

Crossing lines to pass a bicycle rider

Except in SA and Vic, To pass a bicycle rider—as long as it is safe to do so—you are allowed to:

  • drive over centre lines (including double unbroken centre lines) on a 2-way road
  • straddle or cross a lane line (including a continuous lane line) on a multi-lane road
  • drive on a painted island.

The announcement of WA’s trial can be read by clicking here.

WATAG recommendation

WATAG encourages the state government to implement the rule on the basis that combined with an education program,  implementation of the rule would achieve greater awareness, would potentially lead to safety benefits for cyclists, and would help bring about a uniform national approach.

If you’d like to have your say, you can sign a petition here.

For more information refer to: