Car accidents involving cyclists

Road rules for cyclists

A bike is considered a vehicle and cyclists must follow the same NSW Road Rules as drivers of other ​vehicles. 

There are also Road Rules that only apply to cyclists.

Cyclists: 

• ​must use a bike lane if one is available, unless there is a good reason not to (for example, if the bike lane is blocked​​)
• can take up a full lane when riding on the road
• must give way to other vehicles leaving the roundabout, at roundabouts with two or more lanes
• can overtake to the left except where a car is turning left
• must not ride across a road or crossing
• must not ride on a road marked with a "No bikes" sign or road marking
• must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver or pedestrian
• must not hold onto another vehicle that is moving.

If a bike is involved in an accident with a car, both the rider and the driver are required to stop and exchange details. Where a bike rider or driver has not stopped to exchange details after an accident, you can report the accident to the police, providing a description of the bike and the rider, or the car and the driver.

Road rules for drivers encountering cyclists

All drivers of a motor vehicle (including motorcyclists) must:

• ​​leave at least one metre between the motor vehicle and a bike when passing a cyclist on a road with a speed limit of 60km/h and below
• leave at least one and a half metres between the vehicle and a bike when passing a cyclist on a road with a speed limit above 60km/h.

Claiming against a cyclist

Not many bike riders are insured for the damage they cause to other people's cars or property.

If you have an accident with them and they are at fault, you can still claim for your damage from the bike rider.

For more information, see Making a claim.

Before making a claim, you should consider whether they are able to pay.