Cycling in Australia

File:Cycling goldminer 1895.jpg

Bicycles arrived in Australia in 1860s, and the sport was quickly adopted with touring and racing clubs forming.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/freewheeling/stories/history|title=National Museum of Australia – History|first=Acton Peninsula|last=corporateName=National Museum of Australia; address=Lawson Crescent|publisher=National Museum of Australia|access-date=4 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044900/https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/freewheeling/stories/history|url-status=dead}}

By the 1890s cycling was accessible to the middle class, and long-distance cycle travelling was a fact of life for many sheep shearers and other agricultural labourers with migratory work.{{Cite web | url=https://www.phansw.org.au/on-your-bike-the-history-of-cycling-in-sydney/ | title=On your bike: The history of cycling in Sydney – PHA NSW & ACT| date=7 May 2018}} The bicycle and swag travelled much of Australia on dusty dirt tracks, long before the automobile made its appearance. In the main, however, long-distance cycling was a sport of endurance or was done out of necessity.

At the same time, racing became quite popular with the Austral Wheel Race beginning in 1887, and leading to the development of the Malvern Star cycling brand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2016/05/history-of-cycling-in-australia/|title=History of cycling in Australia|date=24 May 2016|website=Australian Geographic}} The first Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic, a long-distance event, was held in October 1895, eight years before the first Tour de France.

Between 1990 and 1992 Australia become the first country to make wearing helmets compulsory, after a number of studies indicated that they reduced head injuries.Curnow, W. J. "Bicycle Helmets: A Scientific Evaluation" in {{cite book|last=Anton De Smet|title=Transportation Accident Analysis and Prevention|year=2008|publisher=Nova Science Publishers|location=Commack, N.Y|isbn=978-1-60456-288-0|url=http://www.cyclehelmets.org/papers/p787.pdf}} After their introduction, the overall number of riders decreased, mostly due to a decline in children riding to school. This has not conclusively shown to be due to mandatory helmet laws and may have followed pre-existing trends dating from the 1970s.{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/why-arent-more-kids-cycling-to-school-3531|title=Why aren't more kids cycling to school?|first=Jan|last=Garrard|website=The Conversation|date=17 October 2011 }}http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:50591/bina856ed10-ec7b-48ad-aac8-a69c35d75384?view=true {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}{{cite journal|doi=10.1136/bmj.332.7543.722-a|pmid=16565131|pmc=1410838|title=No clear evidence from countries that have enforced the wearing of helmets|journal=BMJ|volume=332|issue=7543|pages=722.2–725|year=2006|last1=Robinson|first1=D. L.}}

File:Cycling Participation 2015.jpgCyclists in every state are required to follow normal road rules, including using traffic lights correctly and observing give way and stop signs while riding on the road.

Cyclists in every state must wear helmets while in motion. In all states, cyclists must ride as close as practicable to the left side of the road when on a single lane road, however, cyclists may use any lane and does not have to keep to the left on a multi-lane road. All states require only one passenger per bicycle unless the bicycle is designed otherwise.

Bike users in Western Australia and Tasmania must use both hand signals, while in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory cyclists must signal when turning right but it's not compulsory when turning left.

Cyclist must have at least one hand on handle bars in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.

Cyclist may ride on standard footpaths in Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory. In Victoria cyclists can only ride on a footpath if they're under the age of 13 or supervising a child under 13, or have a disability which restrains them from being able to ride on the road.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/bicycles|title = Bicycle road rules|date = 28 July 2021}} In New South Wales cyclists can only ride on a footpath if they're under the age of 16 or supervising a child under 16. In Queensland cyclists can ride on any path as long as there isn't a sign stating otherwise.

Cyclists may ride in groups or bunches in all Australia States and territories, riding two abreast riders must be no more than 1.5 meters apart.{{Cite web|url=http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_reg/rtrr2017382/s151.html|title=ROAD TRANSPORT (ROAD RULES) REGULATION 2017 – REG 151 Riding motorbike or bicycle alongside more than 1 other rider}}

Cyclists across Australia must follow the same rules as motor vehicle drivers in regards to using mobile phones and consuming alcohol.

Cyclist also need to use a bike light when riding at night in Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland.{{Cite web|url=https://rsc.wa.gov.au/Topics/Cycling|title=Cycling in WA|date=5 November 2015|website=Cycling in WA|publisher=Government of Western Australia|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408175143/https://rsc.wa.gov.au/Topics/Cycling|archive-date=8 April 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/bicyclists/|title=Centre for Road Safety|date=21 December 2015|website=Staying Safe|publisher=Transport for NSW|access-date=17 May 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rsac.tas.gov.au/road-safety/distance-matters/|title=Road Safety Advisory Council|date=20 October 2015|website=Bike riders|publisher=The Department of State Growth|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604212936/http://www.rsac.tas.gov.au/road-safety/distance-matters/|archive-date=4 June 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transport-travel-and-motoring/cycling/cyclist-road-rules-and-safety|title=Cyclist road rules and safety|date=2016|website=Cyclist road rules and safety|publisher=The Government of South Australia|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611193641/http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transport-travel-and-motoring/cycling/cyclist-road-rules-and-safety|archive-date=11 June 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tams.act.gov.au/roads-transport/cycling/cycling_information/road_rules|title=Territory and Municipal Services|date=17 March 2016|website=Road Rules|publisher=ACT Government|access-date=17 May 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bicyclent.org.au/cycling-in-the-nt/nt-road-rules/|title=BicycleNT|website=NT road rules|publisher=BicycleNT|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509230923/http://www.bicyclent.org.au/cycling-in-the-nt/nt-road-rules/|archive-date=9 May 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/publication/bike-law|title=Victoria Law Foundation|date=11 March 2016|website=Bike Law|publisher=Monkii|access-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506114835/http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/publication/bike-law|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=dead}}

{{category see also|Cycleways in Australia}}

Many Australians ride a bike for recreation or commuting.

In 2017, 1.4% of commuters cycled to work of which 75% were male. Most are concentrated in the flatter parts of major cities, close to the central business district.{{Cite web|url=https://myaccount.news.com.au/sites/theaustralian/subscribe.html?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&mode=premium&dest=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/census-2016-riding-a-bike-to-work-favoured-in-melbourne-sydney-cbds/news-story/9db282cbc9fdd62f84a12acd6076d332?nk=023b594106f643957b6c903d0df24360-1551685526&memtype=anonymous&nk=d983a4da8e8d281be6b7b0b325980b77-1551687273|title=Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps|website=myaccount.news.com.au}}

In 2023, 15% of Australians ride a bike at least weekly, 24% at least monthly and 37% at least yearly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cwanz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NWCPS_2023_report_v1.3.pdf|title=National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey|publisher=Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand}}

The National Cycling Strategy was tasked with doubling the number of people cycling from 2011 to 2016, which was not achieved. Demographic changes, and decreasing numbers of riders within capital cities accounted for most of the decrease.{{cite web|url=https://www.cycle-helmets.com/ncp-2017.pdf |title=National Cycling Participation Survey 2017 |publisher=National Cycling Strategy 2011-2016}} Some of the decrease within NSW has been blamed on increased cycling fines implemented in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://bicyclensw.org.au/in-response-to-a-year-of-increased-cycling-fines/|title=In response to a year of increased cycling fines | Bicycle NSW|date=7 August 2017}}

The NCS has found that cycling was the most common in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory during 2015. Victoria and Queensland have decreased in participation between 2011 and 2015.

Doubling the number of bike users has the potential{{vague|date=January 2024}} to increase the safety for all riders by helping to make drivers more aware of bicycles on the road,{{dubious|date=January 2024}} and adding pressure to those who already cycle to obey the road rules.{{dubious|date=January 2024}} More bike users also has an economic benefit which is estimated in Australia to be $1.43 per kilometre for every person cycled.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

{{category see also|Australian cyclists|Cycle racing in Australia}}

Australia hosts the Tour Down Under in January of every year; it is the first UCI World Tour event on the annual cycling calendar, and the only UCI World Tour in the southern hemisphere. Australians place strongly in cycling at the Olympic Games, UCI World Championships and other international events.

Australia has hosted the UCI Road World Championships, UCI Track Cycling World Championships and UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Most state capitals have an indoor velodrome.

In Australia, police report road fatalities to the State and Territory road safety authorities. [https://www.bitre.gov.au/ The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE)] then catalogues this data in the [https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/australian-road-deaths-database Australian Road Deaths Database (ARDD)].{{Cite web |date=March 2021 |title=Bike rider fatality report 2001–2020 |url=https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bicycle-Network-Bike-rider-fatality-report_2020.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809125551/https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bicycle-Network-Bike-rider-fatality-report_2020.pdf |archive-date=9 August 2022 |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=Bicycle Network}}

=== List of bicycle fatalities in Australia ===

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On 2 February 2023, Angus Collins (22 year old) was killed by a truck driver while cycling his bike. The incident occurred around 12:30pm at the corner of Footscray Road and Dock Link Road in Melbourne. The bike lane crosses an intersection where the bike lane is partially obscured by a 3 metre wide pillar.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-06 |title=Melbourne intersection where cyclist died 'a recipe for disaster' as charity seeks ban on left turns |language=en-AU |publisher= ABC News|location=Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-07/cyclist-death-prompts-calls-changes-west-melbourne-intersection/101937556 |access-date=2023-02-09}}

The bicycle advocacy organisation BikeWest said that it was "likely" the cyclist and the truck driver had simultaneous green lights.{{Cite web |last=Timms |first=Hugo |title=Angus Collins: Brunswick Cycling Club star killed on Footscray Rd, West Melbourne |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/angus-collins-brunswick-cycling-club-star-killed-on-footscray-rd-west-melbourne/news-story/78c578cc22651152a38a783e1b96b1ae |publisher=News.com.au}} The Age newspaper reported that regular users of the road said the green lights are always simultaneous.{{Cite web |last=Waters |first=Cara |date=2023-02-06 |title=More cyclists could die at 'horrendous' intersection if nothing is changed, experts warn |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/more-cyclists-could-die-at-horrendous-intersection-if-nothing-is-changed-experts-warn-20230206-p5ci4v.html |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=The Age|location=Melbourne |language=en}}

The transport planning document VicRoads Guidance on Treating Pedestrian and Turning Vehicle Conflicts at Signalised Intersections already states that a "Fully Controlled" left turn is "appropriate" for a bicycle priority route. It states potential locations are "at intersections with a high number of turning heavy vehicles." A possible reason it wasn't implemented is the listed "consideration": "Where the left turn is fully controlled, the potential negative perception from drivers while waiting to turn at times when there are no pedestrians crossing."{{Cite web |title=TEM Vol 3 Part 217 VicRoads Guidance on Treating Pedestrian and Turning Vehicle Conflicts at Signalised Intersections |url=https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media/files/technical-documents-new/traffic-engineering-manual-v3/tem-vol-3-part-217--vicroads-guidance-on-treating-pedestrian-and-turning-vehicle-conflicts-at-signal.ashx |website=Vic Roads}}

BikeWest president John Symons commented that it was disappointing lessons had not been learned from the "shockingly similar" fatality of Arzu Karakoc who was killed in 2017 by a truck turning left across her path.{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Erin |date=2020-10-09 |title='Failure to see': Calls for traffic signal changes ahead of inquest into cyclist's death |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/failure-to-see-calls-for-traffic-signal-changes-ahead-of-inquest-into-cyclist-s-death-20201009-p563lo.html |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=The Age|location=Melbourne |language=en}}

The Amy Gillet Foundation, a cycling advocacy and safety group, called for safer road infrastructure so that mistakes by drivers do no cause a pedestrian or cyclist to be killed.

• AusCycling{{spaced endash}}the national sporting organisation recognised by the Australian Sports Commission, responsible for the administration of and promotion of the sport of cycling in Australia{{citation|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/|title=Cycling Australia|publisher=Cycling Australia|author=Cycling Australia|accessdate=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028194220/http://www.cycling.org.au/|archive-date=28 October 2013|url-status=dead}}{{citation|title=About Cycling Australia|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/Home/About-CA|archive-date=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127051358/http://www.cycling.org.au/Home/About-CA|publisher=Cycling Australia|author=Cycling Australia}}

• Audax Australia{{spaced endash}}an organisation that promotes long-distance road cycling
• [https://www.betterstreets.org.au Better Streets]{{spaced endash}}Australia's peak body for improving our streets
• Bicycle Network{{spaced endash}}Australia's largest cycling membership organisations (45,000 members, 2015){{Cite web|url=https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/|title=Bicycle Network|date=2016|website=Bicycle Network}} with offices in Victoria and Tasmania.{{Cite web|url=https://cam.bicyclenetwork.com.au/contact/|title=Bicycle Network|last=Bicycle Network|date=2016|website=Bicycle Network}}
• [https://www.cwanz.com.au/ Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand (CWANZ)]{{spaced endash}} Australasian lead reference group for walking and bike riding on transport and recreation networks
• [https://www.railtrails.org.au Rail Trails Australia/]
• [http://www.weride.org.au We Ride] – The Australian Cycling Environmental and Health Foundation

• Bicycle NSW{{cite web |url=http://www.bicyclensw.org.au |title=Home |work=Bicycle NSW }}
• Bicycle Queensland{{cite web |url=http://www.bq.org.au/ |title=Home |work=Bicycle Queensland }}
• Bike SA{{cite web |url=http://www.bikesa.asn.au |title=Home |work=Bike SA }}
• West Cycle{{cite web |title=West Cycle – our history |url=http://www.westcycle.org.au/our-history |work=NCLS Research |publisher=West Cycle |accessdate=20 January 2016 |date=28 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220102626/http://www.westcycle.org.au/our-history |archive-date=20 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}

• Amy Gillett Foundation{{citation|url=http://www.amygillett.org.au/|title=Amy Gillett Foundation: Safe together|author=Amy Gillett Foundation|publisher=Amy Gillett Foundation|accessdate=27 November 2013}} – a charity to promote safe cycling in Australia{{citation|url=http://www.amygillett.org.au/about|title=About AGF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502152008/http://www.amygillett.org.au/about|archive-date=2 May 2013|publisher=Amy Gillett Foundation|author=Amy Gillett Foundation}}

• Cyclist Australia/NZ Magazine – the thrill of the ride{{citation|url=http://cyclist.com.au/|title=Cyclist Magazine|author=Cyclist Magazine|publisher=Citrus Media |accessdate=20 November 2019}}
• Treadlie Magazine{{citation|url=http://treadlie.com.au/|title=Treadlie magazine|author=Treadlie Magazine|publisher=Green Press P/L|accessdate=27 November 2013}} – a magazine for bike lovers{{citation|url=http://treadlie.com.au/about-us/|title=About Us|publisher=Green Press P/L|author=Treadlie Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127052119/http://treadlie.com.au/about-us/|archive-date=27 November 2013}}
• Bicycling Australia Magazine{{citation|url=http://bicyclingaustralia.com/|title=Bicycling Australia|author=Bicycling Australia Magazine|publisher=Lake Wangary Publishing Co|accessdate=27 November 2013}} – a cycling magazine{{citation|url=http://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/about|title=Welcome to Bicycling Australia|publisher=Lake Wangary Publishing Co|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823035436/http://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/about|archive-date=23 August 2013|author=Bicycling Australia Magazine}}

The Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards, an initiative of the Cycling Promotion Fund, have been held annually since 2002.{{citation|url=http://www.cyclingawards.com.au/index.php/past-awards|title=Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards booklets|author=Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727141647/http://cyclingawards.com.au/index.php/past-awards|archive-date=27 July 2013|publisher=Cycling Promotion Fund}}

• Australian Cyclists Party
• Bicycle helmets in Australia
• Ciombola, a bike frame company active between 1998 and 2005
• Cycling in New South Wales
• Cycling in Canberra
• Cycling in Sydney
• Cycling in Victoria
• Mountain biking in Australia

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{citation|url=http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/images/stories/factsheets/Bike%20Sale%20Fact%20Sheet%202009.pdf|title=Bicycle Sales 2009|author=Cycling Promotion Fund|publisher=Cycling Promotion Fund|accessdate=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212147/http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/images/stories/factsheets/Bike%20Sale%20Fact%20Sheet%202009.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}
• {{citation|url=http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/|title=Bicycle Information for New South Wales|publisher=NSW Government|author=NSW Government|accessdate=27 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121070458/http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/|archive-date=21 November 2013}}

{{refend}}

{{Cycling in different countries and cities}}

{{Australian sport}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cycling in Australia}}