Bicycle riding rules and fines

You must follow the same road rules as motorists if you want to cycle on Queensland roads. If you break the road rules on your bicycle you may get a fine but no demerit points are given.

Bicycle riding rules

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Riding a bicycle while not astride the rider's seat facing forwards Queensland Road Rules—Section 245 $161
Failing to keep at least one hand on the handlebars Queensland Road Rules—Section 245 $161
Riding a bicycle using other than the seat position Queensland Road Rules—Section 245 $161
Carrying more persons than the bicycle is designed for Queensland Road Rules—Section 246(1) $161
Bicycle passenger not sitting in the seat designed for the passenger Queensland Road Rules—Section 246(2) $161
Riding a bicycle with passenger not in a seat designed for a passenger Queensland Road Rules—Section 246(3) $161
Failing to stop before riding across a children's or pedestrian crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 248(2) $161
Riding across a crossing other than as permitted Queensland Road Rules—Section 248(2) $161
Riding on the pedestrian side of a separated footpath Queensland Road Rules—Section 249 $161
Riding a bicycle not on the left of a footpath or shared path Queensland Road Rules—Section 250(1)(a) $161
Failing to give way to a pedestrian on a footpath or shared path Queensland Road Rules—Section 250(1)(b) $161
Failing to keep left of an oncoming bicycle on a path Queensland Road Rules—Section 251 $161
Disobeying a no bicycles sign or marking on a road or footpath Queensland Road Rules—Section 252(1) $161
Moving into the path of a vehicle or pedestrian and causing a traffic hazard Queensland Road Rules—Section 253 $161
Riding a bicycle being towed by another vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 254(1) $161
Holding on to a moving vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 254(2) $161
Riding a bicycle within 2m of the rear of a moving motor vehicle for more than 200m Queensland Road Rules—Section 255 $161
Bicycle rider fail to wear helmet Queensland Road Rules—Section 256(1) $161
Bicycle passenger fail to wear bicycle helmet unless exempt Queensland Road Rules—Section 256(2) $161
Ride bicycle with passenger on a bicycle not wearing an approved helmet Queensland Road Rules—Section 256(3) $161
Towing a person in a bicycle trailer other than as permitted (rider must be 16 years or older and passenger under 10 years) Queensland Road Rules—Section 257(1) $161
Riding a bicycle without brakes and a bell, horn or similar warning device Queensland Road Rules—Section 258 $161
Failing to display a light at night or in hazardous weather conditions Queensland Road Rules—Section 259 $161
Leading an animal while riding a bicycle Queensland Road Rules—Section 301(3) $161

General road rules

Keeping left, overtaking and other driving/riding rules

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Unreasonably obstructing the path of a driver, rider or pedestrian Queensland Road Rules—Section 125(1) $161
Following another vehicle too closely Queensland Road Rules—Section 126 $376
Failing to keep to the far left side of road (not a multi-lane road) Queensland Road Rules—Section 129(1) $129
Failing to keep to the left lane on a multi-lane road if the speed limit is over 80km/h Queensland Road Rules—Section 130(2) $96
Disobeying a 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' sign on a multi-lane road Queensland Road Rules—Section 130(2) $96
Failing to keep left of oncoming vehicles Queensland Road Rules—Section 131 $64
Failing to keep left of the centre of a road Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(1) $129
Failing to keep left of centre dividing line/s Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(2) $290
Failing to keep left of double continuous dividing lines Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(3) $290
Failing to keep left of a median strip Queensland Road Rules—Section 135(1) $129
Driving/riding the wrong way on a one-way service road Queensland Road Rules—Section 136 $129
Crossing continuous line/s beside a painted island Queensland Road Rules—Section 138(1) $290
Overtaking when not safe to do so Queensland Road Rules—Section 140 $225
Overtaking or riding past a vehicle turning and signalling left to the left of that vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 141(2) $161
Overtaking a vehicle turning and signalling right to the right of that vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 142(1) $225
Overtaking a vehicle with a 'Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle' sign that is turning and signalling left to the left of that vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 143(1) $225
Overtaking a vehicle with a 'Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle' sign that is turning and signalling right to the right of that vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 143(2) $225
Failing to maintain a safe distance while overtaking a vehicle Queensland Road Rules—Section 144 $225
Increasing speed while being overtaken Queensland Road Rules—Section 145 $96
Failing to drive/ride in a marked lane on a multi-lane road Queensland Road Rules—Section 146(1) $129
Failing to drive/ride within a line of traffic on a road with 2 or more lines of traffic Queensland Road Rules—Section 146(2) $129
Crossing a continuous line dividing lanes on a multi-lane road Queensland Road Rules—Section 147(1) $129
Failing to give way when changing lanes on a multi-lane road Queensland Road Rules—Section 148(1) $483
Failing to give way when changing from one line of traffic to another Queensland Road Rules—Section 148(2) $483
Failing to give way while diverging within a marked lane Queensland Road Rules—Section 148(A) $483
Failing to give way when lines of traffic are merging into a single line Queensland Road Rules—Section 149 $483
Disobeying an overhead lane control device Queensland Road Rules—Section 152(1) $290
Driving/riding on a safety zone, or past a safety zone at an unsafe speed Queensland Road Rules—Section 162(1) $193
Using a horn or other similar warning device other than as permitted Queensland Road Rules—Section 224 $96
Failing to give way to all other nature strip users when driving/riding on a nature strip Queensland Road Rules—Section 289(2) $376
Driving/riding on a traffic island (except in a roundabout) Queensland Road Rules—Section 290 $96
Driver/rider involved in a crash failing to fulfil duties Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act—Section 93(2) $322
Driver/rider involved in a crash failing to give particulars to police if required Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act—Section 93(4) $483
Driver/rider drinking liquor while driving/riding Queensland Road Rules—Section 300A $483

Level crossings

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Failing to stop at a 'Stop' sign at a level crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 121 $483
Failing to give way at a 'Stop' sign at a level crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 121 $483
Failing to give way at a 'Give Way' sign or line at a level crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 122 $483
Entering a level crossing while warning lights or bells are operating Queensland Road Rules—Section 123 $483
Entering a level crossing while a barrier is closed, closing or opening Queensland Road Rules—Section 123 $483
Entering a level crossing while a train is on or entering the crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 123 $483
Entering a level crossing while a train is approaching and a collision is likely Queensland Road Rules—Section 123 $483
Entering a level crossing while the crossing or road beyond is blocked Queensland Road Rules—Section 123 $483
Failing to leave a level crossing as soon as practicable Queensland Road Rules—Section 124 $483
Driver/rider causing damage to rail infrastructure at a railway crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 300D(1) $1,290
Driver/rider causing an obstruction at a level crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 300D(2) $1,290

Mobile phones

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Driver use hand-held mobile phone—bicycle Queensland Road Rules—Section 300(1) $1,209

Roundabouts

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Entering a roundabout from other than the left lane or left side of the road when leaving less than halfway around Queensland Road Rules—Section 111(1) $96
Disobeying a traffic lane arrow on a multi-lane roundabout Queensland Road Rules—Section 111(1) $96
Failing to signal right when approaching a roundabout and intending to leave more than halfway around Queensland Road Rules—Section 113(2) $96
Failing to give way to a vehicle when entering a roundabout Queensland Road Rules—Section 114(1)(a) $483
Failing to give way to a tram when driving/riding in a roundabout Queensland Road Rules—Section 114(2) $483
Failing to drive/ride to the left of a central traffic island on a roundabout Queensland Road Rules—Section 115(1) $96
Disobeying a traffic lane arrow when on or leaving a roundabout Queensland Road Rules—Section 116 $129
Failing to signal right before changing lanes in a roundabout Queensland Road Rules—Section 117(2) $96

Speeding

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Exceeding the speed limit by less than 11km/h  Queensland Road Rules—Section 20 $322
Exceeding the speed limit by at least 11 km/h but not more than 20km/h Queensland Road Rules—Section 20 $483
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h Queensland Road Rules—Section 20 $725
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h but not more than 40km/h Queensland Road Rules—Section 20 $1,209
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h  Queensland Road Rules—Section 20 $1,854

Stopping and giving way

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Failing to stop at a 'Stop' sign or line at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 67(2) $483
Failing to give way to a vehicle at an intersection with a 'Stop' sign or line Queensland Road Rules—Section 67(3) $483
Failing to give way to a pedestrian when turning at an intersection with a 'Stop' sign or line Queensland Road Rules—Section 67(4) $483
Failing to stop at a 'Stop' sign or line at places other than intersections, crossings or twin red lights Queensland Road Rules—Section 68(2) $483
Failing to give way to a vehicle or a pedestrian at a 'Stop' sign or line at places other than intersections, crossings or twin red lights Queensland Road Rules—Section 68(3) $483
Failing to give way at a 'Give Way' sign or line at an intersection (not a roundabout) Queensland Road Rules—Section 69(2) $483
Failing to give way at a 'Give Way' sign or line when turning left using a slip lane at an intersection (not a roundabout) Queensland Road Rules—Section 69(2A) $483
Failing to give way to a pedestrian at a 'Give Way' sign or line when turning at an intersection (not a roundabout) Queensland Road Rules—Section 69(3) $483
Failing to give way if 2 or more drivers/riders face a mixture of various signs/lines at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 69A $483
Failing to give way at a 'Give Way' sign on a length of narrow road, or at a bridge Queensland Road Rules—Section 70 $483
Failing to give way at a 'Give Way' sign at other places Queensland Road Rules—Section 71(1) $483
Failing to give way at an intersection (not a T-intersection or roundabout) without traffic lights or stop/give way signs or lines Queensland Road Rules—Section 72(1) $483
Failing to give way at a T-intersection without traffic lights or stop/give way signs or lines Queensland Road Rules—Section 73(1) $483
Failing to give way when entering a road from a road-related area or adjacent land Queensland Road Rules—Section 74(1) $483
Failing to give way when entering a road-related area or adjacent land  Queensland Road Rules—Section 75(1) $483
Failing to give way to a bus displaying a priority sign and indicating right Queensland Road Rules—Section 77(1) $290
Failing to give way to an oversize vehicle under escort Queensland Road Rules—Section 79A(1) $290
Failing to stop at a children's crossing when a hand-held 'Stop' sign is displayed, or when a pedestrian/bicycle rider is on or entering the crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(2) $483
Proceeding after stopping contrary to a hand-held 'Stop' sign at a children's crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(3) $483
Proceeding after stopping while a pedestrian/bicycle rider is on or entering a children's crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(4) $483
Failing to give way to a pedestrian/bicycle rider on a pedestrian crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 81(2) $483
Passing a vehicle that is stopping at a children's or pedestrian crossing Queensland Road Rules—Section 82 $290
Failing to give way to a pedestrian in a shared zone Queensland Road Rules—Section 83 $483
Failing to give way to a vehicle when driving through a break in a dividing strip Queensland Road Rules—Section 84(1)(b) $483
Failing to give way when entering a turning lane from a painted island Queensland Road Rules—Section 85 $483
Failing to give way when entering a median turning bay to an oncoming vehicle already in the bay Queensland Road Rules—Section 86(1) $483
Failing to give way when entering traffic from the side of the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 87(1) $483
Failing to give way when entering traffic from a median strip parking area Queensland Road Rules—Section 87(3) $483

Traffic lights and turn signals

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Failing to signal an intention to change direction right Queensland Road Rules—Section 48(1) $96
Failing to stop at a red traffic light Queensland Road Rules—Section 56(1) $645
Failing to stop at a red traffic arrow Queensland Road Rules—Section 56(2) $645
Failing to stop at a yellow traffic light if the driver/rider could stop safely Queensland Road Rules—Section 57(1) $645
Failing to stop at a yellow traffic arrow if the driver/rider could stop safely Queensland Road Rules—Section 57(2) $645
Failing to leave an intersection entered on a yellow traffic light/arrow as soon as it is safe to do so Queensland Road Rules—Section 57(3) $483
Proceeding through a red traffic light Queensland Road Rules—Section 59(1) $645
Proceeding through a red traffic arrow Queensland Road Rules—Section 60 $645
Proceeding contrary to a red or yellow traffic light or arrow after stopping before an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 61(2) $645
Failing to leave an intersection as soon as it is safe to do so when a traffic light or arrow changes to red or yellow Queensland Road Rules—Section 61(5) $483
Failing to give way to a pedestrian when turning at an intersection with traffic lights Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1) $483
Failing to give way at a 'left turn on red after stopping' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1) $483
Failing to give way to an oncoming vehicle when turning right at an intersection with traffic lights without a green right turn traffic arrow Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1) $483
Failing to give way to a bicycle rider on a crossing when turning at an intersection with traffic lights Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1) $483
Disobeying a 'Traffic Light-Stop' sign at an intersection with traffic lights not operating Queensland Road Rules—Section 63(2) $483
Failing to give way at a 'Traffic Light-Stop' sign at an intersection with traffic lights not operating Queensland Road Rules—Section 63(2) $483
Failing to give way as required at an intersection with traffic lights not operating and no 'Traffic Light-Stop' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 63(3) $483
Failing to give way as required when turning at an intersection with a flashing yellow traffic arrow Queensland Road Rules—Section 64 $483
Failing to give way to a pedestrian on a foot crossing with a flashing yellow traffic light Queensland Road Rules—Section 65(2) $483
Obstructing a pedestrian on a foot crossing with a flashing yellow traffic light Queensland Road Rules—Section 65(2) $483
Passing a vehicle that is stopping to give way at a foot crossing with a flashing yellow traffic light Queensland Road Rules—Section 65(2) $483
Failing to stop at twin red lights (except at level crossings) Queensland Road Rules—Section 66(1) $645
Proceeding contrary to twin red lights after stopping Queensland Road Rules—Section 66(4) $645
Bicycle, bus, taxi or limousine failing to stop at a red B light Queensland Road Rules—Section 281 $645
Bicycle, bus, taxi or limousine failing to stop at a yellow B light Queensland Road Rules—Section 282 $645
Bicycle, bus, taxi or limousine stopped for red or yellow B light proceeding before a white B light, or green traffic light is displayed Queensland Road Rules—Section 284 $645
Bicycle, bus, taxi or limousine stopped before an intersection proceeding before a white B light, green traffic light or white traffic arrow is displayed Queensland Road Rules—Section 286(2) $645
Bicycle, bus, taxi or limousine failing to clear an intersection after B lights or traffic arrows change to yellow, red or turn off Queensland Road Rules—Section 286(3) $483

Traffic signs and road markings

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Disobeying a left turn only sign at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 88(1) $129
Disobeying a 'Left Lane Must Turn Left' sign at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 88(2) $129
Disobeying a right turn only sign at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 89(1) $129
Disobeying a 'Right Lane Must Turn Right' sign at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 89(2) $129
Disobeying a no turns sign at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 90 $129
Disobeying a no left turn sign  Queensland Road Rules—Section 91(1) $129
Disobeying a no right turn sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 91(2) $129
Disobeying a directional arrow on the road at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 92(1) $129
Disobeying a 'No Overtaking or Passing' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 93(1) $225
Disobeying a 'No Overtaking on Bridge' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 94 $225
Disobeying 'Keep Clear' markings on the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 96(1) $247
Disobeying a road access sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 97(1) $193
Disobeying a 'One Way' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 98(1) $225
Disobeying a 'Keep Left' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 99(1) $225
Disobeying a 'Keep Right' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 99(2) $225
Disobeying a 'No Entry' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 100 $225
Failing to stop at a hand-held 'Stop' sign (not at a children's crossing) Queensland Road Rules—Section 101(1) $483
Proceeding contrary to a hand-held 'Stop' sign (not at a children's crossing) Queensland Road Rules—Section 101(2) $483
Driving/riding on a safety ramp or arrester bed unless necessary for safety Queensland Road Rules—Section 101A(1) $225

Turning

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Turning left at an intersection from a position not near the far left side of the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 27(1) $96
Turning left at an intersection on a multi-lane road from other than the left lane Queensland Road Rules—Section 28(1) $96
Failing to turn left from a slip lane when the slip lane is not obstructed Queensland Road Rules—Section 28(1A) $96
Bicycle rider failing to turn left from the left side of a bicycle storage area Queensland Road Rules—Section 28(2A) $161
Disobeying a turn line when making a left turn at an intersection Queensland Road Rules—Section 29(1) $129
Turning right at an intersection from a road with a dividing line or median strip from a position not near the line or strip Queensland Road Rules—Section 31(1) $96
Turning right at an intersection from a position not near the centre of the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 31(1) $96
Turning right at an intersection on a one-way road from a position not near the far right side of the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 31(1) $96
Turning right at an intersection on a multi-lane road from other than the right lane Queensland Road Rules—Section 32(1) $96
Bicycle rider failing to turn right from the right side of a bicycle storage area Queensland Road Rules—Section 32(2A) $161
Turning right other than from near the centre of an intersection or as indicated by turn lines Queensland Road Rules—Section 33(1) $129
Bicycle rider making a hook turn other than from the far left side of the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 35(2) $161
Beginning a U-turn unsafely without a clear view of approaching traffic  Queensland Road Rules—Section 37 $129
Failing to give way when making a U-turn Queensland Road Rules—Section 38 $483
Disobeying a 'No U-turn' sign at a break in a dividing strip Queensland Road Rules—Section 39(1) $129
Disobeying a 'No U-turn' sign on a no U-turn length of road Queensland Road Rules—Section 39(2) $129
Making a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights but without a 'U Turn Permitted' sign Queensland Road Rules—Section 40 $129
Disobeying a 'No U-turn' sign at an intersection without traffic lights Queensland Road Rules—Section 41 $129
Making a U-turn at an intersection from a position not near the left of a dividing line or median strip, or the centre of the road Queensland Road Rules—Section 42 $129
Conducting a U-turn over single or double continuous line/s Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(2A) $290

Sharing the road

Emergency vehicles

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Moving into the path of a police or emergency vehicle with a flashing light or alarm Queensland Road Rules—Section 78(1) $376
Failing to move out of the path of a police or emergency vehicle with a flashing light or alarm Queensland Road Rules—Section 78(2) $376
Failing to give way to a police or emergency vehicle with a flashing light or alarm Queensland Road Rules—Section 79(1) $376

Trams

Description of offenceLegislationFine
Moving into the path of an approaching tram Queensland Road Rules—Section 76(1) $161
Failing to move out of the path of an approaching tram Queensland Road Rules—Section 76(2) $161
Driving/riding in a tramway Queensland Road Rules—Section 155A $483
Proceeding if a tram stops and doors are open or passengers are crossing to left side of road Queensland Road Rules—Section 164AA(2) $225
Driving/riding past a stopped tram at a speed over 10km/h Queensland Road Rules—Section 164AA(3) $225