Transporting bicycles

When transporting a bicycle on your vehicle, there are safety requirements and dimensional limits that you must follow.

General guidelines for transporting a bicycle on a vehicle

These guidelines apply to all bicycle carriers, regardless of their construction or location on the vehicle:

• The bicycle carriers must be securely attached to the vehicle. Routine checking that the carrier does not work loose at regular intervals during travel is recommended.
• All bicycles must be securely attached to the bicycle carrier.
• The bicycles must not be fitted with accessory items that may become detached when travelling.
• The carrier must not carry more than the number of bicycles it is designed to hold.
• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum weight specified for the bicycle carrier or tow bar assembly.
• Any attachments, bicycles, and any other load, including passengers, on or in the vehicle must not cause the vehicle to exceed its gross vehicle mass (GVM).

Rear mounted bicycle carriers

When a bicycle is on the back of your vehicle you must use a bicycle carrier that suits your vehicle.

Rear-mounted bicycle carriers are fixed to the back of the vehicle, usually through the tow bar or on the boot/hatch.

^{(The image above is from the Vehicle Standards Information produced by Transport for New South Wales and are used with permission.)}

Safety requirements for transporting a bicycle on a vehicle

Rear overhang and projection limits

Bicycles carried on rear-mounted bicycle carriers must comply with rear overhang and projection limits.

The following diagrams illustrates the permitted total dimensions limits for a vehicle.

^{(The image above is from the Vehicle Standards Information produced by Transport for New South Wales and are used with permission.)}

Measurement A: the length from the middle of the vehicle’s rear axle to the rearmost point of the loaded bicycle or bicycle carrier must not exceed 60% of the wheelbase.

Wheelbase: the distance between the centre of the vehicle's front and rear axles.

Measurement B: bicycle carriers and any bicycles or other equipment attached to the bicycle carrier, must not project more than 150mm beyond the extreme width of either side of your vehicle. The total width must not exceed 2.5m.

Measurement C: bicycle carriers and any attached bicycle/s should not project more than 1.2m beyond the rear of the vehicle. If the design or construction of the bicycle carrier does exceed more than 1.2m beyond the rear of the vehicle, you must have the following safety features:

• During the day: display a brightly coloured red and yellow, or yellow flag at least 450mm by 450mm fixed to the extreme back of the load.
• At night: display either a red warning light that is visible from at least 200m away or at least 2 red reflectors capable of reflecting from the headlights of a following vehicle.
• At all times: display all warning devices at the very end of your load and clearly visible to other people.

Protrusions and sharp edges

Any part of the bicycle carrier, including any bicycles, must be fitted so that it doesn't become a danger to a person or its surroundings. The following guidelines apply:

• Bicycle carriers, fittings, hooks or attachments must not have any sharp edges, corners or protrusions, and should not extend beyond the side profile of the vehicle.
• All exposed sections of the bicycle carrier must be free from sharp edges.
• All rear and side protruding components should be designed to minimise the risk of injury to any person who may come into with the bicycle carrier.

Any dangerous or sharp protrusions must be removed or covered.

Number plates

The number plate on the back of your vehicle must be clearly visible from a distance of 20m within any point 45 degrees to the left, right or above the number plate as shown in the diagrams.

^{(The images below are from the Vehicle Standards Information produced by Transport for New South Wales and are used with permission.)}

If a vehicle is fitted with a rear-mounted bicycle carrier and the number plate is not clearly visible in line with the number plate requirements, you must:

• remove the bicycle carrier, or
• reposition the bicycle so the number plate is not hidden
• fit a Department of Transport and Main Roads issued accessory plate to the rear of the bicycle carrier.

Accessory number plate

You are required to display an accessory number plate if you have a vehicle accessory such as a bicycle rack on your vehicle that blocks the view of your number plate. An accessory number plate ensures your number plate complies with visibility requirements.

An accessory number plate must be:

• not more than 1.3m above the ground
• attached at the rear of the accessory
• visible from a distance of at least 20m from the rear of the accessory.

Hand painted or replica number plates are not permitted.

Read more about accessory number plates.

Lighting

You must make sure the bicycle carrier and/or bicycles doesn't block the vehicle's lights including the brake lights, centre-mounted brake light and indicators. If any of these lights have been affected, you must attach an extra set of lights at the rear of the bicycle/s. Any extra rear lights must be fitted in pairs.

Removing the carrier when not in use

You should remove or reposition the bicycle carrier when it is not being used so that it is not a hazard to other vehicles and pedestrians.