Based on the speed limit, how much of a gap should you leave when passing the bicycle rider?

Minimum passing distance laws make sure people driving cars give comfortable clearance when passing or overtaking someone riding a bicycle.

Minimum passing distance laws have been a long-term goal for Australia’s bike riding community.

Amy Gillett Foundation’s A Metre Matters campaign has been active since 2009, calling for drivers to leave a gap of at least one metre when passing someone riding a bike.

In October 2015, South Australia became the first state to introduce minimum passing distance laws. One by one, each Australian state introduced the laws, with Victoria becoming the last state to do so in April 2021.

When overtaking someone riding a bicycle, drivers must allow a minimum distance of:

One metre, when the speed limit is 60km/h or less
1.5 metres when the speed limit is more than 60km/h

To make passing easy, drivers can cross double or solid lines when overtaking someone riding a bike, as long they have a clear view and it is safe to do so.

March 2016

Bicycle Network announces public policy review into MPDL which included public submissions, a public debate and literature review.

April 2016

Bicycle Network made a submission to the Victorian Parliament cross-party Economy and Infrastructure Committee inquiry into passing distance laws.

In the submission, Bicycle Network supported a five-year minimum passing distance trial in Victoria with six key conditions:

continue to focus on the safe systems approach
make it clear that it’s a minimum distance
the legislation should not apply to bikes in lanes in 50kmph or less zones
supplement the law with a driver behaviour change program
conduct a pre- and post-impact study
instruct police to enforce the law.

Previously, Bicycle Network had not campaigned for MPDL. The change in policy was the result of a public policy review which collected research and held public hearings.

March 2017

The government announces that it will not legislate MPDL in Victoria. See the government’s response.

Instead, it outlined a two-stage approach to reduce the crash rate for bike riders:

A year-long community education campaign designed to change motorists’ behaviours and attitudes towards cyclists. The campaign will be evaluated to examine the community’s response, its preparedness for a rule change and road safety outcomes, crash rates, road user behaviour and perceptions of safety.
A trial of a minimum passing distance laws. However, the trial will only go forward if the community education campaign is ineffective.

Bicycle Network Chief Executive Officer Craig Richards spoke of his disappointment following the announcement.

“We are disappointed that the Victorian Government isn’t following the lead of other states turning MPDL into legislation,” Mr Richards said.

“It’s clear that bike riders want a MPDL and today’s announcement is a huge missed opportunity to bring Victoria into line and further reduce to the risk to bike riders on our roads.”

While Bicycle Network believes an education campaign is important, we’re also concerned that unless the education campaign incorporates strong behaviour change elements, it could be a wasteful use of limited government resources.

“At the end of the day, we want the best outcome for all road users and we hope that the government’s new education campaign is strongly tied to behaviour change methodology.”

“Studies show that in isolation, mass education/awareness campaign are not an effective way to create real behavioural change,” Mr Richards added.

Following the announcement, Bicycle Network has evolved its position, calling for the introduction of MPDL, without a trial.

May 2017

Following a well-attended morning rally in support of cyclist safety, Greens MP Samantha Dunn’s MPDL bill was tabled in the Legislative Council. The bill passed by 21 votes to 17, with the Greens, Coalition and Sex Party voting for and Labor and S&F party opposed.

By day’s end, the bill was put to the vote in the Legislative Assembly, with the Labor government and Independent MP Don Nardella used their majority to scuttle it.

November 2017

TAC launches ‘Give the space to ride safe‘ campaign which includes TV, radio, online and outdoor advertising.

Bicycle Network alongside a number of other stakeholders including the Amy Gillet Foundation, were involved in the development of the campaign and was part of the group that advised the TAC and agency that created the ads.

May 2020

Bicycle Network once again renewed calls for the introduction of minimum passing distance law as part of our six month stimulus plan, Pedalling to a better normal. The plan provides actions that can be implemented immediately in response to the economic and health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Minimum passing distance laws give more people confidence to ride a bike.

Minimum passing distance laws help both regular bike riders and also people who are interested in bike riding, but have concerns about sharing the road motor vehicles.

Knowing that cars will pass at a comfortable distance makes people of all ages confidence to jump on a bike and ride. It will help more children and families ride to school together. It will help more people cruise to the shops on a bike. It will help more people explore Australia’s great natural beauty on two wheels.

Minimum passing distance laws are part of the mix that will make Australia a nation of bike riders.

In Australia, 20% of bike-vehicle collisions involve a vehicle overtaking a bike rider.
Following minimum passing distance legislation introduced in Queensland, only 12% of passes on roads at low speed sites were non-compliant.
However, driver non-compliance is associated with high speed roads, narrow roads, and curved road sections. This highlights the need for infrastructural changes to complement the laws.