Cyclists are vulnerable road users. View more on cyclists involved in road crashes in South Australia (PDF).
South Australia’s Road Safety Strategy 2020 – Towards Zero Together recognises that the most effective measures to improve cyclist safety are by either providing lower speed environments where motor vehicles and bicycles travel at comparable speeds, or by providing separation between cyclists and vehicles where there are significant speed differences.
The Road Safety Action Plan 2013-2016 therefore identifies a number of key actions benefitting cyclists:
The Road Traffic Act defines bicycles as vehicles and cyclists therefore have a legitimate right to use our roads. Cyclists, just like motor vehicle drivers, have a responsibility to obey the Road Rules.
It is essential that all bicycle riders understand and behave in accordance with the road rules for their own, and other road users’ safety.
To find out more on what the law says in relation to cyclist responsibilities and motor vehicle driver responsibilities towards cyclists when on our roads see Cycling and the law.
Recent changes to the law that came into effect on 25 October 2015 mean that:
To assist drivers to comply with the rule to “stay wider of a rider”, if a driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic and can do so safely, they are permitted to:
Read more about these new cycling laws.
When riding a bicycle you can be charged with a traffic offence in the same way as a motor vehicle driver. This includes incurring demerit points against your drivers licence for a certain offence. You can incur demerit points even if you don’t hold a drivers licence (which can prohibit you from obtaining one).
One of the strategic priorities in South Australia’s Strategic Plan envisions neighbourhoods that are safe and welcoming, where people can live active and healthy lives and feel part of the community.
Current government projects support a range of initiatives encouraging people to ride, walk or catch public transport, road safety improvements or replacing car journeys with technology such as teleconferencing and virtual web meetings. The state government is committed to doubling the number of people cycling in South Australia by 2020.
The Cycle instead journey planner is one of these initiatives, providing a dynamic tool that can suggest cycling routes using Adelaide's Bikedirect network of main roads, bike lanes, local streets, off-road paths and some unsealed paths.
Additional vehicles registered in South Australia have now been identified as having been fitted with a “critical” Takata airbag, and will be refused registration to ensure the safety of all road users.
As part of the Regency Road to Pym Street Project there will be a temporary partial closure of the South Road and Regency Road intersection from 5am Monday, 4 January, to 5am Monday, 11 January, weather permitting.
As part of the Darlington Upgrade Project, night and weekend works will be undertaken in the lowered motorway and on South Road to install the final layer of asphalt and line marking.
Motorists are advised of upcoming partial closures of the Heysen Tunnels to allow for essential safety maintenance works.