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In May 2018, after a 2 year trial, the Minimum Passing Distance became permanent law in NSW.  Providing space when overtaking bike riders, is helping to protect our most vulnerable road users.

What is the Minimum Passing Distance? 

When the speed limit is 60km/h and under, a motor vehicle must provide bike riders 1 metre of space when overtaking.

When the speed limit is over 60km/h, a motor vehicle must provide 1.5 metres of space when overtaking.

The measurement is taken from the widest part of the bike or rider (i.e. handle bars or shoulder) to the widest part of the motor vehicle (i.e. a mirror)

Exemptions to the law that enable driver to provide bike riders with this space

Drivers will be exempted from the below, when passing a bike rider (with 1 or 1.5 metre of space):

  • Keep to the left of the centre of the road (two-way road with no dividing line)
  • Keep to the left of the centre of a dividing line - broken and unbroken lines
  • Keep off a flat dividing strip
  • Keep off a flat painted island
  • Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic
  • Moving from one marked lane to another across a continuous line separating the lanes

Extending the courtesy to paths

When riding on shared path and footpaths, we strongly encourage riders to give pedestrians and other riders 1 metre of space when overtaking.

Bike riders are allowed to ride on footpaths if they are under the age of 16, or are with an under 16 bike rider. This means that parents, guardians, friends and siblings aged 18 years or over are legally allowed to ride on the footpath if they are accompanying a rider under 16. Read more about footpath riding in NSW here.

Campaigning for the Minimum Passing Distance

Speak Up For Safer Roads

08/04/2021
The NSW Government is preparing a new road safety strategy, and we want to ensure...
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Safer Roads For Bikes Are Overdue

29/01/2021
NSW bike riders are tired of waiting for safer roads. Viral Video Endangering Riders Over...
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How Can Riders Help With Safe Passing?

14/10/2020
Since 2018, NSW drivers must maintain a minimum passing distance of 1m/1.5m when overtaking bike...
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How To Overtake Bike Riders

12/10/2020
Bike riding is booming! Over the last few months we’ve seen bike sales go through...
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Welcome To The Club

07/10/2020
Bicycle NSW was pleased to learn that Victorians can anticipate an investment in safer bike...
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Have You Crossed The Line?

19/06/2019
After weeks of tough design decisions, the winners of the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club (DHBC)...
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Media Release: Driver Education Key To Cyclist Safety

15/10/2018
Urgent action is needed to improve the safety of cyclists on our roads. Road safety data...
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Minimum Passing Distance Enforcement

31/08/2018
Bicycle NSW successfully campaigned for the Minimum Passing Distance (MPD) law as a way to...
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Minimum Passing Distance with NSW Police Force

10/07/2018
With the Minimum Passing Distance being made permanent, Bicycle NSW has taken a proactive approach...
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