Driving around cyclists, e-scooters and pedestrians in Brisbane

How much room must you give a cyclist in Queensland?

The gap is measured from the rightmost part of the bike, rider or anything it tows, to the leftmost part of your car, which usually means your side mirror.^[1] It applies whenever you travel in the same direction, even when the rider is in a separate lane such as a bike lane, and even while the rider moves out around an obstacle. It doesn't apply to riders coming the other way.^[1]

If you need to move over to pass, indicate right, then indicate left as you return. You must signal even if the move doesn't take you across a line.^[1] Two riders may ride side by side up to 1.5 m apart; the gap is then measured from the rider nearer to you.^[1] Some riders take the whole lane because of rough edges or gravel, so slow down and let them.^[1]

Do the same rules apply to e-scooters?

Yes. E-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles are personal mobility devices, and the passing and give-way rules for drivers treat their riders the same as cyclists.^[1][3] What differs is where you'll meet them:

• On roads with a limit of 60 km/h or less, and in bike lanes on those roads, at up to 25 km/h.^[3]
• In any bike lane physically separated from traffic, for example by bollards or a raised median.^[3]
• On footpaths at up to 12 km/h, which matters when you cross one in and out of a driveway.^[3]
• Not in bus lanes.^[4]

From 31 August 2026, riders must be at least 16 and hold a driver licence (learner or above).^[3] Brisbane City Council says up to 7,100 shared e-scooters and e-bikes are available to hire across the city, with parking hubs in the CBD and inner suburbs.^[10]

Can I drive or park in a bike lane?

A bike lane is marked by a bicycle lane sign, or a bicycle symbol with the word "lane" painted in white, and is sometimes painted green. Bike symbols without the word "lane", or an unmarked shoulder, don't make a bike lane.^[4]

A car may travel in a bike lane for up to 50 m to enter or leave the road, to move to or from a service road, to pass a vehicle turning right, or to enter a marked lane from the side of the road. It may also use one to avoid an obstruction or to obey signs.^[4] Give way to bikes when you move in.^[4] You can stop or park in a marked bike lane only where you're allowed to drive in it and no sign or marking prohibits it.^[4]

At some traffic lights you'll see a bicycle storage area: a box between two parallel stop lines, often green, with bicycle symbols. Cars must stop at the first stop line; only bicycles and motorcycles may go forward into the box.^[5]

Who gives way when you're turning?

You do, to any pedestrian or rider on or entering the road you're turning into. That includes people crossing on a green "walk" signal while you have a green light to turn.^[6] In a left-turn slip lane you also give way to anyone crossing it, marked crossing or not.^[1][6] The same applies at driveways, forwards or in reverse, to people on the footpath.^[6]

If a rider is ahead of you going straight and you want to turn left, turn behind them rather than overtaking and cutting across.^[1] Check mirrors and blind spots before turning or changing lanes; riders can be faster than you expect in slow traffic.^[1] Failing to give way to a pedestrian or rider when turning at traffic lights was 3 points and $518 at the time of writing.^[9]

What are the rules at pedestrian and children's crossings?

Give way to anyone on a pedestrian (zebra) crossing. Riders may use these crossings too, so stay stopped until they're across.^[1][2] You must not enter a crossing if you can't clear it because the road beyond is blocked.^[2] If a car in the next lane has stopped or is stopping for a crossing, you must not overtake or pass it: it may be hiding someone on foot.^[8]

You must give way at children's crossings too.^[2] Not giving way on a pedestrian crossing, or failing to stop on a children's crossing, each carried 3 points and $518 at the time of writing.^[9] School zones are covered in school zones in Queensland.

The Queensland Government notes that more than half of pedestrian deaths happen in darkness or at dusk, and that pedestrians can be hard to see in rain or fog.^[2] Around shopping centres, bus stops and venues serving alcohol, slow down for people stepping out between parked cars.^[2]

How do you avoid opening a door into a rider?

Queensland's road rules make it an offence to cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a door, or by getting out of a vehicle stopped in traffic or at lights.^[7] Before you or a passenger opens a door, check the rear-view and side mirrors for bicycle and e-scooter riders coming up beside the car.^[1] Passengers getting out on the traffic side need the same check.

What if you collide with a rider or pedestrian?

Stop immediately, stay at the scene and help anyone injured, which can mean calling an ambulance (000 in an emergency).^[3] This applies on the road and in road-related areas such as footpaths, shared paths and car parks.^[1] Give your name and address to the rider, anyone injured and the owner of any damaged property. If details aren't exchanged, report it to police through Policelink or on 131 444.^[1]