Is it ok to break the law to avoid breaking the law?

**Battler** · 8th March 2016, 08:42 AM

As the title says.

And here is the example: In QLD the law is as I understand it you must pass cyclists with a gap of at least 1m between your car and the cyclist.

What I am finding in order to not break the above law I am actually breaking the law by briefly crossing either a double white line or a single white and sometimes chevrons. Especially when cyclists ride two abreast.

So, if a cop sees me doing the above will I get booked?

Or is the answer to stay behind the cyclists and wait for a broken line or an overtaking lane. That could be quite a long time going up Mt Tamborine!

Or work out which is the lesser fine and break that law?

**BigJon** · 8th March 2016, 08:56 AM

In SA you can cross the lines if it is safe to do so.

The text book answer is you follow the cyclists until it is safe and legal to overtake.

**Disco Muppet** · 8th March 2016, 09:04 AM

I saw something in the paper about being able to cross unbroken lines to give the 1m gap

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**Bazzle218** · 8th March 2016, 09:19 AM

You can pass but only when safe to do so.

**NavyDiver** · 8th March 2016, 09:58 AM

Bike, cycle or the slow movers. Overtaking rules are the same- "when safe to do so".
I agree with moving over lanes when it is safe and legal by the way. Saw a person shouting and honking at a garbage truck yesterday. Some times I wish I had a dash camera in my disco

I would hope and assume police are not going to harass you or I if wheels are on or close to the lines if it is safe and we are overtaking slow movers of any type.

**loanrangie** · 8th March 2016, 10:01 AM

Isnt it illegal for cyclists to ride 2 abreast ?

**solmanic** · 8th March 2016, 10:02 AM

Ditto - legal to cross double white lines in QLD when overtaking a cyclist. I think it's the same for overtaking horses as well.

Another cycling related legality people also miss is that you only need a 1m gap when traveling above 30kph. I have seen posts on other forums where people have tried to claim that cyclists passing stationary traffic at lights less than 1m are breaking the law. Not so.

**solmanic** · 8th March 2016, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Isnt it illegal for cyclists to ride 2 abreast ?

No. And they can ride three abreast if the third one is overtaking the other two - at least in QLD.

**weeds** · 8th March 2016, 11:22 AM

Oh dear.....another cyclist thread

It will be a slinging match by the end of the day.......

DiscoMick · 8th March 2016, 11:46 AM

I don't see why people get so upset about cyclists. Who cares if they swerve in and out of traffic - not me. It's not an ego contest.
I remember being in Vietnam where the roads are filled with swarms of motorbikes and cars have to move very carefully not to squash them. Its pretty simple - the bigger vehicles are supposed to maintain a steady path and the bikes go around them. It seems to work over there.
Here, why get upset about cyclists? Just don't run over them, accept they can change direction quicker than a vehicle and let them go around you when the traffic is slow.

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