Motorcycle Laws (NSW)

In New South Wales, a motorcycle rider must obey the same road rules that apply to motor vehicle drivers, however, there are some rules specific to motorcycle riders. 

What are Motorcycle Laws?

The general rules pertaining to riding on motor bikes is regulated under Regulation 271 of the Road Rules 2014.

Specific Motorcycle Rules

Helmets for Motorcycles

All motorcyclists and their passengers must wear a helmet that is approved and that complies with the Australian Standard AS 1698 or the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNECE22.05 or 22.06. The helmet must be securely fitted and fasted to the rider and the passenger’s head. 

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A fine of $2,200.

Parking a Motorcycle on a Footpath

Motorcycles cannot be parked on footpaths or any nature strips. Motorcycles can park on private property adjacent to a footpath granted the property owner provides permission and granted the motorbike is not blocking the footpath or parked in front of the driveway or garage. 

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A fine of $283 or a fine of $362 if the offence occurs in a school zone or a fine of $2,200 if the matter is heard in Court.

Driving in Transit and Bus Lanes

Motorcyclists are permitted to ride in transit lanes but are not able to ride in bus lanes or lanes designated for other special vehicles, unless there is signage stating otherwise.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: $344 fine and 1 demerit point, or a maximum fine of $5,500 if heard in Court.

Motorcyclist Carrying Pillion Passengers

A motorcyclist can carry a pillion passenger only if their licence category allows. A motorcycle must not carry more than one pillion passenger, and that passenger must not be a child aged under 8 (unless the child is in a sidecar). A pillion passenger must wear a helmet, sit behind the rider, face forward, have a leg each side of the motorcycle and have both feet on the allocated foot pegs.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A maximum fine of $2,200 if heard in Court.

Motorcyclist Carrying Animals

An animal must not be carried between the rider and the handlebars, unless the animal is being carried for less than 500m as part of farming activity. An animal can be carried in a box, cage or bag attached to the back or side of the motorcycle, as long as this does not affect the operation of the motorcycle. An animal must not be tethered to a motorcycle while the motorcycle is moving.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: The fines range from $220-$5,500 depending on the circumstance.

Motorcyclist Carrying a Load

Any load carried on a motorcycle must not project more than 15cm from the front wheel, 30cm from the back wheel, or beyond the extreme outer section of the motorcycle on either side.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A maximum fine of $2,200 if heard in Court.

Motorcyclist riding with Others

A motorcyclist can ride beside only one other rider, and the riders must be 1.5 metres apart from eachother.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A maximum fine of $2,200 if heard in Court.

Miniature Motorcycles 

Miniature motorcycles cannot be ridden on public roads, footpaths or road related areas as they do not meet the required standards for vehicle registration.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A maximum fine of $2,200 if heard in Court.

Lane Filtering and Lane Splitting

Lane filtering, when a motorcyclist travels at a low speed through stopped or slow- moving traffic, is legal. The motorcyclist can travel between:

• 2 lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction as the motorcycle;
• 2 vehicles in separate lanes travelling in the same direction as the motorcycle;
• a vehicle travelling in the same direction as the motorcycle and an adjacent parked vehicle or line of parked vehicles.

Road rules state lane filtering is permitted at speeds of up to 30km/h, when it is “safe to do so”, and unless there is signage stating otherwise. Lane filtering is not permitted between a vehicle and a kerb, in a bicycle lane, or in a school zone during school hours.

Lane splitting, when a motorcyclist travels at a high speed between moving traffic, is illegal.

Penalty for disobeying this rule: A maximum fine of $2,200 if heard in Court.

Which Court Will Hear the Matter?

This offence is a summary offence and will be finalised in the Local Court.

If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.