Bicycle riders can use a variety of infrastructure. There are a number of road rules that help everyone stay safe, wherever you choose to ride.
Who can ride on a footpath
You can ride on a footpath if you:
- are a child under the age of 13
- are a person 13 and over who is accompanying a child under the age of 13
- are an adult 18 or over who is cycling with a young child in a child seat attached to their bicycle, or with a child pedalling on a bike attachment at the back of an adult bicycle
- have been given and are following the conditions on a medical certificate that says you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to ride on the road. You need to follow the conditions on your medical certificate and show it to a police officer or authorised person when asked are an adult accompanying someone with a medical certificate cycling on a footpath.
Riding on a footpath or shared path
When riding on a footpaths and shared paths, a bicycle rider needs to:
- Keep to the left on footpaths and shared paths (unless impractical to do so)
- Give way to pedestrians
A cyclist is required to have a bell or similar warning device on his or her bicycle. When overtaking other path users a cyclist should use this warning device, or his or her voice to warn others.
Bicycle paths
Bicycle paths are two-way off-road paths dedicated for bicycle rider use. Bicycle riders must ride to the left of the path (unless impractical to do so).
Separated footpaths.
A separated footpath provides separate space for pedestrians and bicycle riders. The rider of a bicycle must not ride on the part of a separated footpath designated for the use of pedestrians.
On-road bicycle riding
You don't have to use an off-road bicycle path, separated footpaths or shared paths (if there is one) when riding a bike. You can choose to ride on the road instead if you wish (eg local roads, arterial roads, multi-lane roads). But you cannot ride on urban freeways (see freeway advice below).
Bicycle lanes
If there’s a bicycle lane on the road heading in the same direction as you, you must use this when riding a bike (unless it’s not practical to do so).
Bicycle lane rules for drivers
If you’re driving a car, you’re not allowed to drive in a bike lane unless:
- you’re driving for 50 metres or less to:
- enter or leave the road
- to turn at an intersection
- overtake a vehicle that’s turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road
- avoid an obstruction(e.g. a broken-down vehicle)
- get from one part of the road to another
- enter the traffic stream after being parked on the side of the road
- pick up or drop off passengers (if you’re driving a public bus, public minibus or taxi)
- there's a sign indicating that vehicles can use the lane.
You must give way to cyclists already in the bicycle lane.
Bike riders in bus lanes
From 1 July 2017 cyclists can ride in a bus lane unless otherwise signed. Safety tips for bike riding in bus lanes:
- Keep to the left of the bus lane
- Give way to buses at all times
- Wait behind the bus if it is coming to a stop and do not overtake or undertake it.
- Bike riders travelling in a bus lane can proceed on the 'B-signal' during bus lane operating hours. Outside the bus lane operating hours, only buses can proceed on the 'B-signal'.
- Be alert at bus stops and watch out for passengers getting on and off buses, stop behind the bus until it has moved off.
- Be alert to other road users entering the bus lane, eg at an intersection or to turn off the road
- Before changing lanes and turning, always scan behind and signal your intentions to other road users.
- If there is a bike lane beside the bus lane, a bike rider must use the bike lane.
- Using a hook turn can be a safer way to turn right.
- Take extra care when cycling at night. Wear bright or light coloured clothing and reflective strips, use front and rear bike lights.
- Bright or light coloured clothing and flashing lights during daylight can also improve safety
- Choosing a less busy parallel road or path where it exists may be a safer option.
Riding on freeways
Bikes are allowed on the shoulders of some rural freeways, but they're not allowed on:
- urban freeways
- freeways or other roads with a sign showing that bicycles aren't allowed.
Bicycle boxes at intersections
A bicycle box is an area of road at an intersection with one or more bicycle symbols painted on the road between two stop lines. This area is reserved for cyclists to stop in when faced with a red light.
When stopping in a bicycle box, cyclists need to stop before the second line of the box.
When turning at an intersection with a bicycle box in front of all traffic lanes, cyclists should:
- turn left from the section of the bicycle box in front of the left lane
- turn right from the section of the bicycle box in front of the right lane.
Bicycle box rules for drivers
When facing a red light, drivers must stop before the first stop line and not move into the bicycle box until the lights turn green.
Turning right using a hook turn at intersections
Bike riders can make a hook turn to turn right at any intersection (unless there are signs restricting this).
When performing a hook turn consider the following:
- Avoid sitting in front of a dedicated left turn only lane when you cross to the far side of the intersection, make sure you are in front of a straight on lane.
- Avoid sitting in front of a truck when you cross to the far side of the intersection, as many large vehicles cannot see in front of them, particularly if they are high up and have large front bonnets.
- Wear a brightly coloured top or reflective vest to make yourself seen.
- Always use front and back lights at night and at times of low light.
In some locations, particularly in the Melbourne CBD, hook turns are obligatory for all vehicles, including bike riders. These intersections carry special 'Right turn from left only' signs. Watch the following video to see how hook turns work in these locations.
Using the same method, bike riders can choose to use a hook turn at any intersection, unless signed otherwise.
When doing a hook turn, examine the lanes approaching the intersection to your left, and place your bike safely in front of stopped traffic that will be moving straight across the intersection, avoid any dedicated left turn lanes.
Signs and signals
Cyclists must follow all traffic control signs and signals including: 
- red lights
- stop signs
- give way signs.
At crossings, if there is a bicycle lantern, cyclists can continue riding across when the lantern is green. For any other pedestrian crossings, cyclists must dismount and walk across the road.
Tram Stops
When there isn't a safety zone and the tram doors on your side of the road are open, cyclists must stop at the rear of the tram until the doors close and the road is free of pedestrians. Once the tram's doors are closed and all pedestrians have left the road, you can cycle pass the tram.