It is compulsory to wear a correctly fitted approved helmet when riding a bike in NSW.

This applies to all bicycle riders, regardless of age, including children on bicycles with training wheels and any child being carried as a passenger on a bike or in a trailer.

Some road rules apply specifically to bicycle riders. For example, bicycle riders are allowed to:

• Ride two abreast, no more than 1.5 m apart
• Overtake on the left hand side of stopped or slow moving vehicles
• Travel in Bus Lanes and Transit Lanes
• Ride on the footpath if less than 12 years old
• Ride on the footpath if you are an adult riding with, and supervising, an under 12 year old
• Turn right from the left hand lane of a multi-lane roundabout with the proviso that you give way to traffic exiting the roundabout before you
• Travel on road shoulders.

Bicycle riders cannot:

• Ride across unsignalised pedestrian crossings
• Ride across signalised crossings unless there are special bicycle lights
• Travel in Bus Only Lanes.

Bicycle lanes are indicated by a special sign.

Where bicycle lanes are provided, riders must use them whenever practicable.

Your bicycle must have:

• At least one working brake
• A bell or horn to help sound a warning to other cyclists or pedestrians.

If riding at night, your bicycle must also have:

• A steady or flashing white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres
• A flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bike
• A red rear reflector that is clearly visible for 50 metres when light is projected onto it by a vehicle's headlight on low beam

Failing to obey road or bicycle rules may result in a fine.

Road Users' Handbook - The Road Users Handbook explains the main rules which apply to all road users and must be read and understood if you want to hold a driver licence in NSW and is available in a number of languages.

The legal alcohol limit in NSW for all learner and provisional (P1 and P2) licence holders is zero.