The minimum passing distance in a 60 km/h zone when overtaking a bicycle rider is at least 1 metre between your vehicle and the rider.

Quick Scoop

In many Australian states and territories, as well as other regions with similar road rules, the law is clear:

  • In zones up to and including 60 km/h : you must leave at least 1 metre when passing a bicycle rider.
  • In zones over 60 km/h : the minimum distance increases to 1.5 metres.

A practical example:
If you are driving in a signed 60 km/h area and want to overtake a cyclist, you must not pass closer than 1 metre , even if that means slowing down and waiting for a safe gap in oncoming traffic before moving a little over the centre line.

Why this rule exists

  • Bicycle riders have far less physical protection than vehicle occupants and are more likely to be seriously injured in a collision.
  • A sudden wobble, pothole, or gust of wind can cause a rider to move sideways, so the extra buffer space is designed to prevent a minor deviation from becoming a crash.

Simple rule to remember

  • 60 km/h or less → at least 1 m.
  • Over 60 km/h → at least 1.5 m.

If you are ever unsure, leave more space and wait until it is clearly safe to pass.

TL;DR:
In a 60 km/h zone, you must leave a minimum of 1 metre when passing a bicycle rider (and 1.5 metres in zones above 60 km/h).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.