Sharing the road: Making roads safer for drivers and cyclists

Sharing the road safely is imperative for cyclists and drivers alike. Everyone has the same right to use the road and the same responsibility to help keep it safe.

Cyclist safety remains an ongoing concern on our roads. According to the Australian Government’s Annual Trauma report for 2015-2024, pedal cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users on Australian roads. While cyclists account for only 3% of road deaths, they represent 17% of hospitalised road crash injuries, highlighting the significant risk of serious injury when a collision occurs.

These concerns are warranted, with 85% of cyclist collisions involving another vehicle. Common bike accidents include: 

• the cyclist being sideswiped by an approaching vehicle
• “dooring”, the term used when a cyclist collides with a vehicle door suddenly opening in front of them
• when the cyclist is hit from behind
• when another vehicle fails to give way to a cyclist

Keeping our cyclists safer on the road

Drivers need to understand how vulnerable cyclists are on the road. The most recent Annual Trauma Report shows that cyclists account for a high share of hospitalised road injuries. Even a low impact collision can result in life-changing physical and psychological injuries for a cyclist.

Road trauma continues to have a devastating impact across Australia. In 2024, 1,300 people lost their lives on Australian roads, an increase of 42 deaths compared to the previous year. While fatalities have been increasing since 2020, there are also around 30 times as many hospitalised injuries as road deaths, demonstrating the broader human cost of road crashes.

When cyclists are injured: Paul's story

Paul* sustained a broken wrist when a car suddenly pulled out in front of him while he was cycling down the road. Because Paul’s case was against a car driver who failed to give way, we acted for him in a common law damages claim with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). He received payment of medical expenses, lost wages, and a lump sum payment for future economic loss and pain and suffering.

Paul’s wrist is still painful, and this, together with ongoing psychological injuries , means he's unable to cope with the demanding job he had prior to the accident.

This is an example of how important it is for drivers and cyclists to share the roads safely. It’s not about who's to blame; it’s about taking care and looking out for each other on the roads.

*Real name has been changed.

If a cyclist is injured in a road accident, the legal support varies depending on the type of accident:

• if a cyclist and a vehicle collide, the cyclist may be covered under their state’s road compensation scheme, such as the TAC in Victoria
• if they collide with another cyclist or pedestrian, they are usually not covered under their state’s compensation scheme unless they have their own cycling insurance, in which case they may be able to make a cycling accident claim against this insurance
• if the cyclist suffers long-term injuries in an accident that doesn’t involve a vehicle and it isn’t their fault (hitting a pothole, for example), they may be able to make a public liability claim
• if the cyclist is injured, regardless of fault, they may also be able to claim against their superannuation’s income protection or total and permanent disability insurance        

Making the roads safer for everyone

Creating safer roads for cyclists and drivers requires a combination of better infrastructure, education, and mutual respect. The following measures could help improve safety for all road users:

• Creating cyclist-friendly roads: Better cycling infrastructure is needed to keep our roads safe for everyone. For example, barriers or physical separation between cyclists and the traffic help remind car drivers that there are cyclists around.
• All road users have a role to play: Safer roads rely on everyone understanding and following the road rules. Whether travelling by bike, car, motorcycle, or on foot, being responsible and aware of others helps reduce the risk of collisions and injuries.

All road users, cyclists and drivers alike, share the same goal when using our roads: getting home safely each day.

If you've been involved in a bicycle accident or a collision with a vehicle, seek legal advice to help understand your potential options for entitlements and compensation.