OXFORD DICTIONARY:
Velocipede: Kinds of light vehicle impelled by rider, (now chiefly historical of obsolete types e.g. hobby, also as general term = CYCLE). From French velocipede. From Latin velox ocis (swift) + pes pedis (foot).
Impelled: Impel, drive forward, propel. From Latin pellere puls (drive).
Cycle: Bicycle, tricycle, or similar machine. From Latin from Greek kuklos(circle).
THE STORY OF THE BICYCLE: by John Woodforde.
The first true bicycle, a two wheeled velocipede that could be ridden with the feet entirely off the ground, appeared in 1839. In that year Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith of Courthill, quietly finished work on a treadle operated two wheeler. It was a significant advance on the hobby horse. The safety bicycle the familiar low machine with a chain drive to the back wheel began to make a tentative showing on the roads in 1884. Safety bicycles fitted with the ever improving pneumatic tyres brought about a change in everyday life. By the middle of the 1890s it was obvious to all that a cycling boom was in progress.
and REGULATIONS for NON-MOTORISED TRANSPORT
QUEENSLAND TRAFFIC ACT 1949 - 1985:
s.9. Interpretation;
"Bicycle" Any vehicle having two wheels and designed for propulsion wholly by human power.
"Carriageway" A road or that portion of a road formed, prepared, or set aside for the use of vehicles. The term is not intended to exclude the use of such a road or such portion of a road by pedestrians when necessary.
"Driver" The person driving or in charge of any vehicle, tram, train, vessel, or animal, and, in relation to a trailer, the person driving or in charge of the vehicle to or by which that trailer is attached or drawn. The term includes the rider of a vehicle or animal and in applying it so as to include the rider of a vehicle or animal the word "drive" and derivatives of that word shall, where used in this act in relation to a vehicle or animal, be read as including "ride" or, as the case requires, the corresponding derivative of "ride".
"Footway" Includes that part of a road set apart for the use of pedestrians and every footway, pavement, lane, thoroughfare, or other part of a road habitually used by pedestrians and not by vehicles. The term is not intended to exclude the use of a footway for the purpose of the crossing thereof at, or substantially at, right angles thereto by any vehicle making entry to or exit from premises.
"Motor Vehicle" Any vehicle propelled or designed for propulsion wholly or partly by gas, motor spirit, oil, electricity, steam, or any other mechanical power. The term includes a motor car, motor cycle, motor omnibus, motor truck, motor utility truck, service omnibus, trolley vehicle, tractor or traction engine, and a trailer attached to or drawn by a motor vehicle.
"Official Traffic Sign" Any sign, signal, marking, light or device, not inconsistent with this Act, placed or erected for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic the design of which and methods, standards and procedures in relation to which (a) are contained in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices; or (b) are approved by the Commissioner of Main Roads.
"Pedestrian" Includes any person walking, running, standing, sitting, or being otherwise in or upon a road.
"Road" Includes any road, street, highway, alley, avenue, lane, thoroughfare, track, carriage way, footway, or subway, whether surveyed or unsurveyed (and all bridges, viaducts, culverts, grids, approaches, crossings, and other things appurtenant thereto) open to or used by the public or to which the public have or are permitted to have access whether on payment of a fee or otherwise.
"Side car" Any attachment for the carriage of passengers or goods, or both passengers and goods, affixed to a velocipede at the side thereof and having a wheel separate and distinct from the wheels of such velocipede. It shall be regarded as forming part of the velocipede to which it is affixed."Stop" When applied to or in respect of any person, vehicle, tram, train, or animal, means to halt and remain halted while thereunto required by lawful authority.
"Traffic" Includes the use by any person of any road or off street regulated parking area, or the presence therein or thereon of any person, vehicle, tram, train, animal, or other movable article or thing whatsoever.
"Tricycle" Any vehicle having three wheels and designed for propulsion wholly by human power.
"Vehicle" Includes any articulated vehicle, barrow, cab, car, carriage, cart, dray, hand cart, lorry, motor vehicle, multi wheeled vehicle, omnibus, tractor or traction engine, trailer, trolly vehicle, truck, van, VELOCIPEDE, wagon or other means of transport or conveyance whatsoever designed for movement upon wheels, whether or not such vehicle is or is not for the time being capable of being operated or used in a normal manner, but does not include a tram or a train.
s.16. Driving, etc., whilst under influence of liquor or drugs or with prescribed concentration of alcohol in blood.
(7) Any person who whilst he is under the influence of liquor or a drug drives or is in charge of any horse or other animal on a road, or drives or is in charge of any vehicle (other than a motor vehicle) on a road, or attempts to put in motion any vehicle (other than a motor vehicle) on a road, is guilty of an offence.
s.18. Dangerous driving of vehicles (other than motor vehicles), etc.
(1) Any person who drives a vehicle (other than a motor vehicle), a tram, a train or an animal on a road dangerously shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such penalty and imprisonment.
The term "drives a vehicle (other than a motor vehicle), a tram, a train or an animal dangerously includes the driving of a vehicle (other than a motor vehicle), a tram, a train or an animal at a speed or in a manner dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition and use of the road and the amount of traffic which is on the road at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be on the road.
(2) Any person who drives a vehicle (other than a motor vehicle), a tram, a train, or animal on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road shall be guilty of an offence.
THE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS l962.
r.4.
(1)(e) Bicycle lane: A length of marked lane on a carriageway defined by a bicycle way sign at the beginning and an end bicycle way sign at the end, such signs being erected adjacent to or above the marked lne on the carriageway so as to face the approaching drivers.
Bicycle path: A way or path, other than a bicycle lane, defined by a bicycle way sign at the beginning and (a) an end bicycle way sign.(b) a shared footway sign. (c) a segregated footway sign, or (d) a carriageway, at the end, each of such signs being erected adjacent to the way so as to face an approaching rider of a bicycle or tricycle.
Bicycle prohibition sign: An official traffic sign to indicate a point beyond which bicycles or tricycles shall not proceed. (l995, amended to mean, a point beyond which bicycles or tricycles shall not be ridden but may be wheeled).
Bicycle way sign: An official traffic sign erected or displayed adjacent to or above a bicycle lane or bicycle path so as to face an approaching driver to indicate a bicycle lane or path.
r.32A. [bicycles are not "motor vehicles"]
(1) Subject to subregulation (2) of this regulation [turning movements]
a driver of a motor vehicle other than-----
(i) a motor vehicle carrying three or more persons (including the driver);
(ii) an omnibus;
(iii) a vehicle licenced to carry passengers for hire or reward;
(iv) a motor cycle; or
(v) an emergency vehicle,
shall not drive his vehicle in a transit lane.
r.32B. [bicycles are not "motor vehicles"]
(1) Subject to subregulation (2) of this regulation [turning movements] a driver of a motor vehicle other than an omnibus, a motor vehicle which is at the material time being used under the authority of a licence to hire--taxi-meter cab or licence to hire--exempted cab, licence to hire--private car hire issued under the State Transport Act 1960-1981, or an emergency vehicle shall not drive his vehicle in a bus lane.
r.32C. Bicycle lanes and bicycle paths.
(1) The driver of a vehicle other than a bicycle or tricycle shall not drive his vehicle in a bicycle lane or upon a bicycle path. (2) Subregulation (1) of this Regulation shall not apply to:
(a) the driver of an emergency vehicle.
(b) the driver of a public utility service vehicle.
(c) the driver of an omnibus or a vehicle licenced to carry passengers forhire or reward, who intends to stop his vehicle to pick up or set down passengers and who enters a bicycle lane within 50 metres of where he intends to stop his vehicle for the purpose specified and leaves such bicycle lane within 50 metres of the place where the vehicle was stopped.
(d) the driver of a vehicle which is being driven directly across a bicycle lane or bicycle path for the purpose of entering or leaving a private driveway, loading dock or other place provided for the access of vehicles between a road and any adjacentt premises or place.
(e) the driver of a vehicle which is being driven across a bicycle lane for the purpose of parking, stopping or standing upon the carriageway in accordance with these regulations; or
(f) the driver of a vehicle who indicates his intention to turn and who
turns left or right from the carriageway of which a bicycle lane forms part, at or before the next intersection.
r.44. Right turns.
(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Regulation, a person riding a bicycle or tricycle who is about to make or is making a right hand turn at an intersection may:
(a) approach such intersection parallel to and as near as practicable to the left boundary of the carriageway or bicycle lane he is about to leave
(b) enter the intersection and keep as near as practicable to the prolongation of the left boundary of the carriageway he is in and take up a position as near as practicable to the prolongation of the left boundary of the carriageway he is abount to enter; and
(c) turn his vehicle to the right and proceed to leave the intersection: Provided that:
(i) where any traffic control light signal is erected and operating at the intersection, the person riding the bicycle or tricycle shall wait before proceeding to leave the intersection until the traffic control light signal is displaying a green circle applicable to him in respect of the carriageway he is about to enter;
(ii) where any traffic control light signal erected at an intersection displays intermittent single amber flashes or is not operating or where there are no traffic control light signals erected at the intersection, the person riding the bicycle or tricycle shall give way to any other vehicle which has entered or is approaching the intersection.
r.82. Warning device.
(1) When a vehicle required by these regulations to have a warning device affixed thereto is approaching any person or vehicle upon any road under such circumstances as to constitute a source of danger to such person or vehicle, the driver of the firstmentioned vehicle shall give audible and sufficient warning of the approach of his vehicle by sounding the warning device affixed thereto.
(2) A person shall not upon any road:
(a) make any unnessary noise with the warning device affixed to any vehicle; or
(b) use any warning device affixed to any vehicle except as a warning of danger.
r.83. Restricting certain warning devices.
A person shall not upon any road drive:
(b) any bicycle equipped with a warning device other than a bell.
Schedule to Part 13. Division 5. Bicycles, etc special provisions.
95.(1) Every bicycle, tricycle, handcart, barrow or other similar vehicle propelled or designed for propulsion by human power:
(a) Upon a central part of the front thereof, a lamp which when lighted shows a bright white light to the front;
(b) Upon the rear thereof, a lamp which when lighted shows a clear red light to the rear, and a reflector, in respect of which lamp and reflector the conditions applicable thereto prescribed hereunder are complied with.
(2) (a) In the case of a bicycle, the rear lamp shall be affixed upon the rear stay which is on the right hand or off side of the bicycle, or upon the rear of any rear mudguard or upon the right hand off side of any rear axle, and the reflector shall be affixed in any one of the aforesaid positions.
(b) Neither the lamp nor the reflector shall be affixed in a position which is higher than the rim of the rear wheel where it passes between the stays.
(c) The lamp and reflector shall be so affixed that no part of the bicycle projects more than 510 millimetres to the rear of such lamp and reflector.
(3) Every bicycle other than competition or one of a kind bicycles and those having a wheel base of less than 640 millimetres, manufactured on or after 1st July 1986, shall be fitted with rear, side and pedal reflectors as provided for in Australian Standard 1927 1978 Pedal Bicycles. All reflectors shall comply with Australian Standard 2141 1978 Reflectors for Pedal Bicycles.
96. Brake requirement. Every bicycle and tricycle: An efficient brake capable of stopping and holding the vehicle.
97. Warning device. Every bicycle and tricycle:© A bell capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of the approach and location of such bicycle or tricycle, and so positioned as to enable it to be operated by the driver from his normal driving position.
98. Rear mudguard to be white. Every bicycle and tricycle: A rear mudguard the rear half of which is coloured white.
Part 14. Bicycles and animals.
r.93. Riding bicycles.
(1) A person riding a bicycle shall not ride otherwise than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
(2) A person shall not use a bicycle to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(3) A person shall not ride a bicycle without having at least one hand on the handlebars.
(4) A person shall not ride a bicycle within 2 metres from the rear of a motor vehicle over a distance of more than 200 metres.
(5) A person shall not ride a bicycle while carrying any article, the carriage of which is likely to interfere with his control of such bicycle.
r.94. Towing of bicycles.
(1) A person riding a bicycle shall not attach himself to or permit himself to be drawn by any other vehicle.
(2) The driver of a vehicle shall not permit a person riding a bicycle to attach himself to or be drawn by the vehicle of such driver.
Part 18. Miscellaneous.
r.148. Casting of throwing things upon roads.
A person shall not upon any road cast or drop anything from a moving vehicle so as to injure or be likely to injure any person or animal or damage or be likely to damage any property.
r.150. Removal of glass or loading falling upon road.
If, from any collision or other incident, any piercing substance such as broken glass, or any loading falls from any vehicle upon any road it shall be the duty of the driver of the vehicle, or, if there be more than one vehicle involved, the drivers of such vehicles, to remove or cause to be removed immediately such substance or loading from such road provided that the driver or drivers aforesaid is or are not physically incapacitated from such task by reason of such collision or other incident and, in the event of such driver or drivers being so physically incapacitated, the duty shall then devolve upon any person removing the vehicle or vehicles from the scene of the collision or other incident.
r.157. Driving abreast.
(1) A person shall not upon a road drive a vehicle abreast of any other vehicle being driven in the same direction as the firstmentioned vehicle upon that road: Provided that this subregulation shall not apply :
(d) To the riding of a bicycle abreast of not more than one other bicycle.
(e) To the riding of bicycles upon a carriageway set aside exclusively for bicycles.
r.159. Driving on footway or reservation.
(1) A person shall not drive a vehicle upon a footway except when driving directly across that footway for the purpose of entering or leaving a private driveway, loading dock, or other place provided for access of vehicles between a road and any adjacent premises or place.
(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person riding a bicycle or tricycle if the person:
(a) takes reasonable precautions to avoid colliding with persons and things on the footway; and
(b) rides in such a way as not to cause danger or an obstruction to persons and things on the footway.
r.159A. Bicycles on segregated footways, shared footways, bicycle paths and bicycle lanes.
(1)(a) Wherever a bicycle lane is provided on a carriageway and is in reasonable condition for use, a rider of a bicycle or tricycle travelling along that carriageway shall where practicable, use that bicycle lane.
(b) A person riding a bicycle or tricycle upon a bicycle lane shall not permit any part of his vehicle to cross a line marked upon the carriageway to separate such bicycle lane from any other portion of the carriageway unless:
(i) it is safe to do so; and
(ii) the person has signalled his intention to do so as required by these Regulations.
(c) A person riding a bicycle or tricycle upon a bicycle lane shall travel only in the direction of the traffic flow in the adjacent lane unless the contrary is indicated by an official traffic sign.
(2) A person riding a bicycle or tricycle upon a bicycle lane or bicycle path shall keep his vehicle as close as practicable to the left boundary of such bicycle lane or bicycle path.
(3) When overtaking a moving vehicle upon a bicycle lane or path, a person riding a bicycle or tricycle shall:
(a) pass to the right of that vehicle at a safe distance unless the vehicle to be overtaken is making or apparently about to make a right hand turn, in which case the person riding the bicycle or tricycle may pass to the left thereof and shall not pass to the right thereof.
(b) indicate his intention to overtake as prescribed in Regulation 45 of these Regulations.
(c) not ride in front of the vehicle overtaken until his bicycle or tricycle is safely clear.
(4) A person riding a bicycle or tricycle on a segregated footway shall not ride that bicycle on the portion of the footway which corresponds to the side of the segregated footway sign applicable to the rider's direction of travel on which a symbol of a person is depicted.
(5) A person riding a bicycle or tricycle upon a shared footway shall give way to any pedestrian entering or upon that shared footway.
(6) A person riding a bicycle or tricycle upon a shared footway, segregated footway or bicycle path shall, when passing a bicycle travelling in the opposite direction, keep left of that bicycle or tricycle.
r.159C. Safety helmets for users of cycles.
(1) A person who:
(a) rides a bicycle or tricycle on a road or bicycle path; or
(b) is a passenger on a bicycle or tricycle being ridden on a road or bicycle path;
must wear a safety helmet.