Know the rules
Cycling is a past time that has its own set of inherent risks. And some of those risks involve sharing the road with motor vehicle users. It was both tragic and ironic that during New Zealand's recent national week of cycling awareness, two cyclists were killed and three others seriously injured.
During the same period one of Australia's most talented triathletes,
Annabel Luxford, was struck while on a training ride in Brisbane. Annabel
was not seriously injured when a motorist failed to notice her cycling on
the road and 'smacked' into her. Her bike, on the other hand, was crumpled
beyond repair.
Cyclists will always come off second best in any conflict with a motor vehicle. And that's a fact. How to educate both cyclists and motorists on the effective sharing of road space has been widely debated and while a set of rules for road use by both parties exists, but that does not mean that everyone is informed.
To make sure that you are informed of a cyclist's road use obligations and rights I have included a link to the Australian Road Rules handbook which has a section specifically for bike riders. Update your cyclists' road rules knowledge here.