Five new road rules are taking effect for motorists and cyclists this weekend - so do you know what they are?

  • Victorian cyclists and motorists will be faced with new road rules starting July 1
  • The new rules contain five changes you need to know about if you're in Victoria
  • Cars, buses, bicycles and emergency vehicles will all be affected by the changes
  • The lack of notice about these major changes has caused concern at the RACV

By SAM DUNCAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Road users in Victoria will be faced with five major rule changes starting this Saturday, but some are concerned that not enough notice has been given.

Starting July 1 cyclists and motorists will need to be aware that a 40km/h speed limit applies when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicles.

Cyclists will also face on-the-spot fines for using their phones while riding, new give-way rules will apply at crossings with bicycle crossing lights, and empty bicycle carriers on vehicles will now be allowed.

Cyclists will be hit with hefty on-the-spot fines for using their mobile phones while riding

Cyclists will be hit with hefty on-the-spot fines for using their mobile phones while riding

A 40km/h speed limit will apply to motorists passing stationary or slow-moving police vehicles, emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles and escort vehicles

A 40km/h speed limit will apply to motorists passing stationary or slow-moving police vehicles, emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles and escort vehicles

The Five New Rules

1. Motorists must now give way to cyclists at intersections when bicycle crossing light is green.

2. A 40km/h speed limit applies when passing a stationary police, emergency, enforcement, and escort vehicles with flashing lights or sounding an alarm.

3. Riding a bicycle and driving a coach in bus lane is now permitted.

4. Rule restricting mobile phone use now applies to cyclists, people travelling in or on wheeled recreational devices, and drivers of vehicles that are not motor vehicles.

5. Removed rule that vehicle must not be driven with an empty bicycle carrier attached.

From VicRoads 

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Coaches and cyclists will also be permitted to use bus lanes.

The new rules have sneaked up on road users, with a RACV spokesman expressing concerns about the length of notice given,News.com.au reports.

RACV Roads and Traffic Manager Dave Jones says that people need more time to adjust to the new regulations, and has called for more community consultation.

'RACV has listened to its members and believes VicRoads needs to provide more notice to the Victorian community about any changes to the road rules, and publicise the changes well in advance of them coming into effect,' he said.

Jones also called for a change to the rule requiring drivers to slow to 40km/h around emergency vehicles, saying they should not apply to vehicles stopped in service roads.

'The slow down requirement of the rule applies in relation to emergency or enforcement vehicles in service roads, but not when the emergency vehicle is on the other side of a median strip.'

The new rules come into effect on Saturday July 1, and allow cyclists and coaches to use bus lanes

The new rules come into effect on Saturday July 1, and allow cyclists and coaches to use bus lanes

Drivers must now give way to cyclists riding across crossings at a green bicycle crossing light.

Drivers must now give way to cyclists riding across crossings at a green bicycle crossing light.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan defended the new regulations, saying that they were aimed at making roads safer.

The Victorian Government stated that the rule relating to the speed limit was developed over 18 months, via consultation with a number of enforcement agencies, emergency services, and other groups.

The new laws take effect across Victoria on July 1.

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