A limited number of free brochures and leaflets are available from the Department's reception area, at 441 Murray Street, Perth.
Most bike shops also carry a range of these publications and low resolution copies can be downloaded from the Publications or Maps and guidessections of this website.
Arrangements for sponsored events are made many months in advance. If you would like to apply for sponsorship, application forms are available at Sponsorships and grants.
Please consult the appropriate map in the Perth Bike Map series, which are available at bike shops and at Maps and guides.
The green and blue routes on the Perth Bike Map Series are the recommended roads to use. Blue routes are signed routes that connect local areas and the green routes identify a low-stress road environment.
Please be aware that just because a route is blue does not necessarily mean it will be comfortable riding all the time.
The maps are available at most bike shops and low resolution versions can be found at Maps and guides.
6. What are the rules about taking bikes on trains?
The rules for taking bicycles on all of Transperth’s services are continually evolving in response to customer needs and changing numbers of passengers on the various train lines.
To view the latest information on these rules and bicycle lockers please visit the Transperth website or phone 9326 2383.
7. How do I get sponsorship for my event (outside of Bikeweek)?
Bikewest is always keen to be involved in activities that encourage people to cycle.
If you would like to apply for sponsorship for your event, please view our sponsorship guidelines and complete a request for sponsorship application form if your event complies
9. What are the rules about carrying bikes on the back of a vehicle?
It is legal to use a bike rack on a vehicle, but it is illegal to obscure the vehicle's number plate and rear warning lights, because this would be in breach of Regulation 25 of the Road Traffic (Licensing) Regulations 1975.
The WA Traffic Code 2000 regulation 25 states:
Number plate to be fixed on vehicle
(1) The owner or person in charge of a vehicle shall rigidly fix and keep the identification tablet or number plates of the vehicle thereon so that:
(a) in the case of a motor cycle or a trailer or jinker, the identification tablet or number plate is fixed and kept in a conspicuous place on the back of the vehicle, in an upright position and so that the characters thereon are clearly visible and legible, by day and by night;
(b) in the case of a motor vehicle not referred to in paragraph (a), where the identification tablet or number plate is duplicated, one is fixed and kept in a conspicuous place in front, and one is fixed and kept in a conspicuous place on the back of the vehicle, in an upright position and so that the characters thereon are clearly visible and legible by day and by night;
This means that you must ensure that the number plate remains readable when a bike is being carried on your vehicle.
Bikewest is currently involved in a review of the legislation relating to this matter and will post information on its website in the near future.
To keep updated on changes to cycling legislation register on our mail-out database.
10. What are the rules about cycling on footpaths?
A rider of a bicycle who is 12 years of age or older shall not ride on a footpath that is not a shared path or a separated footpath.
People over the age of 12 are not allowed to ride on a path unless it is signed as a shared path, by means of pedestrian and bicycle logos, but this rule is currently under review.
11. What are the rules about reflectors on a bike?
According to the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Regulations 2002, a bicycle must have a red reflector of at least 38mm in diameter affixed at all times to the rear of the bike, mounted at a height not less than 330mm or higher than 1m.
If a bicycle is ridden in the hours between sunset and sunrise it must also have two yellow reflectors fitted to each wheel and yellow reflectors on the front and back of both pedals, as per the Australian Standard AS 2142/1978 (Specification for Reflectors for Pedal Bicycles).
If you are unsure if your bicycle complies with the standards, see your local bicycle dealer for assistance.
12. What are the rules about lights and other equipment on Bikes?
Bicycles being ridden between the hours of sunset and sunrise must have at least one bicycle light attached on both the front and rear of the bike that is visible from a distance of 200m.
The WA Traffic Code 2000 regulation 224 states:
Lights and other equipment on bicycles
(1) A person shall not ride a bicycle during the hours of darkness, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle, or the rider, displays (a) a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the front of the bicycle; (b) a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the rear of the bicycle; and (c) a red reflector that is clearly visible for at least 50 m from the rear of the bicycle when light is projected onto it by a vehicle’s headlight on low-beam.
(2) A person shall not ride a bicycle that does not have - (a) at least one effective brake; and (b) a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in working order.
13. Can I use electric or powered cycles on shared paths?
The WA Traffic Code 2000 does not allow for persons under the age of 16 years old to ride a power assisted pedal cycle with the power assistance engaged.
Power assisted pedal cycles must not be ridden on a shared path when the motor is engaged.
Explained simply, a powered bicycle is defined as a bicycle only when the power is not engaged. As soon as the power is operating it is no longer defined as a bicycle and therefore cannot legally be used on a shared path.
Attempts are being made to amend the WA Traffic Code to allow power assisted bicycles (up to a certain power ratio) to be operated on shared paths.
14. Do I have to wear a helmet? How do I get an exemption?
By law all cyclists must wear a protective helmet that is of a standard approved by the Director General of the Department.
However, exceptions may apply to certain people, such as a person who has a medical problem or a member of a religious or cultural group who must wear a headdress, that makes it impractical to wear a protective helmet, but all exemptions must be received in writing from the Director General.
To obtain an exemption, the cyclist must first write to the Occupational Health Physician, C/- Department of Transport, GPO Box C102 Perth 6839, giving their full name, date of birth and address, and requesting that an application form be sent to them.
The cyclist must have the application form completed by a medical practitioner, stating why an exemption is required, then return it to the Department, from where it will be sent to the Occupational Health Physician for approval.
If approval is granted, the cyclist will receive written confirmation and this must be kept on hand at all times while riding.
15. Do you have information on the costs of bike parking devices and lockers and/or details of an Australian supplier/manufacturer?
Bikewest is not in a position to recommend particular manufacturers, but can supply you with details of bike parking devices and lockers if you email us.
It should be noted you can find the information you need to design your own facility on the Bicycle Victoria website.
16. Is there a company that offers third-party property insurance to cyclists?
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has made arrangements to provide third party insurance cover for their members. For more details see the BTA's web site.
However, you can contact us for a list of private operators that run bike education programs on a fee-paying basis, either at a school or at a different venue.
The School Drug Education and Road Aware's Challenges and Choices resource, which has been distributed free to all schools in Western Australia, has bicycle, pedestrian and passenger safety, sensing traffic and safe travel practices as the key focus areas in the road safety education package.
Copies of this booklet may be purchased from School Drug Education and Road Aware, C/- Department of Education and Training, 151 Royal Street, East Perth, WA 6004. Ph: (08) 9264 4743 Fax: (08) 9264 4903 Web: http://www.sdera.wa.edu.au/ .
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)