If you ride a bicycle in Australia, you’re not just enjoying fresh air and fitness - you’re also a road user who agrees to certain legal obligations. One of the most common questions among cyclists is whether you can be fined for riding without lights.
The short answer: yes - in most states and territories you can be fined if you ride your bike at night or in low visibility conditions without proper lights. Read on to learn about the rules and penalties in each state.
What are the rules for Bike Lights?
Across Australia, cyclists are generally governed by the Australian Road Rules (a model set of rules adopted by all states and territories) and by each state’s own laws. Under these rules:
- Cyclists must have lights when riding at night or in hazardous conditions (like fog or heavy rain). Typically, this means a white front light and a red rear light visible from at least 200 metres, plus a red rear reflector visible from at least 50 metres when light is projected onto it.
- Lights can usually be steady or flashing, as long as they meet visibility requirements.
- Failing to display the required lights can lead to an infringement notice (a fine) because cyclists are considered road users with similar responsibilities to motorists.
What are the penalties for riding without lights?
Under the national model (e.g. Australian Road Rules rule 259), riding a bicycle at night without required lights can attract a maximum penalty of up to 20 penalty units. A “penalty unit” is a statutory monetary unit that varies in value by state (often indexed annually).
Although that represents the maximum possible penalty under the law, in practice most fines are much lower and set as specific infringement amounts by each state or territory.
- Queensland: Failing to display lights at night or in hazardous weather: $166 on-the-spot fine.
- Western Australia: Failure to have correct lighting: $100 infringement.
- Victoria: Cyclists must use lights at night and in low light. Penalty amounts vary but are commonly several hundred dollars (sources report typical infringements ranging from around $231 to $925 depending on the specific offence and indexing).
- South Australia: Riding at night without lights is an offence with infringement fines (historically low like ~$70, though this may vary with indexation).
- New South Wales: The Australian Road Rules apply here too; cyclists must have lights at night, and fines (often expressed per penalty unit) apply. Rule 259 states a maximum of 20 penalty units — though specific on-the-spot fine amounts (e.g. ~$140 or more) are commonly used in practice.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Separate regulations prescribe about $44 fines for failing to display front/rear lights or reflectors (20 penalty units converted to an infringement rate).
- Tasmania & Northern Territory: Both jurisdictions typically have fines similar to other states (often ~$100+).
Yes, nobody likes getting a fine - but keeping your bike well-lit isn’t just about avoiding punishment, it’s a matter of safety for you (the rider) and other road/path users.
Regular riders should have a good quality set of rechargeable front/rear lights always ready for use near where they store their bike. You don't always need lights in Summer, but it's very easy to be caught out when the days shorten in Autumn.
It's also good practice to always have a small spare set of charged lights in your riding bag or on your bike in case you forget your main set or they go flat.
Be safe, be seen! Shop lights.
