Often when we talk about cyclists, we focus on the fact that riders out there have the same protection on the road as vehicles. The flip side of this usually goes unmentioned, that cyclists also have the same responsibilities. KSL featured a story last week where reporter Mike Headrick caught cyclist after cyclist cruising through school bus’ stop signs, often at high speeds. With the weather warming up, more and more people are dusting off their bikes for a great summer of riding, and its vital that they understand the rules of the road for their safety and the safety of those around them.
We here at Christensen and Hymas have a great relationship with KSL, and they called me to help illuminate some of the things that are expected of cyclists. Now, except for a few notable exceptions, cyclists should follow all the same rules as vehicles. These exceptions include the ability to cross in crosswalks, pass traffic on the right, cross at a red light when they are unable to trigger the light to change, and ride on a sidewalk. Now if there is a bike lane, use it! I know that sounds simple, but it often goes overlooked. If you are going slower than the flow of traffic, and there is no bike lane, stay as close the right side of the road as possible.
The reason vehicles must obey the law is for safety, but also so other people on the road know what to expect so everyone can share the road. The same goes for cyclists, and that’s the reason for KSL featuring this on the evening news. I’m positive most, if not all, of cyclists are not out there purposefully breaking the law, they simply are uneducated about what is required of them.
Some of the bicycle specific rules that many people don’t know about include
- Just like vehicles, cyclists must always yield to Pedestrians
- In Salt Lake County, cyclists must be licensed through the police department. It only costs $1, and helps in case of an accident or theft.
- Also in Salt Lake County, parents are responsible for damages, tickets, etc. if their children break the rules. Educate them as well, it will lesson your liability, and make you kids safer bikers.
- Just like cars, bikes must signal their turns. Some bikes now have blinkers but most don’t, so learn hand signals. Let other people on the road, know what you are doing without having to guess.
When you are on the right side of traffic, use your left arm to signal, as this is closest to the drivers and will allow them to see clearly what you are doing. Straight out and parallel to the road is turning left, an upward facing 90° is turning right, and a downwards 90° is intent to stop. Using these signals will keep you safer, and let other riders and drivers know what to expect from you.
In Utah alone, there are over 900 accidents and 6 deaths a year from bicycle accidents. Many of these could have been prevented if everyone on the road knew and followed the rules. If you have questions about cycling laws, or have been injured in an accident, please call us here at Christensen and Hymas, (801) 506-0800, and we will speak to you absolutely free. We want cyclists out there to enjoy the road, and to be as safe as possible.
Image courtesy of Andreas Kambanis
Original story featured on ksl.com
Sir – I disagree with some of your advice in this tv interview. Utah law appears to require that a bicyclist ride as close to the right edge as practicable. It does not require that a bicyclist get in the gutter in order to allow any motor vehicle to pass. I also do not see a requirement for a bicycle rider to use a bike lane or sidepath. This is a quote from the relevant law “If a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, a bicycle rider may be directed by a traffic-control device to use the path and not the roadway.”
I strongly recommend that you become a League Certified Instructor with the League of American Bicyclists, which would provide you a better credential for giving safety advice.
@Esther – Thanks for your post! I absolutely agree with your first point that the law only requires cyclists to ride as close to the right edge of the roadway as practicable. In the interview I actually went on to explain that in further detail, pointing out several exceptions in which a cyclist is NOT required to move to the right edge of the roadway. Unfortunately, I wasn’t part of the editing process, so I didn’t have any say in the sound bytes used in the news report.
As to your second point, you are certainly free to disagree with me on whether the law requires a cyclist to use bike lanes where provided (lawyers argue about the proper interpretation of the laws all the time). But keep in mind that Section 1105 says that cyclists “may be directed by a traffic-control device to use the path and not the roadway.” The law defines a traffic-control device as “a sign, signal, marking, or device … for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.” I’ve seen many defense attorneys, arbitrators, and judges interpret the language of Section 1105 to mean that the designation of a bike lane (through the signs and markings of such on the roadway) does in fact require a cyclist to use that path and not the roadway. I stand by my recommendation that cyclists use them where available and in “usable” condition. Not only do I believe it is generally the safer path of travel, but in the event of an accident, it could prevent the cyclist from being found partially negligent for failing to use the bike lane.
Our condo association effectively bans bikes by not allowing them to park in the garages (underground and secured) or be stored on balconies. This prohibition seems contrary to state and county policy that encourages bicycling for health and environmental reasons. We’d like to see a state law or county ordinance that treats bicycles as equivalent to cars so condo associations can’t ban bicycles.
Jonathan, your first step should be to try and change the Condo Association’s rules. Those are not set in stone and can typically be modified by vote. Look at the CC&Rs for the condo association where you live.