I am continuing the series on sharing the road. Previously, I dealt with concerns of common courtesy on the road, like keeping dogs on the leash or making sure you are visible. I believe that those rules apply no matter where you are – DC, Poland or Brazil. Each country, however, has its own set of rules you need to follow. In the US, those laws are state-specific. Since this is a huge topic, this week will be about various states and next week, I will write about some other countries around the world.
Legal disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, so please do not use this post as legal advice. These are results of my scouring the internet for the information.
Laws regarding helmets vary and I will mention them. However, I believe that they are indispensable part of your equipment, like the bike itself. Please wear one, regardless of the law.
This one should go without saying: if you are on the road, you need to follow traffic signs, lights and directions from police. Also: laws regarding riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs (where legal) vary, but don’t. Just NO.
Then there is the issue of bike paths. As much as those are clearly meant for bicycles only, some states provide for ‘shared use trails’. Those are different – as long as there is a human powering it, it can go. On the second thought: I have seen horses on the trail by my house, so I guess it’s as long as it’s powered by animal (and yes, humans are animals, too), it’s ok. So this is going to deal with going on streets and sidewalks, since that’s where there appears to be the most confusion and differences.
An observation from my research: many counties and municipalities around America have stricter bicycle-related laws than what the states mandate. Before you go touring a city on a bike and decide to jump on a sidewalk or skip a helmet, double-check if it’s allowed.
Alabama
In Alabama, you are not permitted to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. Wherever a path adjacent to the road is provided to bicycles, you are required to use it and you cannot ride on the street. When riding on the street, you must be as far to the right as possible. Cyclists and bike passengers (like a child in the bike seat) under the age of 16 must wear helmets.
Alaska
Alaska law requires cyclists on the streets to ride as far to the right as possible. On highways, if there is a properly maintained shoulder, you are required to ride your bike on the shoulder. In Alaska, you are allowed to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, except in business districts or if there are signs specifically prohibiting it. Alaska doesn’t have a state-wide helmet law. However, many municipalities do.
Arizona
On a road, you are required to ride as far to the right as practicable, except when passing slower moving vehicles, there are obstacles or hazardous conditions on the right side or when you are turning left (although that seems a bit obvious…). This law also does not apply if the road is too narrow for a vehicle to go side by side with the bicycle. There is no law either way on bicycles on the sidewalks and Arizona does not consider bikes vehicles. There is also no requirement to ride in a bike lane/on a bike path if there is one next to the road. Like Alaska, Arizona does not have a state-wide bicycle helmet law, but there are many municipalities that do.
Arkansas
This state appears to be seriously lacking in the department of laws regulating bicycle riding. However, you should double-check with the county or town you are in – they may have specific regulations.
California
Riding on sidewalks tends to be regulated locally, but there is no state-wide prohibition. I guess this law has various degrees of usefulness – I lived in SoCal for a long time and based on experience, those laws would be irrelevant anyway, since there are very few sidewalks. When there are bike lanes, you are supposed to ride on those rather than on the street, except for the obvious situations, such as presence of hazardous conditions in the bike lane. California also has helmet laws – anybody on a bike (rider or passenger) under the age of 18 must wear one.
Colorado
Colorado has some very specific bicycle laws, but they do not require use of bike lanes where available. Cyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks, unless it’s specifically prohibited. However, they must yield to pedestrians and, when passing, do it safely for the pedestrian and give them an audible warning. When riding on a sidewalk, bicyclists have to follow the same rules as pedestrians. Cyclists have to get off the bike and walk on crosswalks. On the road, you need to stick to the right as much as possible and safe. State of Colorado does not require use of a helmet.
Connecticut
Connecticut does not require use of bike lane/paths, but restricts use of parkways and limited access highways – you can go on these only using designated bike lanes. Sidewalk riding rules are similar to those of Colorado – you are allowed to go on them, but you are a ‘guest’ in pedestrian’s space and need to behave as such, yielding way to pedestrians and giving them audible warnings. On the roads, bicyclists are required to ride as far to the right as safe and practicable, except for the usual reasons (such as road hazards). There are also two specific additions to this rule: if the road is one-way, you can ride as far to the left as you judge safe. The other one is on roads separated for the exclusive use of bikes. Cyclists and younger than 15 are required to use helmets.
Delaware
As the majority of states so far, Delaware requires cyclists to stick to the right and does not require you to use separate bike lanes where they are available. Sidewalks, on the other hand, are a completely different story. Cyclists are allowed on sidewalks, but there is a list of restrictions. First of all, when passing on a sidewalk, you have to give audible warning (this is a common theme and I think it’s for a good reason). You also have to get off your bike when going into a crosswalk. Cyclists are not allowed to ride their bikes on sidewalks in business districts, when it’s specifically prohibited and when a bike lane is available. Minors (under 18) are required to wear helmets, whether they are a rider or a passenger.
District of Columbia
Surprisingly, DC does not have restrictions as to where on the road a cyclist rides, as long as it’s safe to the rider and other participants of the traffic. Riding on sidewalks in DC has a lot of specific laws though. In general, it’s permitted except for in the Central Business District and where specifically prohibited. For most part, you have to follow the same rules as pedestrians, but you also need to yield to them. I work in DC and I must say that as much as riding on the sidewalks is allowed, it’s not always a good idea due to large number of tourists, who are not paying attention. Some sidewalks are also quite narrow and in pretty bad shape. Roads can be tricky, since many drivers seem to not be paying attention to anything or anybody smaller than them (see my post regarding common courtesy and vents on drivers trying to kill runners and cyclists). The good news is that DC and surrounding areas have an abundance of bike paths and shared use trails. If you want to do a solid workout, those are your best bet. They are also good for commuting – I have done that multiple times from suburban VA and got pretty close before having to join regular traffic. DC requires you to wear a helmet while on a bicycle if you are under the age of 16.
Florida
This is appropriate – I am in Florida right now, relaxing before my 5th marathon tomorrow morning. So far, I haven’t seen a single spot I would consider safe for a bicycle around here (during this or previous visit). Well, Florida requires you to use separate bike lane when available. You are allowed on a sidewalk, but you have to yield to pedestrians, get off your bike on a crosswalk and follow the same rules as people on foot. On the road, you are expected to ride as far to the right, except for the usual reasons of hazards in your way or when turning left or when the bike lane is available (since you are required to use it). Helmets are required in Florida for everybody on a bike who has not turned 16 yet.
Georgia
Georgia requires anybody on a bicycle (rider or passenger) under the age 16 to wear a helmet. There is another law in Georgia that definitely needs to be mentioned, as they are not very common: children under the age of one are allowed only in a trailer or an infant sling and must also wear helmets.
Hawaii
You must ride as far to the right as practicable if you are bicycling on the road in Hawaii. If there is a bike lane though and you are going slower than the traffic, you must use it. You are allowed to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk outside business districts, but you must maintain speed of less than 10mph and must yield to pedestrians. This permission does not extend to bicycle with attached motors. Hawaiian law requires all persons riding a bike, being passenger on a bike, including restrained in a child seat or in a trailer pulled by a bicycle who is under the age 16 to wear a helmet.
Idaho
In Idaho, you are required to ride your bicycle on the road as far to the right as practicable, except for the usual reasons. You don’t have to use designated bike lane if it’s provided. You can ride your bike on a sidewalk, unless it’s specifically prohibited, and provided that you yield to pedestrians and give them audible warning when passing. You are not required to wear a helmet in Idaho, unless municipal law requires otherwise.
Illinois
When in Illinois, stick to the right of the road as possible. Use of the bike lane is optional. Unless specifically prohibited, you can ride on the sidewalk, provided you follow the same laws as the pedestrians, yield to them and give them audible signal when passing. Illinois does not have a helmet law.
Indiana
In Indiana, you can choose if you want to ride on a road, sidewalk or in a bike lane. On the road, you have to stay as far to the right as practicable. Except for specific municipal regulations, you are not required to wear a helmet in Indiana.
Iowa
Iowa is another free-for-all state. You can freely choose between road, bike lane or sidewalk. Just stay as far to the right on the road as you can and it’s up to you if you wear your helmet.
Kansas
In Kansas, you can be on the road (as far to the right as practicable), unless there is an adjacent bike lane or bike path. On the other hand, you are free to use sidewalk as much as you want. And you are not required to wear a helmet.
Kentucky
Again, stick to the right on the road. You are required to use the bike lane or bike path except for the usual reasons, such as avoiding hazards or passing. One interesting exception: if you are travelling at legal speed, you can ditch the bike lane for the road. You can hop onto the sidewalk though, as long as you are not causing danger while hopping on/off of it. However, if pedestrians are present, you are required to stick to the speed of a normal walk. So most likely an adult would pass… Speaking of passing: you are allowed to pass on wearing a helmet. At this point, I will repeat what I said in the into though: don’t pass on the helmet, required by law or not. It’s your health and life on the line.
Louisiana
Take your pick where you’d like to ride! But again, on the road, you have to stick to the ride. Bike helmet requirement applies to all kids (pedaling or just being passengers) under the age of 12.
Maine
Once again, your only limitation when choosing where to ride is limited to sticking to the right side if you choose a road. Helmets are required of everybody on a bike under the age of 16.
Maryland
Stick to the right on the road, but if there is a bike lane/path, you must go in it. If you need to leave the bike lane/path, it is your responsibility to make sure it’s safe first (who wouldn’t first check for that???). You are not allowed to get on sidewalks, except some municipalities specifically allow it (a bit backwards from the general trend, isn’t it?). Law says you can leave your helmet at home the day you turn 16 (but don’t…).
Massachusetts
Well, Massachusetts is a real free for all – you don’t even have to stay to the right on the road! But biking in business districts is a no-no. And on sidewalks you do have to give right of way to pedestrians. Helmets become optional once you turn 16.
Michigan
You need to stay to the right side of the road, unless you choose to go in the bike lane, but that decision is optional. On the sidewalk, you must yield to pedestrians and let them know when you are passing. Helmets are optional for all age groups.
Minnesota
Ride as far to the right on the road as you can, hop in the bike lane if you choose so and if you get on the sidewalk, yield to pedestrians (and let them know when passing). Helmets are not legally required.
Mississippi
Choose your own path from the available options, but if you do go on the street, make sure to ride as far to the right as possible. And no helmet, no problem! (Legally that is. If you hit your head on the pavement, you will wish you wore it.)
Missouri
On the road, you need to stick to the right side. Or you can go in the bike lane, but that’s your call. Sidewalks are also an option, as long as you are not in a business district. Helmet is your call.
Montana
You are expected to right as far to the right as possible. You are not expected to ride over hazards in the road without a reasonable margin of safety. You have the option of choosing regular road in Montana over the bike lane. On the sidewalk, you need to yield to pedestrians and you have to get off the bike on a crosswalk. There is no state-wide helmet law.
Nebraska
Interesting twist to the ‘stick to the right’ rule: if there are multiple marked lanes, you can be as far to the left as practicable. And since 2016, you are no longer forced to go in the bike lane when one is available. Cyclists on sidewalks are treated the same as a pedestrian, except they have they have to give right of way to pedestrians. Nebraska has not passed any laws so far regarding use of helmets.
Nevada
On the road, you are expected to stay on the right side. There are no laws discussing use of sidewalks or choosing bike lanes over the regular lanes. Helmets are not required for anybody.
New Hampshire
You can choose between right side of the road or, where available, bike lane. You cannot choose to ride on the sidewalk though. If you haven’t turned 16 yet, you must wear a helmet.
New Jersey
On the road, you can ride on the right side, as usual. What is nice is that you can ride two abreast if that doesn’t impede traffic. You are not required to switch over to the bike lane when one is available. Vehicles and horses are not allowed on sidewalks, but bikes are not considered vehicles, so you are good on sidewalks, too. New Jersey also has a somewhat unusual cutoff for use of helmet: the day you turn 17.
New Mexico
Another free-for-all state, you get to pick where you ride, as long as you choose being as far to the right as practicable if you choose a road. If you’re not old enough to vote though, you must wear a helmet on a bike, both as an operator and as a passenger.
New York
If there is a bike lane, you have to use it in the New York state. When there is no such option, you need to ride as far to the right, including the shoulder, as you can, so that you don’t impede traffic. The state itself doesn’t prohibit biking on a sidewalk, but you should note that in New York City itself it is illegal, unless there is a specific sign to the contrary. The law says you are required to wear a helmet until you turn 14.
North Carolina
Go in the bike lane, get on the right edge of the road or go on the side walk, dealer’s choice. Wear a helmet at least until you turn 16.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, you are free to choose right lane of the road over the bike lane. You are not, however, free to choose a sidewalk. Speaking of freedom of choice: wearing a helmet is up to you.
Ohio
You should stick to the right edge of the road, but not when it’s unreasonable or unsafe. You are not required to switch over to a bike path/lane when one is available. You are free to switch to a sidewalk though. There is no helmet law.
Oklahoma
For the most part, laws regarding use of sidewalks, bike paths/lanes and road are as usual for cases when you can freely choose between these three options. One important exception is within state parks: if there is a bike path adjacent to the road, you are not allowed on the road. There is no helmet law.
Oregon
Oregon is one of the few states that allow you to ride side by side with one more bicycle on a road, as long as you are not impeding traffic. In case of one-way roads, you can also choose between the right edge and the left edge of the road. You must stay on the bike path/lane if there is one adjacent to the road. As long as your bike is not assisted by a motor, you can go on a sidewalk. You do, however, have to be careful not to pose danger to other people or property on the sidewalk. You have to slow down to speed of a normal walk when entering a crosswalk.
Pennsylvania
Ah, the land of the crazy drivers! (personal experience, others may disagree). They say you don’t have to wear a helmet once you turn 12, but for the love of all that is holy, please do… They expect you to ride as close to the right edge as possible, but you are exempted from it if there is only enough room for one lane in each direction. If you think about it, that makes sense – if you can’t be safely next to a car, you might as well be visibly in the middle and maybe they will be less likely to pass you when it’s unsafe? You don’t have to stick to bike path or bike lane when one is available (but again: based on what I have seen, you might want to). Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks, except for in business districts. And you still have to give right of way to pedestrians and warn them audibly when passing.
Rhode Island
You are not required to choose a bike lane over the regular lane on the road. You may also choose to ride on a sidewalk (including crosswalks), except when specifically prohibited. You are required to wear a helmet until you turn 15.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, bicyclists are permitted to ride a bike on the shoulder of a road as well as on the right side of the road and on a sidewalk. If there is a bike lane provided, cyclists must use it. However, if there is only a bike path adjacent to the road, it’s ok to ride on the road. Helmets are optional for everybody.
South Dakota
Bikes are allowed on the right side of the road and there is no requirement to move over to the bike lane or bike path where one of those is available. There is one noteworthy addition to regular rules permitting bikes on sidewalks (such as yielding right of way to pedestrians): cyclists are required to stop when getting on a crosswalk or on a highway. No helmet is required.
Tennessee
Tennessee allows bikes on the right side of roads and on sidewalks, without requirement of moving over to the bike lane or bike path. However, there is a law regarding helmets: you must wear one if you are under the age of 16.
Texas
There is basically only one thing to keep in mind when it comes to Texas and riding a bike: cars/trucks are more important than you (and can hurt you). Otherwise, there isn’t much regulation regarding biking.
Utah
Interesting twist on the law regarding use of bike paths and bike lanes: you may be required to do so if ‘directed by traffic-control device’. As to riding on the sidewalk: you are required to yield to pedestrians, warn them when passing and maintain safe speed. This pertains only to bikes you are pedaling on – if they have a motor, you are not allowed. There also may be local ordinances or specific signs prohibiting bikes on sidewalks. Oh, and there is no helmet law.
Vermont
Not surprisingly, Vermont doesn’t have many limitations on riding bicycles. Pretty much the only one is the common-sense ‘stick to the right if you are on the road’. Keeping in the spirit of being light on regulations, they don’t have a law requiring use of helmets.
Virginia
In Virginia, you can ride on a road like usual – as far to the right as you can. You don’t have to take bike path or bike lane. Riding on sidewalks is generally allowed, unless there is a specific prohibition by county, town, city or by official traffic control devices. Obviously, all the regular guidelines apply. There is a rather unique helmet law: state law says that any city, town or county may require any person 14 years old or younger to wear a helmet.
Washington
Cyclists can freely choose between road, bike path/lane and sidewalk, subject to usual restrictions. There is no helmet law.
West Virginia
Your choice of where to ride is the same as in the Washington State. There is, however, a helmet law: riders under 15 years old need to wear one.
Wisconsin
I am starting to feel repetitive writing these… So just look at Washington 😉
Wyoming
And we reached the (alphabetically) last state! Believe it or not, this is another case of ‘see above’ – specifically, look at laws in the Washington State.