What You Didn't Know About Biking Laws in Kentucky
It is summertime, and the weather is excellent for a bike ride. Before hitting the Kentucky roadways, it is important to be familiar with the laws regulating bike use. Bikes are considered vehicles, giving them the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers on the road. The following are general Kentucky bike laws. Check with your local city and county for additional regulations regarding bike use.
- Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
- Keep to the right and ride with traffic unless you are:
- passing a slower vehicle
- preparing for a left turn
- avoiding a right turning automobile
- on a one-way street with multiple lanes
- on a road that is too narrow to share
- If there is a bike path, use it.
- Ride single file, unless the bike path allows you to ride in pairs.
- You can ride on sidewalks and crosswalks, but you are then considered a pedestrian. Therefore, you must ride at the speed of walkers and yield to pedestrians.
- You need safety gear:
- You must give a warning when passing, so a bell or a horn is useful and required.
- Helmets are encouraged for all riders but only required for persons under the age of 21.
- You must have working brakes that allow you to stop within 15 feet at a speed of 10 mph.
- You must have an adequately attached seat with only one rider per seat.
- At night you need reflectors and lights in the front and back of your bike.
- Bikes can be parked on sidewalks if it does not impede pedestrians, and on roadways at an angle toward the curb.
- Don’t drink and ride. It is illegal to operate a bike if your blood alcohol level is over .08.
Remember to stay alert and to watch for turning cars, people getting out of their vehicles, and objects on the roadway. You are not alone on the streets, so make eye contact with drivers and use the proper hand signals for turning.
Cycling is excellent exercise and a great way to get outside. Stay safe and enjoy your adventures.
