Bicycle Riders

Bicycle riders are given the same rights and must follow the same laws as drivers of motor vehicles. In addition, they should follow these rules:

  • Bicycle riders should ride as close to the right of the road as they can do safely. They should only cross the lane of vehicle travel to make a left turn.
  • No more than two (2) bicycles may be ridden side by side.
  • When there is a safe bicycle path near the roadway, riders should use the path rather than the road.
  • Any person fifteen (15) years of age or younger riding a bicycle or a passenger on a bicycle on a public highway, bicycle path, or other public right-of-way must wear a certified bicycle helmet.
  • Bicyclists have a legal right to ride on the roadway. Under Rhode Island Law, a bicycle is considered a vehicle with equal rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road. Bicyclists are transportation users, as well as motorists. They are more vulnerable to injury than those in a vehicle, so motorists must drive carefully when bicyclists are present.

Motor vehicle drivers must be alert and cautious for bicycle riders in or near the roadway.

Share the Road with Bicyclists

Rhode Island General Law (RIGL § 31-19-6 “Bicycles to right of road”) – Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standard vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction except where official traffic control devises (signs or pavement markings) specifically direct bicyclists to do otherwise.

Road hazards not easily seen by automobile drivers or trucks may hamper a bicyclist or cause them to crash. These hazards could include potholes, glass, litter, storm grates, and railroad crossings, as well as opened doors of parked vehicles. Any of these items could cause a bicyclist to move into your path or to slow down. Give bicyclists plenty of clearance on the street so they will have room to move around these hazards.

Bicyclists should travel in the same direction as the rest of the traffic. Automobiles must yield to bicyclists in the same way as for other types of vehicles. Look for signs that a bicyclist is inexperienced such as whether the bicyclist is riding in a smooth and straight manner or weaving, wobbling, and riding against traffic without a helmet. Give such bicyclists plenty of room.

Shared Lane Markings

bicycle riders image

Have you seen this road marking? Well, be aware. They have been installed on some local and state roadways over the past few years. The road marking in the picture is a “shared lane” marking. What does the road marking mean? What purpose does it serve? The points below explain the purpose of the Shared Lane markings:

  • Assist bicyclist with lateral positioning in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist impacting the door of a parked vehicle.
  • Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in lanes that are too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side within the same traffic lane.
  • Alert road users of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy within a traveled way.
  • Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists.
  • Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling.

Seven Things to Know When Sharing the Road with Bicyclists:

  1. When passing cyclists leave adequate space and be aware of road surface conditions like potholes, puddles or debris which may force cyclists to move further left than usual.
    • Don’t sound your horn as you approach a cyclist as the loud noise can startle them and cause them to swerve.
    • Avoid talking on a wireless communication device (cell phone), text messaging, or being otherwise distracted when approaching or passing a bicyclist.
    • Avoid driving or swerving into bicycle lanes.
  2. When approaching or passing a bicycle be prepared to stop suddenly if a person enters the driver’s lane.
    • In inclement weather, give bicyclists extra trailing and passing room like you would give other motorists. 
    • Allow as much clearance as possible (3-5 feet) when passing to prevent contact with a bicyclist and be prepared to stop suddenly if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane.
  3. When a road is too narrow for vehicles and bicycles to travel safely side by side, be prepared to reduce speed or stop when the bicyclists ahead of you “takes the travel lane,” (i.e., proceeds in the center of the road).
  4. Do not pass bicyclists if oncoming traffic is near. Wait until there are no oncoming vehicles before you pass.
    • After you have passed a bicyclist, do not reduce speed, or stop abruptly in front of them.
  5. When turning left at an intersection, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would to an on-coming vehicles.
  6. Before turning right at an intersection or driveway, check for bicyclists on your right or behind you who are continuing straight ahead.
  7. Look behind you for a bicyclist approaching your parked vehicle before you open the door into a traffic lane.

Driving on Roads with Bicycle Lanes

In Rhode Island, bicycle lanes on the road are clearly marked with a solid white line, with the words “Bicycle Lane” and include bicycle symbols. Do not drive in a bicycle lane. You may cross a bicycle lane when you are turning a corner or entering or leaving an alley, private road, or driveway. Yield to bicyclists in a bicycle lane or on a sidewalk before you turn into the lane or sidewalk.

Watching for Children on Bicycles

Children’s visual skills and depth perception may not be as developed as well as adults and they may not be able to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles. The unpredictable behavior of young children can pose an increase safety risk for motorists.

Always reduce speed and use extra caution when children are in the vicinity, especially in school zones.

Dooring

Dooring is when the driver or passenger carelessly opens the door of a parked or stopped vehicle and collides with a passing cyclist. Every passenger of a stopped or parked vehicle should check their surroundings before opening the door of a vehicle. Operators of motor vehicles should practice ‘Dutch Reach’. This is the practice of opening the driver’s door with the right hand, turning your head, and looking out the side and rear windows.

According to Rhode Island General Laws § 31-21-1, “Opening vehicle doors”: No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, available to moving traffic, unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles on sidewalks, shoulders, or bicycle lanes. No person shall leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles on sidewalks, shoulders, or bicycle lanes, for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined as provided in § 31-41.1-4.

Additional bicycling information to know:

Rhode Island’s Department of Transportation (RIDOT) “Bike RI” website:

http://www.dot.ri.gov/community/bikeri/index.php#navigation

Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) § 31-19 “Operation of Bicycles”:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-19/INDEX.HTM

Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) § 31-1-3 “Types of Vehicles”:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-1/31-1-3.HTM

Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) § 31-15 “Passing, Use of Lanes, and Rules of the Road”:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-15/31-15-18.HTM

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