Rules of the Road: Bicycles Laws

41-6a-706.5   Operation of motor vehicle near bicycle prohibited.

 An operator of a motor vehicle may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operate a motor vehicle within three feet of a moving bicycle, unless the operator of the motor vehicle operates the motor vehicle within a reasonable and safe distance of the bicycle.

41-6a-1102   Bicycle and device propelled by human power and moped riders subject to chapter -- Exception.

(1) Except as provided under Subsection (2) or as otherwise specified under this part, a person operating a bicycle, a vehicle or device propelled by human power, or a moped has all the rights and is subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the operator of any other vehicle.

(2) A person operating a nonmotorized bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power is not subject to the penalties related to operator licenses under alcohol and drug-related traffic offenses.

41-6a-1110   Bicycle and moped inspections -- At request of officer.

A peace officer may at any time require a person riding a bicycle or moped to stop and submit the bicycle or moped to an inspection and a test as appropriate if the officer has reasonable cause to believe that:

(1)  the bicycle or moped is unsafe or not equipped as required by law; or

(2)  the bicycle or moped's equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair.

41-6a-1112   Bicycles and mopeds -- Carrying bundle -- One hand on handlebars.

(1)  A person operating a bicycle or moped may not carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the use of both hands in the control and operation of the bicycle or moped.

(2) A person operating a bicycle or moped shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

41-6a-1113   Bicycle -- Prohibited equipment -- Brakes required.

 (1)  A bicycle may not be equipped with, and a person may not use on a bicycle, a siren or whistle.

(2)  Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which enable its driver to stop the bicycle within 25 feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

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Turning or changing lanes

41-6a-804.   Turning or changing lanes -- Safety -- Signals -- Stopping or sudden decrease in speed -- Signal flashing -- Where prohibited.

(c) (i)  A person operating a bicycle or device propelled by human power may give the required hand and arm signals for a right turn by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right.

41-6a-1108.   Bicycles and mopeds -- Turns -- Designated lanes.

(1)  A person riding a bicycle or moped and intending to turn left shall comply with Section 41-6a-801 or Subsection (2).

(2) (a)  A person riding a bicycle or moped intending to turn left shall approach the turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway.

(b)  After proceeding across the intersecting roadway, to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist or moped operator shall stop, as far out of the way of traffic as practical.

(c)  After stopping, the bicyclist or moped operator shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway he had been using.

(d)  After yielding and complying with any traffic-control device or peace officer regulating traffic, the bicyclist or moped operator may proceed in the new direction.

(3) (a)  Notwithstanding Subsections (1) and (2), a highway authority in its respective jurisdiction may place traffic-control devices that require and direct turning bicyclists and moped operators to travel a specific course.

(b)  When the devices are placed under Subsection (3)(a), a person may not turn a bicycle other than as directed by the devices.

41-6a-1109.   Bicycles and mopeds -- Turn signals -- Exceptions.

(1)  Except as provided in this section, a person riding a bicycle or moped shall comply with Section 41-6a-804 regarding turn signals and turning.

(2) A person is not required to signal by hand and arm continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or moped.

(3)  A person operating a bicycle or moped who is stopped in a lane designated for turning traffic only is not required to signal prior to making the turning movement.

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Cyclists and sidewalks

41-6a-1106.   Bicycles and human powered vehicle or device to yield right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks, paths, or trails -- Uses prohibited -- Negligent collision prohibited -- Speed restrictions -- Rights and duties same as pedestrians.

(1)  A person operating a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power shall:

(a)  yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian; and

(b)  give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.

(2)  A person may not operate a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a roadway in a crosswalk, where prohibited by a traffic-control device or ordinance.

(3)  A person may not operate a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power in a negligent manner so as to collide with a:

(a)  pedestrian; or

(b)  person operating a:

(i)  bicycle; or

(ii)  vehicle or device propelled by human power.

(4)  A person operating a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a driveway, or across a roadway on a crosswalk may not operate at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.

(5) Except as provided under Subsections (1) and (4), a person operating a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

41-6a-1107.   Bicycles -- Parking on sidewalk, roadway -- Prohibitions.

(1) A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by a traffic-control device.

(2) A bicycle parked on a sidewalk may not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

(3) A bicycle may be parked on the roadway at any location where parking is allowed:     

(a)  at any angle to the curb or edge of the roadway; and

(b) abreast of another bicycle or bicycles near the side of the roadway.

(4) A bicycle may not be parked on a roadway in a manner as to obstruct the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.

(5) In all other respects, bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform with the provisions of Part 14, Stopping, Standing, and Parking, regarding the parking of vehicles.

41-6a-1702.   Sidewalk -- Driving prohibited -- Exception.

(1)  Except for a bicycle or device propelled by human power, a person may not operate a vehicle on a sidewalk or sidewalk area.

2)  The provisions of Subsection (1) do not apply on a driveway.

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Riding at Night

41-6a-1114.   Bicycles -- Lamps and reflective material required.

(1)  Every bicycle in use at the times described in Section 41-6a-1603 shall be equipped with a:

(a)  lamp of a type approved by the department which is on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and

(b) (i)  red reflector of a type approved by the department which is visible for 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle; or

(ii)  red taillight designed for use on a bicycle and emitting flashing or nonflashing light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.

(2)  Every bicycle when in use at the times described in Section 41-6a-1603 shall be equipped with:

(a)  reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for 500 feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle; or

(b)  in lieu of reflective material, a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least 500 feet.

(3) A bicycle or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by Subsections (1) and (2).

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Bicycle Racing

41-6a-1111.   Bicycle racing -- When approved -- Prohibitions -- Exceptions -- Authorized exemptions from traffic laws.

(1)  Bicycle racing on highways is prohibited under Section 41-6a-606, except as authorized in this section.

(2) (a)  Bicycle racing on a highway is permitted when a racing event is approved by a highway authority on a highway under its jurisdiction.

(b)  Approval of bicycle highway racing events may be granted only under conditions:

(i)  which assure reasonable safety for all race participants, spectators, and other highway users; and

(ii)  which prevent unreasonable interference with traffic flow which would seriously inconvenience other highway users.

(3) Participants in an approved bicycle highway racing event may be exempted from compliance with any traffic laws otherwise applicable:

(a)  by agreement with the approving highway authority; and

(b)  if traffic control is adequate to assure the safety of all highway users.

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Road Advocacy Groups:

Salt Lake Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee (MBAC)

Salt Lake County Bicycle Advisory Committee

Pratt Coalition

Weber County Pathways

Provo Bicycle Committee

Salt Lake Critical Mass

Mooseknuckler Alliance

Mountain and Trails Advocacy:

Mountain Trails Foundation

Moab Trails Alliance

Bonneville Shoreline Trail Committee

Weber County Pathways

Color Country Cycling Club

Moab Trail Mix

Mooseknuckler Alliance