We Give You an Overview of Utah Bicycle Laws

 

  1. A “bicycle” is defined as a wheeled vehicle designed to be operated on the ground whose wheels are not less than 14 inches in diameter and is propelled by human power that has a seat or saddle designed for the operator’s use. The definition expressly includes an electric assisted bicycle in the definition of “bicycle” as well. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-102)

  2. Motor vehicles cannot operate their vehicle within three feet of a cyclist (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-706.5)

  3. Unless altered by the laws set forth below, as a cyclist on a bicycle, you are considered a vehicle and have the same rights and obligations as an operator of a motor vehicle (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1102).

  4. Cyclists are to ride their bicycle in the same direction as traffic (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1105)

  5. Cyclists are to ride their bicycles as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway except when they are:

    (1) overtaking and passing another cyclist or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
    (2) preparing to make a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
    (3) traveling straight through an intersection that has a right-turn only lane that conflicts with the straight through movement; or
    (4) avoiding conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand edge of the roadway, including but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1105)

  6. Cyclists may not ride more than two cyclists side-by-side and can only do so if it does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and are able to do so within a single lane of traffic. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1105)

  7. Cyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1106)

  8. Cyclists may make left hand turns by doing one of the following:

    • (1) Proceed through the intersection as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway. At the far corner of the intersection, yield to all traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway the cyclist was traveling. After yielding and complying with any traffic-control devices, the cyclist may proceed in the new direction (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1108).

    • (2) Use the left-hand turn lane in the same manner required by motor vehicles (i.e., merge while yielding to oncoming traffic from the right-hand edge of the roadway to the left-hand turn lane (if present) or the extreme left-hand side of the lane for traffic moving in the same direction and navigate the left-hand turn once traffic is clear. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-801)

  9. Cyclists must give notice of their intent to make a left-hand turn by extending their left hand and arm horizontally for at least the last two seconds preceding the beginning of making their turn. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-804)

  10. Cyclists must give notice of their intent to make a right-hand turn by extending their left hand and arm upward or their right hand and arm horizontally to the right. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-804)

  11. Cyclists must give notice of a stop or decrease in speed by extending their left-hand arm downward. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-804)

  12. A bicyclist approaching a stop sign may proceed through the intersection without stopping as long as the bicyclist slows down to a reasonable speed and yields the right-of-way to pedestrians within the intersection or adjacent crosswalk, other traffic within the intersection, and any oncoming traffic which poses an immediate hazard.  An “immediate hazard” is defined as “a vehicle approaching an intersection at a proximity and rate of speed sufficient to indicate to a reasonable person that there is a danger of collision or accident.  (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1105).  

  13.  A bicyclist must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1112).

  14. If there is no designated bike path that runs adjacent to the roadway that the cyclist is specifically designated to and the cyclist is traveling less than the speed of traffic, the cyclist, if riding in the roadway and not the shoulder, must ride as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway, i.e., as close to the left of the solid white line as possible. The only exceptions are when a cyclist is overtaking and passing other cyclists, is making a left-hand turn, is proceeding straight through an intersection that also has a right-hand turn lane, or there is an unsafe condition which makes it necessary for the cyclist to avoid the right-edge of the roadway. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1105)

  15. A bicyclist may not lane filter to navigate a left-hand turn in the left-hand turn lane. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1108)

  16. If riding in the evenings, a bicyclist must have a forward facing light that emits a solid white light which is visible from at least 500 feet away and either a rear red reflector or a rear red lamp which is also visible from at least 500 feet away. Although the front light cannot be a flashing light at night (it can be during the day), the rear red light may flash at night. In addition, a bicyclist may implement other lighting and reflectors as long as the additional lighting/reflectors do not violate Utah law. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1616(3).Unless prohibited by a traffic-control device or local city ordinance, any individual may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. A minor may always ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1106).

  17. Unless prohibited by a traffic-control device or local city ordinance, any individual may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. A minor may always ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. (Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1106).

  18. If hit by an insured vehicle, a bicyclist is entitled to personal injury protection benefits from the motorist’s insurer. (Utah Code Ann. § 31A-22-308).

  19. If involved in an incident, a bicyclist is entitled to Underinsured Motorist Benefits if the vehicle that caused the accident is underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Benefits if the vehicle that caused the accident is uninsured. (Utah Code Ann. § 31A-22-305; Utah Code Ann. § 31A-22-305.3)