Texas Bicyclists

Information on Texas Bicyclists

Under Texas law, "bicycle" means a device that a person may ride and that is propelled by human power and has two tandem wheels at least one of which is more than 14 inches in diameter. However, in the state of Texas, a bicycle is considered equivalent to a motor vehicle and subject to the same laws that apply to motor vehicles, with a few exceptions where special rules apply to bicyclists. In most cases, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and are subject to the same citations a motorist would receive for violating traffic laws. This means that cyclists should obey speed limit laws, stop at all red lights and stop signs, signal when turning and stopping, and yield right-of-way when Texas law requires it. As a general rule, you should not do anything that you would not do when you are driving your car.

Safety is also a major concern for all cyclists. To be safe make yourself as visible as possible and be predictable in your actions. Making eye contact with drivers of other vehicles can help you establish your position and communicate to them what your intentions are.

To signal that you are turning while riding a bicycle, do the following with your left arm:

1. To make a left turn signal, extend hand and arm horizontally;
2. To make a right turn signal, extend hand and arm upward, except that a bicycle operator may signal from the right side of the vehicle with the hand and arm extended horizontally; and
3. To stop or decrease speed, extend left hand and arm downward.

General operation of a bicycle in the state of Texas is as follows:

1. A person operating a bicycle shall ride only on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.
2. A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is equipped to carry.
3. A person operating a bicycle may not use his bicycle to carry an object that prevents the person from operating the bicycle with at least one hand on the handlebars of the bicycle.

Operation of a bicycle on a Texas roadway is as follows:

1. A person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless:
   1. The person is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction;
   2. The person is preparing to turn left at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
   3. Or, A condition on or off the roadway, including a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard width lane, prevents the person from safely riding next to the right curb or edge of the roadway.
2. A person operating a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of roadway.
3. Persons operating a bicycle on a roadway may ride two abreast. Persons riding two abreast on a multi-lane roadway shall ride in a single lane. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway. Persons may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.

A person operating a bicycle in Texas must abide by the following safety equipment laws:

1. A person may not operate a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
2. A person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle is equipped with:
   1. A lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle; and,
   2. A red reflector on the rear of the bicycle that is:
   3. Of a type approved by the department; and
   4. Visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear of the bicycle; or
   5. A person operating a bicycle at nighttime may use a lamp on the rear of the bicycle that emits a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.

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