LexRides

[selfpropelled]

Here are our current bike ordinances (available online at http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=11163&sid=17)

Sec. 18-145. Traffic laws apply.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by this chapter made applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations in section 18-165 and this article and except as to those provisions of laws which, by their nature, can have no application.

Sec. 18-146. Obedience to traffic-control devices.
Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

Sec. 18-147. Method of riding.
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

Sec. 18-148. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(b) Persons riding or pushing bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride or push two (2) abreast in any business district or more than two (2) abreast in any other district.
(c) Whenever a designated bicycle path has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
(d) No person shall ride a bicycle on any designated limited-access highway.
(e) No motorized vehicles shall be allowed on any designated bicycle path.
(Ord. No. 219-73, § 1, 9-13-73; Ord. No. 154-83, § 1, 9-8-83)

Sec. 18-149. Operation of bicycle.
No person shall ride a bicycle at a distance of more than five (5) feet from the curb or edge of a roadway except when passing another vehicle.

Sec. 18-150. Speed.
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

Sec. 18-151. Emerging from alley or driveway.
The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on such sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on such roadway.

Sec. 18-152. Carrying articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one (1) hand on the handlebars.

Sec. 18-153. Clinging to vehicles.
No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

Sec. 18-154. Parking.
No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb, in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.

Sec. 18-155. Riding on sidewalks.
(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the business district, except for members of the division of police and the sheriff's office. The business district shall be from the corner of Jefferson and West Vine Street east along; West Vine Street to Ransom Street, north along Ransom to East Main Street, then west on East Main Street to DeWeese Street, then north on DeWeese Street to East Short Street, then west on East Short Street to Walnut Street, then north on Walnut Street to Barr Street, then west on Barr Street and Church Street to North Broadway, then south on North Broadway to West Short Street, then west on West Short Street to Spring Street, then south on Spring Street to West Main Street, then west on West Main Street to Jefferson Street.
(b) The director, division of traffic engineering is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person, when in his opinion the riding of bicycles would constitute a danger either to the riders or to pedestrians. When such signs are in place only members of the division of police or the sheriff's office can disregard the same.
(c) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(d) Members of the division of police and the sheriff's office are authorized to ride bicycles, horses and Segways on any sidewalk or roadway including those within the business district.
(Ord. No. 4753, § 1, 10-3-63; Ord. No. 95-73, § 1, 4-12-73; Ord. No. 71-2005, § 1, 3-24-05)

Sec. 18-156. Equipment.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from all distances from fifty (50) feet to three hundred (300) feet to the rear when directly in front of a lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear maybe used in addition to the red reflector.
(b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with good tires, safe steering, pedals and tight fittings.
(Ord. No. 155-71, § 1, 9-9-71; Ord. No. 219-73, § 1, 9-13-73)

[jdbaum3]

Thanks for rounding those up, it's good to know that we aren't granted the full lane here as opposed to many other areas.

[alex]

there's also:

Sec. 18-111. Opening doors of parked vehicles.
No person shall open the doors of any parked vehicle, which doors open on the street side of such vehicle when any other vehicle or bicycle is approaching such parked vehicle and is within fifty (50) feet thereof on the side of the street on which the parked vehicle is standing.




and the Ky state bike regs:
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/601/014/020.htm


0. Pass only when you can allow at least three feet between yourself (as measured from the extent of your rear-view mirrors) and the cyclist.
0. Return to your lane only when completely clear of the cyclist.
If you turn right after passing a cyclist, only do so if you leave enough room that his forward path is not obstructed.

[seicer]

I love these --

"No person shall ride a bicycle at a distance of more than five (5) feet from the curb or edge of a roadway except when passing another vehicle."

"Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction."

^ That's not always practical. I come off of Rose to Main, and my building is on the left in two blocks. To veer into the far-right bike lane and then cross over later is not only a time waster, but impractical. I cycle pretty fast along Main in the left lane and have had no problems so far, and I am actually faster than most cars because it's usually stop-and-go.
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Sherman Cahal | Cincy Rides

[John Reaves]

"(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from all distances from fifty (50) feet to three hundred (300) feet to the rear when directly in front of a lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear maybe used in addition to the red reflector. "

If only...

[seicer]

What about this "don't stop" "law" I keep hearing about? One of my friends stands by the statement that you don't need to stop for a stop sign or for a red light if there are no on-coming vehicles, or if you perceive it to be safe to cross.

But I can't find anything about this.

Edit: See below. I guess it's pretty self explanatory.
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Sherman Cahal | Cincy Rides

[John Reaves]

I think that's covered by

[brokebike]

[roadhouse]

I used to have this poster put out by the sheriff's Dpt. that had the basic biking rules and little diagrams. I can't find it but I remember it having a section that said that you could ride two abreast as I believe it worded it " in order to protect yourselves from passing vehicles" but it never said anything about districts. I picked this thing up from the desk at the dmv, and actually had to break it out on some dude in a mercedes who went ape shit because he actually had to pass in the passing lane on high street.
Has anyone seen this little poster?

[Rowbear]

you can definitely ride two abreast if you want. it's in the driver's manual on the little section about bikes and motorcycles. No more than two abreast though and you're supposed to ride on the right 1/3 of the lane, which just means people will try to squeeze by you and almost clip you with their mirrors more often.
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Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

[brokebike]

thing is, most police probably don't know the bicycle laws without reference... and most drivers definitely don't know or care.

The only thing I've heard cyclists here getting warned or ticketed over was either running signs or lights, or not having proper lights at night.

it still irks the shit out of me when I see the bike cops riding on the sidewalk all the time.
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[willard]

I think the laws would change if the bike police were actually out there riding in the street within five feet of the curb. It wouldn't take them long to realize that sometimes taking the whole lane can keep you from getting killed.

Has anyone ever approached the police dept about the fact that the bike Police set a poor example?

It frustrates me because it perpetuates the idea among drivers that bikes belong on the sidewalks. If people saw the police out there in the street with us it would boost our legitimacy to drivers and make it a little safer out there.

I have thought about harassing them about it, but they come into the shop all the time and I have to work on their bikes, so that could make things awkward at the shop.

We could always just get bumper stickers printed that say "Share the Sidewalk" and donate them to the department to decorate their bikes.

[Christopher]

I've heard Kenzie talk about the "cops on sidewalks" issue a little bit. I don't remember their entire rationale, but at least part of it was that one of the main reasons they ride the bikes at all is to be more integrated with the community, have one on one contact, community policing type stuff, and that riding them on the street would cut out that aspect.

Raises the question of why they don't patrol on foot, but that's what I head. I suppose somebody could just ask 'em.
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http://www.lexingtonbikeracecalendar.com

[jkizzle]

Id rather them be on the sidewalks than not on bikes at all. If people see cops on bikes, they are more prone to giving all cyclists respect.

[brokebike]