Share the Road 101
What is Share the Road?
Bike Utah is committed to increasing the safety of bicyclists through partnerships, legislation, infrastructure, and education. To promote safety in Utah both motorists and bicyclists must be educated about share the road. Share the road encompasses all aspects of road safety, to alert motorists that cyclists and motorcyclists are also present on the road. When people become well-versed in these laws mutual respect is fostered so that both motorists and cyclists can get to their destination safely.
Roadways are shared passageways for the use of all vehicles. It is important to understand that accessible routes for all vehicles are a necessity. Bicycles are vehicles, therefore must be considered equals in terms of access, rights, and use of our public roads.
Legal Responsibilities of a Motorist:
Familiarizing yourself with laws that apply to motorists is the best way to promote share the road. Motorists have the same responsibility as cyclists to share the road. Some drivers may take the following risks, but the corresponding state laws remind us that these actions may have serious consequences:
Driving offensively: Don’t follow any vehicle (including a bicycle) too closely (41-6a-711 )
Erratic behavior around cyclists: Motorists may cross the centerline (41-6a-701) or the center two-way left-turn lane (41-6a-710)to pass a bicycle if it can be done safely.
Speeding:
Not giving cyclists enough room as you pass them: Motorists may not pass within 3-feet of a moving bicycle (41-6a-706.5).
Disrespecting other road users: Motorists may not attempt to distract a bicyclist for the purpose of causing injury or force a bicyclist off the roadway (41-6a-706.5).
Not using indicators: Always signal your intention to turn right or left, change lanes, or stop at least two seconds before doing so (41-6a-804). A person may not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the operator of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give a signal (41-6a-804).
Getting distracted by handheld devices: Don’t drive carelessly or distracted (41-6a-1715 ). This includes not texting or emailing while driving (41-6a-1716 ).
Being under the influence: Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (41-6a-502).
As a motorist, it is your responsibility to focus on driving and the road. You may have observed other drivers breaking these laws without consequences, but remember bicycles are smaller and they are no match against large motor vehicles. No one is a better driver for taking risks and managing to avoid a crash or criminal charge. No risk is worth possibly taking a life.
Drivers can encourage other drivers to treat other vehicles—including cyclists—with courtesy by observing the following:
Motorists may cross the centerline (41-6a-701) or the center two-way left-turn lane (41-6a-710) to pass a bicycle if it can be done safely.
When traveling in a merging lane, yield the right-of-way to all vehicles (including bicycles) traveling in the continuing lane (41-6a-903).
When turning left, yield to any vehicle (including bicycles) approaching from the opposite direction (41-6a-903).
When turning right, yield to any vehicle (including bicycles) in the intersection or adjacent crosswalk (41-6a-305).
Always scanning the road, shoulder, and crosswalks for cyclists.
Checking the cyclists’ movement for any indication of turning or changing lanes.
Only passing when it is safe to do so at a slower speed without oncoming traffic.
By taking the initiative to safely drive defensively, a driver can exemplify how seamless sharing the road can be. This is especially important for people learning to drive and beginning cyclists who are inexperienced road users. The best practice is for motorists to treat cyclists how they would want to be treated while cycling, and vice versa. The key is courtesy.
Legal Responsibilities of a Cyclist:
People on bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. A “Bicycle” means every device propelled by human power by feet or hands acting upon pedals or cranks, with seat for the operator, and wheels 14 inches or greater in diameter (41-6a-102)
Always signal: Always signal your intention to turn right or left, change lanes, or stop at least two seconds before doing so (41-6a-804). You do not have to maintain a continuous signal if you need your hand to control the bike. Once stopped in a designated turn lane you are not required to signal again before turning (41-6a-1109 ).
The acceptable hand signals are:
Left turn – left hand and arm extended horizontally;
Right turn – left hand and arm extended upward or right hand and arm extended horizontally; and
Stop or decrease speed – left hand and arm extended downward (41-6a-804).
Obey Traffic Laws and Signals: Your bicycle is considered a vehicle and you have the same rights and are subject to the same provisions as the operator of any other vehicle (41-6a-1102). This includes obeying traffic signals (41-6a-305)., stop and yield signs (41-6a-902), and all other official traffic control devices (41-6a-208).
Always yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when overtaking them. Use care and safe speeds to avoid collisions. Never ride where bicycles are prohibited (41-6a-1106 ).
Ride in a straight, predictable manner: Ride in the same direction as traffic (41-6a-1105 ).
Ride with Traffic, in the Bike Lane when possible: In some instances where an off-roadway bike path has been provided, you may be directed by an official traffic control device to use the path rather than the roadway (41-6a-1105 ).
A bicyclist may pass other vehicles on the right by driving off the roadway (41-6a-705).
Ride as far to the right as practicable except when:
Passing another bike or vehicle,
Preparing to turn left,
Going straight through an intersection past a right-turn-only lane,
Avoiding unsafe conditions on the right-hand edge of the roadway,
Traveling in a lane too narrow to safely ride side-by-side with another vehicle (41-6a-1105).
Ride no more than two abreast and then only if you would not impede traffic (41-6a-1105 ).
Increase Your visibility with lights and reflective gear: You are required to have a white headlight, red tail light or reflector, and side reflectors, all visible for at least 500 feet (41-6a-1114) any time you ride earlier than a half hour before sunrise, later than a half hour after sunset, or whenever it is otherwise difficult to make out vehicles 1000 feet away (41-6a-1603).
Check your equipment - do your brakes work?: You must have brakes capable of stopping you within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement (41-6a-1113 ).
Share the sidewalk - though the safest place to ride is on the road, cyclists often use facilities located on sidewalks. Make sure you don’t block the sidewalk and impede pedestrian traffic.
Beyond the Road:
Beyond the nature of one’s behavior on the road, one can also promote share the road by fostering a space for dialogue and advocacy on the subject. After learning about share the road and applying these skills to driving and/or cycling, you will be able to introduce this concept to other people. This is a universal concept that any motorist and cyclist can implement for the safety of themselves and others. Here are a few talking points you can use when introducing share the road to others:
Bicycles are vehicles and, as such, bicycle riders on public streets and highways have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers (motorists).
Drivers of motor vehicles must treat bicycle riders the same as drivers of other vehicles.
Utah law requires a minimum of three feet of distance from any bicyclist or vulnerable user of the highway you are passing.
Over 39,000 people are killed or injured while biking in the United States every year. Be cautious and courteous when you approach someone on a bicycle.
Bicyclists must ride predictably to avoid crashes by riding in a straight line in the same direction as traffic, using the standard hand and arm signals, and obeying traffic signs.
Share the road does not mean cyclists must stay to the right of the lane. Cyclists may use the full lane when a parallel protected bike lane or pathway is not available.
Bike Utah is one of many organizations that provide resources for learning more about road safety, and we are primarily informed by Utah state law and major city ordinances. Traffic laws may vary for other states and cities--including cities within Utah. So it is important to access your city transportation department, and state departments of motor vehicles and public safety to find out what the laws are specifically where you drive and ride. Learn how these laws apply to your daily activities as a motorist or cyclist and familiarize yourself with your local advocacy groups to support the ongoing mission of making roads safe in your community.
Through our programs such as the 1,000 Miles Campaign and the Youth Best Program we strive to collaborate with all levels of government, organizations, agencies, businesses, and the general public to develop active transportation plans, educate thousands of children and adults, increase safety through legislation.
