Bicycle Laws Did you know it’s against the law to ride a bike on any sidewalk in Louisville if you’re over the age of 11? To see more bike laws, click here.

• See the causes for the 3 cyclist deaths in Louisville in 2008.
  
• To see a map of local cycling and pedestrian accidents, click here (5 MB PDF File).

Most of these accidents occur when a cyclist or motorist isn’t paying attention, or violates laws designed to protect cyclists.

We can all use the tips and resources below to help improve Louisville’s StreetSense … and reduce the number of cyclist injuries and deaths. 

Jump down to learn:
Where to Ride
How to Ride in Bike Lanes

Smart Moves for Cyclists

	Ride with the flow.
	Know rules/hazards of sidewalk cycling.
	Yield to traffic before entering or crossing a roadway.
	Yield to overtaking traffic before moving across one or more lanes.
	Come to a complete stop at every stop sign and red light.
	Ride in the farthest right lane that serves your destination.
	Signal turns and lane changes at least 50 feet in advance.
	Ride in the appropriate position in the lane you are using.
	Never ride in low light without two things: a bright, white non-flashing headlight and a rear red light or reflector.
	Maintain control of your bicycle always.
	Maintain your bike in good working order.
	Don't ride a bike if you've been drinking alcohol.
	Seek help from experienced cyclists.

Besides learning the rules of the road, riding a properly maintained bike and using necessary safety equipment, bicycle commuters must also put thought into what routes to ride.

Map your bike route with the new Ride Louisville tool. Click here. 

	Look for streets with low traffic volumes and few trucks or buses.
	Look for roads with wide lanes and paved shoulders.
	Pay attention to drainage grates, railroad crossings and other potential hazards.
	Aim for a route with few stop signs so you can keep up your speed.
	Don't dismiss hills. Although flat terrain requires less effort, hills can be relatively easy with a multigeared bike.
	Look for good pavement conditions.
	Check the bike lanes, maps and routes section of the Bike Louisville site.
	Scout your potential route by bike, not car, before you attempt to ride to work or school.
	Pick a reasonable distance for your commute. Base your decision on your abilities and experience.

	Bikes are not required to travel in bike lanes when preparing for turns
	Never ride within three feet of parked cars; beware of the door zone
	Avoid bike lanes that you think are poorly designed or unsafe; alert your local government

	Avoid riding in lanes that position you on the right side of a right turn lane
	Bike lanes should stop before an intersection to allow for bikes to make left turns
	Always signal as you move out of a bike lane into another traffic lane

Debris

	Report obstructions and poor maintenance to your local government
	Avoid riding immediately adjacent to curbs where trash collects
	If debris forces you out of the bike lane, signal your move out into traffic

	Never ride within three feet of parked cars
	Watch for brake lights, front wheels, signals and driver movements
	Position yourself in the field of vision of a motorist pulling out of a parking space

	Avoid riding in lanes that position you on the right side of a right turning motorist
	Move out of the right turn lane if you are not turning right
	Ride in the rightmost lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling

	Move out of the bike lane well in advance of the intersection; signal every move
	Position yourself in the rightmost left-turning lane
	Reposition yourself after executing the turn; remain clear of parked cars

• Courier-Journal.com - Linda Stahl's articles on cycling from October 20, 2005. See archived articles: 1 2 3
• Sources: Barry Zalph, executive director of nonprofit Bicycling for Louisville Inc.; "Effective Cycling" by John Forester (John Forester, 1999); League of American Bicyclists' BikeEd program; National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Traffic Safety Facts, 2003; Kentucky Revised Statutes, Kentucky Driver's Manual. 
• League of American Bicyclists