by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Bicycle Accident LawDecember 2, 20240 comments

Do Bicycles Have to Stop at Stop Signs in Arizona?

 Do Bicycles Have to Stop at Stop Signs in Arizona? In some situations, Arizona bicyclists are subject to motor vehicle laws. In other instances, Arizona cyclists are given their own set of laws under Arizona Traffic Code Articles.

In this article, we’ll determine the laws Arizona cyclists need to follow, helping you stay safe and compliant on your next bike ride. If you have a question about a specific situation, contact our team at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed today to schedule your free consultation.

Do Bicycles Have to Stop at Stop Signs in Arizona?

Cyclists riding on the roadway or on the shoulder of the roadway have the same rights as Arizona drivers under Arizona Section 28-812. As a result, cyclists must come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights. Other drivers will yield to bike riders in the same way they would another vehicle. Failure to stop at stop signs in Arizona can result in a traffic violation.

Making Left Turns

Similar to motor vehicles, bicycles operating on the main roadway can make left turns. When preparing to make a legal left turn, the same vehicle regulations apply. The bike rider must signal for the turn and obey traffic guidelines, like turn signals. If the bicyclist needs to move into the left lane to avoid an object, pedestrian, or other safety hazard, the same concepts apply.

Passing Other Cyclists

Bicyclists can pass other bicyclists if it is legally permitted on the roadway. Let’s say you are biking faster than another rider in front of you. If there are no cars or other obstacles in your way, you can move to the left and pass the cyclist. This is considered a legal pass under Arizona Section 28-815. When passing other cyclists, it’s important to understand that cars do not have to move over for you. Wait until there are no cars beside you to safely pass another cyclist.

Using a Bike to Commute

Many towns and municipalities in Arizona are bicycle-friendly. This means that it’s common for cyclists to commute to work or school using a bike. When commuting to work, be aware of the limitations of carrying items. Arizona Section 28-816 prohibits cyclists from carrying items that prevent them from keeping one hand on the wheel. Baskets and other storage compartments are permitted.

Summary

Remember, Arizona cyclists have different requirements when riding on sidewalks and bike paths. This makes it important that you understand the regulations you are subject to. In addition, each jurisdiction and city can have other cyclist laws you need to abide by. For more information on Arizona bike laws, check out our other blog posts.

If you’ve been in an accident as a bike rider, contact our team at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed today to schedule your free consultation. We can be your trusted expert when working through the Arizona court system to recover damages or limit liability.