Idaho Code | Basic Bicycle Safety | What Ride Idaho Expects From Its Cyclists
What Cyclists Can Expect From Ride Idaho | Riding a Bike in Idaho | Safety Website Links
What Cyclists Can Expect From Ride Idaho | Riding a Bike in Idaho | Safety Website Links
Ride Idaho's number one priority is the safety of all our participants. Even though we know that all RIDE IDAHO participants are very responsible, and fully understand and follow all bicycle-appropriate rules when it comes to sharing roads with vehicles, as well as other cyclists, we would like to remind everyone of the following applicable rules, paraphrased from the Idaho Code, Title 49, Chapter 7.
IDAHO STATE LAW
SECTION 49-714: TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO ALL PERSONS ON BICYCLES AND OTHER ‘HUMAN-POWERED'VEHICLES – DUE CARE!.
Bicyclists are operators of vehicles and must comply with all applicable traffic laws. The appropriate law enforcement officials can issue those cyclists, who violate and law, at any time, a citation.
SECTION 49-716: CLINGING TO, OR FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
DO NOT DRAFT BEHIND ANY VEHICLES! Cyclists shall not follow a vehicle so close as to constitute an immediate hazard to either the cyclist or other participants. Cyclist shall not “attach” him or her to any vehicle on the highway.
SECTION 49-717: POSITION ON THE HIGHWAY.
All cyclists shall position themselves as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except:
a) When overtaking or passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.SECTION 49-718: RIDING TWO ABREAST.
b) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
c) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, other bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or substandard-width lanes, which may make it unsafe to continue as close to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
Cyclists shall not ride more than two (2) abreast on highways, except on paths or parts of the highway, set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, and only when it is safe to do so, where traffic is not blocked or slowed, or other cyclists are forced to swing out wide to pass. Cyclist riding to two (2) abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, and shall ride within a single lane on a “laned” roadway.
SECTION 49-720: STOPPING – TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.
Cyclists shall slow down, and if required for safety, stop before entering intersections. When approaching a steady red traffic-control signal, all cyclists shall stop before entering the intersection or junction, except that the cyclist, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn without stopping, or may make a left-hand turn onto a one-way highway without stopping. Cyclist shall use arm signals, when safe, to alert vehicles and other cyclist s approaching from behind, to indicate turns.
Other considerations: Arm and hand signals should be used as a courtesy to warn other cyclist of potholes, rough patches of pavement, broken glass, gravel and rocks, obstacles and any other potential hazards.
Signal, if you intend to pull of f the highway or drop back to the rear of your group.
Call “car back” if you know of any vehicle approaching from behind.
SECTION 49-722: BICYCLE RACING.
Racing on Idaho highways is prohibited.
Pace lines are prohibited in high areas of vehicle or bicycle traffic and are limited to a maximum of seven riders. (The Ride Idaho staff does not recommend pace lines on any portion of our routes)
From the IDAHO DRIVER'S MANUAL (October 2007)
Bicycles are legally allowed to ride on all Idaho roadways, have the same rights as motorists, and are required to ride with the flow of traffic. They must ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway as safety allows, except when passing, turning left, avoiding an obstacle, or when the roadway does not allow a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side.
In Idaho, cyclists do not need to come to a complete stop at stop signs. They must, however, yield the right-of-way to vehicles in or already at the intersection, and then proceed with caution through the intersection.
Bicyclists may proceed with caution through a red light after stopping and yielding the
right-of-way to vehicles already in the intersection. They do not need to come to a complete stop when turning right on a red light. However, they must yield the right of way to vehicles already in the intersection.
