For some, biking is a main mode of transportation. For others, cycling is a favorite form of exercise or a fun weekend hobby. Whatever your reason for riding, there are bicycle laws in Arkansas to consider.
What are Arkansas’s Bicycle Laws?
Each state has its own laws concerning cyclists. In Arkansas, those laws are fairly straightforward. But what are they? Let’s take a look at the specific regulations that apply to bike riding in The Natural State. First, we’ll outline six primary principles every cyclist in Arkansas should follow. Then, we’ll dive further into Arkansas’s cycling laws.
Six Primary Principles for Arkansas Cyclists
Most rules surrounding bikes on the road in Arkansas fall into six principles:
- Drive on the right half of the roadway.
- Obey all traffic signals.
- Yield to crossing traffic on larger roads.
- Signal lane changes and yield to existing traffic in the new lane.
- Position yourself concerning the direction of your destination when approaching an intersection.
- Between intersections, position yourself according to your speed relative to traffic.
These six principles and more can be found within the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Rules for Cyclists. Now let’s dive further into the rules of the road and how they apply to cyclists in our state.
Bicycles are not considered “vehicles” in Arkansas.
However, cyclists are still granted all the “rights and duties” of someone driving a motor vehicle. For example, a cyclist must yield to pedestrians, ride in the right half of the roadway, and signal (using arm signals) when making a turn.
There are two exceptions to this rule:
- A bicycle-specific law contradicts or alters a right/duty
- A specific right/duty that applies to a car driver cannot logically apply to a bike rider
While a bicycle is not considered a “vehicle” in Arkansas, cyclists are still required to follow the rules of the road.
Cyclists can run red lights.
Sort of. Arkansas recently passed a bicycle-friendly law – Act 650 was signed into law in April 2019. This new law changes how cyclists approach stop signs and red lights. The Arkansas bicycle law allows cyclists to:
- treat stop signs as yield signs and…
- treat red lights as stop signs – with a few conditions.
There is an important stipulation: cyclists are still required to yield to any oncoming traffic. Act 650 stipulates that bicyclists should yield to “all oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard.”
If a vehicle is approaching the intersection, the bike rider must follow right-of-way laws. Bicyclists must also yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, both marked and unmarked. All other traffic laws still apply.
Act 650 aims to help bicyclists safely navigate intersections, essentially giving them a “head start,” and to encourage bike riders to use less busy side streets.
For more about intersection etiquette: Who Goes First at a 4-Way Stop?
Can you ride your bicycle on the sidewalk?
There are no bicycle laws in Arkansas that prohibit riding on the sidewalk. Some cities, however, have local ordinances that govern the issue: Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Hot Springs, to name a few.
Some cities limit the prohibition to business districts; in others, the entire city restricts bicycles from sidewalks. For example, North Little Rock indirectly prohibits bikes from all city sidewalks. Little Rock, Hot Springs, Conway, Fayetteville, Maumelle, and Fort Smith directly prohibit cyclists from riding on the sidewalks in the “business district.”
A business district is defined as the territory contiguous to and including a highway when 50% or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business. Want to read more of Arkansas’s definitions as they pertain to cycling laws? Click HERE.
Check with your local government to learn more. It’s best to contact your local officials to clarify when and where you’re allowed to bike on the sidewalk in your city.
Speaking of checking with your local government, this is the perfect time to point out that Little Rock and Fayetteville additionally require bicycles to be equipped with a bell or device to warn pedestrians.
If your city or town doesn’t have a local law, then you may choose to ride on the sidewalk. If you do, be considerate of pedestrians and ride with caution.
And remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way according to Arkansas law. Exercise caution and avoid using the sidewalk in times and areas where you’ll likely encounter pedestrians afoot. Better safe than sorry!
Cyclists are not required to wear a helmet.
Arkansas state law does not require bicyclists to wear a helmet. Of course, we highly recommend wearing one.
Data indicates that in the case of an accident, helmets save lives. Nonetheless, you’re not required by law to wear a helmet in Arkansas.
Bicycles must have a headlamp and taillight.
If you ride at night, Arkansas bicycle law requires that your bike have an active white headlight on the front and an active red tail light on the back. Both must be visible from at least 500 feet away.
Every bicycle, regardless of the time of day, must have a lamp on the front with a white light visible from at least 500 feet and a lamp on the rear with a red light visible from at least 500 feet. According to Arkansas law, “a red reflector meeting the requirement of being visible from a distance of 500 feet may be used in lieu of a rear light.” However…
The standard-issue reflectors that come on most bikes won’t satisfy this requirement, so be sure to make the upgrade yourself.
It’s important to note that when riding at night, Arkansas law requires that you have an “active” lighting system. Reflectors, like those that come equipped, are passive lights.
You cannot ride your bicycle on the freeway in AR.
Yes, cyclists in Arkansas are permitted to ride their bikes on any public road, street, or highway in the state. However, bicycles are restricted from riding on freeways and controlled-access highways. Freeways and interstates, where cars are traveling at high speeds, would put cyclists in unnecessary danger.
Otherwise, bicycle laws in Arkansas do not restrict cyclists to bike paths. Cyclists can use any public road, street, or highway in the state.
Maintain a 3-foot distance between a car and a bicycle.
Motorists in Arkansas must keep 3 feet of distance between their car and any bicyclist at all times. This “3 Feet Rule” is law in 25 other states, as well.
This law is especially important when a driver wants to pass a slower-moving bicycle. If it’s not possible to pass while maintaining three feet of distance, drivers should wait until the road widens or traffic thins out.
Cyclists, check out this hack to help drivers keep their 3 feet of distance.
There’s a speed limit for bicycles.
Yes – bicycles are governed by the same speed limits as cars. This falls under the “rights and duties” mentioned above. Bike riders must follow any posted speed limits and exercise caution around vehicles and pedestrians.
Of course, it’s unlikely that you’d surpass the speed limit on a bicycle. On a road bike, even the most experienced riders rarely exceed 30 mph.
For more on speed limits in Arkansas: Is It Illegal to Drive Slow in the Left Lane?
Bicycles can use crosswalks.
Yes, cyclists are permitted to use crosswalks in Arkansas. A person lawfully operating a bicycle has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian using a crosswalk. However, in accordance with Arkansas Code 27-51-1804, a cyclist using a crosswalk must:
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians; and
- Give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
Learn more: Pedestrian Traffic Laws in Arkansas
Who’s at fault if a cyclist and a car are involved in a wreck?
While collisions between bicycles and cars are infrequent, they do happen. And they happen most often at intersections. Only 11% of bike accidents involve a car, but of those that do, 45% occur at intersections.
Just as with car-to-car collisions, both the cyclist and car driver have a duty to drive responsibly and take reasonable steps to avoid a wreck. “Who’s at fault” depends on how each party reacted in the scenario. A cyclist who failed to yield to a car that arrived first at a four-way stop, for example, may be at fault. On the other hand, if a driver failed to maintain a 3-foot distance while passing a biker, resulting in a collision, the driver would likely be found at fault.
Questions about an accident? Contact Taylor King Law.
Do you have questions about bicycle laws in Arkansas? We’re here to help. Call us today at 870.246.0505. You can also reach us online through our chat feature or using our Online Contact Form. You’re just a call or click away from getting the help you need.
Injured in a bicycle accident? We’re here to help. Taylor King Law has a team of attorneys who will be on your side – by your side. We’ve been helping our friends and neighbors for more than 30 years.
Image Courtesy of: Coen Van de Broek
