Please point me tio State by State Law that pertain to bicycle riders
 

Got into an argument with a CRETIN today who says riding his bicyle on a sidewalk is where he needs be, unless there is a designated Bicycle Lane.


GRRRRRRR

So, if they were a cretin then why were you arguing with them?

Isn't this an issue for Dear Abby?

I'd be inclined to stay away from your somewhat prattling demeanor. It sounds like you are a bigger problem.

Go to google.com and type your state name and bicycle laws in the box.

Don't type "your state name" in the box, type the actual name of the stat you live in, like Montana, Arizona, etc.

In Maryland, specifically in my county, it is whacko.

State-No
(my)County-Yes
(surrounding)City-No, city south of my city-Yes

So, In my locale, both you and the cretin would be right and wrong. Also, His saying that he needs to be on the sidewalk for lack of a bicycle lane. Could be purely emotional. Pursuant to his riding skill level and his willingness to ride on the road when there isn't a bicycle lane.

Here is the page from the League of American Bicyclists: State Bike Laws | League of American Bicyclists

Where I live it is legal, but not advised (state DOT website) in all areas except downtown Salt Lake and St. George.

Where I work, Kansas, I actually don't know. Because ride on the street, which is legal, I haven't bothered to research further.


In large part, because you haven't given a location, it is impossible for anyone here to provide you with an answers; because answers to that question are location specific.

There's no point in arguing with these people. Just remember, everyone has a right to be wrong, as long as he's not doing anything more than talking.

Go to your [state].gov website and see if they have a handy search function for statutes and laws. That's where I know to look up state law in my state...

Bingo that is what I was looking for than you so much.

So I will print off our law, and say to sidewalk rider your are incorrect.

The problem is that right down at the city level, they may have other laws that further modify the state laws... That's why it is so important to know exactly where you are when you want to know what the laws are.

Which, to me, is confusing at best. The basic traffic laws should be uniform across the states and should not be overridable, IMO.

One would like to think so, but each state has the right to have slight variances in their traffic law... and each jurisdiction within a state can have modifications to the laws. It is counfusing, but it is due to our federalist system of laws.

Consider these examples for instance: requirements for registering to vote vary state; marijuana laws vary state by state; and yes there are slight variances for driving laws state by state... most notable by the different types of insurance and even by the differences in drivers license on a state by state basis.

There is a uniform code that outlines the basic laws at a national level, but at the state level these may or may not be adopted.

Yes it is complicated... but usually not all that confusing.

Even in some sections of a town the rules can be different. Using a sign can restrict riding in some places. Bikes are not allowed in a couple of urban places, and also on high speed restricted highways where I live.

Right, quite often there are different rules for riding on sidewalks... where it might be legal and "encouraged" in suburban areas, in downtown business areas, it may be unlawful.

Exactly.

In my state, in most places, it is legal to ride on the sidewalk. In a very busy tourist area, in a town I ride in occasionally, the foot traffic has the sidewalks literally filled with walkers. It is not legal on that one street to ride on the sidewalks. There a couple of signs posted.