Cyclists in Arizona have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, along with additional laws specific to them. These rights and laws are in place to protect and keep all roadway users safe. Read on to learn more about Phoenix bicycle laws.
In Arizona, the same laws that govern cars apply to those riding a bicycle, but this may differ from Arizona scooter laws. While riding a bike, you must stop at stop lights, yield to pedestrians and signal when changing lanes.(Source: Phoenix.gov).
As bicycles are a specialized vehicle, there are additional laws in place to protect them while on the road. When riding you must:
- Ride as close to the curb as possible. If you are on a street that doesn’t have a bike path, stay as close to the edge of the road as possible. (source: Bicycle Universe)
- If you are riding with another person or persons, no more than 2 cyclists should ever ride side by side in the lane of traffic. (Source: Phoenix.gov)
- When riding at night, you must mount a white light on the front of your bicycle. The light must be visible from a minimum of 500 feet away. Your bike must also have a red reflector light on the back so vehicles driving behind you can see you. (source: Bicycle Universe)
- Every bicycle must be equipped with at least one break that will make the wheel skid when applied. (Source: Phoenix.gov)
- You must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.(source: Phoenix.gov)
- Additional laws concerning bicycle use will vary by city. You may want to check the regulations for areas you often bike in to protect yourself.
Safety is the most important factor when riding your bicycle, and riding on bike paths are one of the best ways to avoid accidents with motor vehicles. Phoenix has many amazing bike paths. Here are 3 of our favorites:
- Papago Park: Located just 10 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Papago Park is one of the most beautiful in Arizona, winding around the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. This park has many paved trails as well as loose rock trails perfect for mountain biking.
- Arizona Canal Path: This almost 70-mile long path offers a flat route for bikers with no traffic. This is one of the longest multi-use trails in the state. Choose how far you want to ride and follow the path.
- Dreamy Draw Bikeway: Ride along Dreamy Draw for beautiful views of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. This bike path runs 2.1 miles and paved the entire way. While you won’t run into bicycles, you will see plenty of hikers exploring the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area.
Learn more about Phoenix biking laws here.