City of Dallas Bike Laws
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute reports that over 700 bicyclists died on the roads in 2008. The City of Dallas requires riders to follow laws while biking within the city's limits. The city accommodates bicycle riders by providing them with an abundance of biking lanes, paths and recreation areas to help keep them safe. By following specific laws throughout the city, bikers lessen their chances of becoming involved in an accident or receiving an injury.
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Helmets
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Bicycle riders must wear helmets at all times, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. This law went into effect in 1996. Although no federal law currently mandates that bicycle riders must wear helmets, most states in the United States began passing laws in 1987 to protect bicycle riders from severe head injuries. Other areas around Dallas, such as Fort Worth, require only persons under the age of 18 to wear helmets; however, the City of Dallas imposes this law on bicycle riders of all ages.
Bicycles Are Vehicles
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Bicyclists using Dallas streets during a ride must follow all traffic signs. This includes all stop and yield signs and turn signals. All riders in the Dallas area possess the same rights and responsibilities as any motor vehicle drivers. Bicyclists that do not follow street signs and laws are subject to the same penalties as a motor vehicle driver.
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Bike Lanes
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When using a bike lane, all cyclists must obey traffic signs and other laws affecting vehicles. Dallas offers bicyclists over 365 miles of bike routes in the city, which consist of on-road bike lanes and off-road biking trails. The city requires riders to stay in the bicycle lanes at all times when cycling on a city street. The Greater Dallas Bike Plan map can help riders plan safe routes throughout the city.
Dallas Area Rapid Transport Rules
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Dallas Area Rapid Transport allows cyclists to stow their bicycles in the buses' storage compartments. The bus company, run by the City of Dallas, mandates bicycles can only be stored in a bus storage compartment if they are clean and free of mud and grease. The storage compartment is located underneath or in front of the vehicle and provides riders a safe alternative to traversing busier sections of the city by bike.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit riding bike image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
