NEVADA’S LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR BICYCLES

During this past summer and fall there have been numerous vehicle-bicycle accidents, some resulting in serious injury or death to the cyclist. There are numerous Nevada Revised Statutes regarding bicycles on our public roads. Given below is a summary.

After a brief definition of a bicycle (usually a "device propelled by human power upon which a person may ride, having two tandem wheels...") the statutes address bicycles on "controlled-access" highways. For example, you cannot ride a bicycle on I-80 through Reno.

The next section covers "vehicles and bicycles". Drivers of motor vehicles cannot "intentionally interfere with the movement of a person lawfully riding a bicycle; or overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle unless he can do so safely" without endangering the cyclist. Further, it prohibits motor vehicles from stopping or driving on a bike lane or path (except for emergency, making a turn, etc.). Finally, it is stipulated that cyclists must not intentionally interfere with vehicle traffic and should not pass motor vehicles unless it can be done safely.

The next section holds parents or guardians responsible for their children if they authorize or permit their kids to violate any of these statutes. Following that there is the statement that "traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles" (speeding, yielding to pedestrians, riding on the right side of the road, signaling turns, stopping for red lights, and so on).

Specific bicycling problems are addressed in the next four parts:

(1) People on bicycles must ride "upon or astride a permanent and regular seat" with no more on that bike than the number for which it was designed;

(2) Cyclists cannot cling to another vehicle moving on the roadway;

(3) Cyclists should under most circumstances "ride as far to the right side of the roadway as practicable" and never more than two
        abreast; and

(4) "No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand
        upon the handlebars".

Most experts agree that the most dangerous time for cyclists on public streets and highways is after dark. It is sometimes difficult to see a bike in broad daylight, but after dark without bright illumination it can be almost impossible. Nevada Revised Statutes require the following minimum: A front headlight, "visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front"; a red reflector on the rear "visible from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear" (when in front of a car's low beam headlights); "reflective material of a sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides of the bicycle for 600 feet" (when in a car's low beams) or "a lamp similarly visible from the sides" (minimum 500 feet). Finally, the law states that bicycles must have functioning brakes ("enable the operator to make the wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement").