Traffic Laws for Bicyclists in Fort Worth
Cycling is a great way to get around Fort Worth; but following the rules of the road and wearing protective gear is crucial to a rider’s safety. Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries, including brain damage or traumatic amputations.
State law recognizes bicycles as vehicles; therefore, understanding traffic laws for bicyclists in Fort Worth is essential. When you or a loved one gets hurt in a bicycle accident, contact a skilled bike wreck attorney to determine if you have a legal claim for your injuries.
What Are Texas’ Bicycle Laws?
According to Tex. Transp. Code § 551.101, bicyclists must follow the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws when riding on public roads in Fort Worth, which includes stopping at streetlights or stop signs and yielding to pedestrians.
When cycling in Fort Worth, knowing local traffic laws is important. Bicyclists are expected to share the road with standard vehicles—each with the same obligation to follow road laws.
Bicyclists who break traffic laws are subject to the same penalties as motor vehicle drivers. Similarly, a bicyclist who causes an accident by violating a traffic law could be liable for negligence.
Safety Tips for Bicycling in Fort Worth
In Texas, a bicyclist has the same obligations on the road as a motorized vehicle driver. Bicyclists, like motorists, can be ticketed or penalized for not obeying vehicular traffic laws. When cycling around Fort Worth and other cities in Texas, there are important things riders can do to protect themselves and avoid collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles.
The Texas Department of Transportation recommends that bicyclists:
- Wear a helmet when riding their bicycle or bright or reflective gear at night
- Obey traffic signs and use hand signals to indicate to pedestrians and other vehicles where you are going
- Ride with traffic, never against traffic
- Ride as far to the right, in the right lane, as possible, use shoulders or bike lanes, and always watch for road hazards or debris
- When riding in the dark, use a headlight, taillight, and reflectors so cars and pedestrians can see the bicycle
- Keep one hand on the handlebars at all times
- Avoid using headphones so that you can hear cars and other hazards, and stay aware of your surroundings
The safety of a bicyclist and the drivers around them should be a rider’s
Bicycles are a great way to get to work and school, but bicycle accidents with pedestrians and other vehicles are common in Texas. As such, always obey traffic laws and ride safely to avoid collisions.
Contact an Attorney in Fort Worth to Discuss Traffic Laws for Bicyclists
Bicycle accidents are avoidable with proper safety precautions and careful driving. Motorists and bicyclists must follow the local traffic laws to ensure each other’s safety on the roadways. Although a negligent driver causes many bicycle accidents, sometimes the cyclist is negligent. A bicyclist can be held liable for negligence if they fail to use designated bike lanes, follow traffic laws, ride under the influence, or are otherwise distracted while operating their bike. If you were involved in a bicycle accident in Fort Worth, contact an attorney to discuss your claim.