A bike is to be operated the same as a motor vehicle in Kentucky and in Louisville. This means that if a car has to stop for a red light or a stop sign, so does a bike. 601 KAR 14:020. The state of Kentucky has a law that allows local municipalities to pass their own regulations on the use of bikes within their city. KRS 129.297, and Louisville passed their own regulations which specifically states that a bicycle is to stop at all stop signs and stoplights.
So if a cyclist fails to stop at a stoplight or sign, then he or she could be facing either state or city ticket.
Exceptions
The only exception is if the bicycle is not being ridden as a “vehicle” under state and city laws. In Louisville, a bike can ride in the lanes with traffic if it can keep up with the flow of traffic, and if it can’t then the cyclist has to either ride in a bike lane if one exists, or in the far right-hand side of the road.
However, if a cyclist rides on the sidewalk and not on the road, then it isn’t treated as a vehicle. State law allows bikes to operate on the sidewalks except where prohibited by a city ordinance. Louisville allows bikes on sidewalks except in the downtown retail zones.
Cyclist as a Pedestrian
Once the cyclist is riding on the sidewalk, then he or she is treated as a pedestrian. Pedestrians don’t have to stop for stop signs or signals; however, they do have to obey the rules for intersections and crosswalks.
Thus a cyclist riding on the sidewalk is allowed to turn on a corner and continue on the sidewalk without stopping for a light or a stop sign, but if the cyclist wants to cross the street, then he or she must stop at an intersection and only cross when a pedestrian is allowed to cross.
These rules are for the safety of the cyclist as they travel throughout the city. A cyclist is allowed to ride in the street or in a bike lane that is also in the street, and when doing so, must obey all traffic laws to keep safe.
Even then accidents happen, and cyclists are often injured due to the fault of a motorist. When this happens, the cyclist should speak to an attorney about their rights under the law. In Kentucky, an injured cyclist is allowed to collect compensation from the at-fault driver of a car.
Contact a Louisville Bicycle Attorney
When a cyclist is injured by a motor vehicle, the victim should talk to a Louisville Bicycle Attorney. The experienced insurance company agents will try to pay you as little as possible, or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field. Talk to someone you can trust to be on your side and get you what is yours under the law.
The attorneys at Kaufman and Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the results they deserve. To discuss your case, call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, at (800) 937-8443 or click here to contact them online.
