Share the Road

It's an attitude!(GIF, 9KB)

Rules & tips

Take a moment to refresh on the Rules of the Road and courtesy. Rules of the Road

• Information for Drivers
• Information for Bicycle Riders
• Information for Pedestrians

Related: Bicycle Planning

The Laws

Code of the City of Lawrence 2011 Edition

• Chapter 17 – Traffic(PDF, 847KB) (PDF, 14 MB)

State

• Pedestrian Laws and Statutes
• Kansas Cycling Laws and Statutes
• Kansas Drivers License Handbook (PDF, 259 KB)

Information for Bicyclists

Tips for

motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Street-Smart Bicyclist

1. Obey the rules of the road: Follow the rules of the road and obey all traffic laws.  Bicyclists are subject to all the same duties that are applicable to drivers.

• • Don’t run red lights or stop signs.
  • Don’t ride at night without proper front head lamp lighting.
  • It is unlawful to ride a bicycle on Downtown Lawrence sidewalks.
  • Yield to pedestrians.

2. Ride with traffic: Ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practical except wherever a usable path has been provided adjacent to the roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and not the roadway. Follow lane markings, do not turn left from the right lane, and do not ride straight through from a right turn-only lane.
3. Bicyclists are encouraged to wear an approved helmet.  Always wear a proper fitting helmet in good condition.  Parents should set a good example by wearing their helmets.  Always wear a properly-fitted helmet. No matter how safely you ride, crashes can still happen. Bicyclists 15 years or younger are required to ride with a helmet
4. Ride in a straight line, be consistent in your riding, always look and signal prior to turning.
5. Signal turns: Always use hand signals to draw the driver’s attention.
6. Ride single file in traffic except when passing others.
7. Be visible and predictable. Do not jump back and forth from the sidewalk and the roadway and do not weave in and out of parked/stopped cars.
8. Use lights at night: Kansas Law requires a front head lamp with white light visible from 500’ and a rear red reflector visible from 100 to 600’ when riding after dusk.  In addition a lamp emitting a red light or flashing red light from the rear may be used.
9. Do not ride on sidewalks in Downtown Lawrence: It is unlawful to ride a bicycle on downtown area sidewalks and parking lots (City Ord. 17-702.1)
10. Children on bicycles and on foot are often unpredictable in their actions. Expect the unexpected.
11. Think ahead.  Ride defensively.  Anticipate drivers’ actions.  Establish eye contact.
12. Keep at least one hand on the handle bars at all times.
13. Do not ride with headphones.  You cannot hear traffic, trains, emergency vehicles or other warnings.
14. Bikes should be parked in bike racks or at parking meter adapters. Bikes should not be attached to trees, fire hydrants, traffic control devices, street lights, utility poles, or parking meter posts serving a space designated for disabled parking. Don’t park bicycles in the path of pedestrians or vehicles on streets, alleys, or sidewalks.  They must not obstruct or restrict access to handrails or ramps.
15. It is the duty of every bicyclist to make a report to the police department when such bicycle is involved in an accident resulting in injuries to any person or property damage exceeding $50.00.

Information for Motorists

Tips for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Street-Smart Motorist

1. Yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
2. Pass with care: Slow down when passing bicyclists.
3. Give bikes space: Give at least 3 feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist.
4. Look for bikes and pedestrians at intersections.
5. Expect bikes on the road
6. Look for cyclists when opening doors. Recognize situations that could be dangerous for bicyclists, like potholes, debris and drain grates. Give bicyclists enough room to maneuver around trouble spots.
7. Don’t honk your horn: Do not blast your horn when approaching a bicyclist – you could startle the rider and cause a crash.
8. Wait to pass: Do not pass a bicyclist if you will be making a right turn in front of them. Do not pass a bicyclist on a narrow two-lane road when oncoming traffic is near.
9. Children on bicycles and on foot are often unpredictable in their actions. Expect the unexpected.

Information for Pedestrians

Tips for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Street-Smart Pedestrian

• Always look both ways before crossing the street. Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again before you step into the street. Be sure to evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic before you step out into the street to ensure that a vehicle has adequate distance in which to stop safely.
• Cross the street only at intersections. Do not jaywalk. Use marked crosswalks where available. Do not cross in the middle of the street or block unless a marked mid-block crossing is provided. Do not cross the street from between parked cars-drivers may not see you and it is jaywalking.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets and continue to watch out for traffic the entire time you are in the crosswalk. Your life may depend on it, regardless of whether or not you have the right-of-way.
• At intersections, scan over your shoulder for turning vehicles. Make eye contact with the driver. Remember; don't take those "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" signs for granted. Always check for turning vehicles before stepping off the curb - motorists make mistakes too.
• Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night. Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.
• Always look for signs that a car is about to move (rear lights, exhaust smoke, sound of motor, wheels turning), and never walk behind a vehicle that is backing up.