No. By blocking a bike lane, you’re putting every cyclists’ and motorists’ life behind you in danger. Obstructing rights-of-way is never a good idea and you shouldn’t do it.

No, with two exceptions. Bicycles are legal vehicles and, therefore, are required to ride in the same direction as motor vehicles in traffic. Riding against traffic—“contraflow riding,” as it’s called—is only allowed on streets where there is a specific contraflow bike lane, or a two-way bike lane.

Until the city and township can get lighting installed on the Manayunk Bridge, it closes at dusk and opens at Dawn. We frequently blog about this issue when updates are available.

According to NJDOT,  state law does not outlaw riding on the sidewalk, although some municipalities have passed ordinances that prohibit doing so. NJDOT also stresses that while riding on the sidewalk may not be illegal, it is not safe since sidewalks are mainly used by pedestrians.

The bike laws in suburban and rural parts of Pennsylvania can be obscure or inconsistently enforced. Here are links to resources that will tell you what the laws are in your section of the state.

(c) To pass a slower moving vehicle; (d) To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; (e) To travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded.

The Pennsylvania Bicycle Driver’s Manual is a guide to street bicycling and contains the state rules governing bicycles in the street. There are more resources on the PENNDOT Ride a Bike web page.

Drivers can merge into a bike lane in order to make a turn but must do so safely and yield to bicycles occupying the lane.

One of the biggest causes of confusion and danger on our streets is the lack of universal knowledge of bicycle laws. Laws vary by state and in some cases, by municipality. Here, in plain English, are the laws that pertain to bicycling riding in our region.

Sorry. Rules are rules. Don’t pass the cyclist unless you can do so safely providing four feet of space. And, let’s be honest here, if you’re in a rush on a city street, the most likely outcome of passing a cyclist is meeting that cyclist at the next red light or Stop Sign.

No. All vehicles are required to stop at stop signs. Failure to yield at Stop Signs is potentially dangerous for pedestrians looking to cross the street. So, please stop at Stop signs—and follow all other street signs and markings—including traffic lights, yield signs, and crosswalks.

Motor vehicle operators or passengers must make sure it is safe to exit into moving traffic. In other words, they need to check before opening their car doors. They bear the legal responsibility in dooring incidents.

Vehicles in Bike Lanes When a bicycle is proceeding straight and a vehicle in an adjacent lane is making a turn, the bicyclist has the right of way.

Bicycles must have brakes. (But we have not heard of any people riding brakeless fixed-gear bicycles, or fixie, being cited for breaking this rule.)

US trafficsigns

Driving can be exciting and demanding, provided that one understands and complies with traffic rules. You can improve traffic flow for everyone and raise your knowledge of road safety by becoming familiar with these 20 typical road signs and their interpretations. Always prioritise yourself and other people’s safety when driving, obey traffic signs, and drive responsibly. Drive Safely!

I was trying to ride over the Manayunk Bridge (which connects Manayunk and Lower Merion) and it was closed! What’s up with that?

Avoid biking in a vehicle’s blind spot as you approach an intersection so the driver knows you’re there before making a turn.

Highway driving may be an exciting experience because of the busy streets and unexpected bends that arise every few miles. Knowing the many types of traffic signs you may come across is crucial to driving these roads safely. To help drivers stay educated and drive with confidence, we will examine 20 of the most prevalent road signs in this blog article and offer interpretations.

Trafficsigns andmeaning

Are you 13 years of age or younger? Then sure, go ahead. Otherwise, you should ride on the street. Riding on the sidewalk is dangerous for pedestrians and drivers won’t expect you in the crosswalk when entering intersections.

Yes. Motorists are required to check their rear-view mirror for oncoming cyclists when opening a door into traffic or a bike lane. Check out “What to do in a crash” page for more details.

Go to the Bicycle Coalition’s “What to do in a crash” page. We have a series of steps you should take upon being in a crash, and have listed two lawyers there who work specifically with bicyclists involved in crashes.

Bicyclists are required by law to ride primarily to the right and to ride to the left only under certain conditions (39:4-14.2, 39:4-10.11) as follows. (a) To make a left turn from a left-turn lane or pocket;

You are not required to ride in the bike lane just because there’s a bike lane on the street. Sometimes the safest place to ride is the bike lane; sometimes it isn’t. Motorists often completely block bike lanes in Philadelphia, and the rider has no choice but to go around, into traffic. If you have to do this, please make sure the coast is clear for you to ride into traffic.

That said, in some cases, due to compromise and neighborhood concerns, some bike lanes have been marked “No Parking” zones, which means motorists are allowed to pull over for 20 minutes in case of emergency. Please do not abuse this privilege.

Sure—as long as you’re giving them four feet of passing space. In Pennsylvania, you are legally required to give a cyclist four feet of space when passing, and you can drive over the double-yellow lines to do this. If you can’t give four feet of space, you can’t pass. Also, please don’t honk at the cyclist. It doesn’t help anyone.

1500 Walnut St # 1107 | Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215-BICYCLEThe Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization, EIN: 23-2586631.

(b) To avoid debris, drains, or other hazardous conditions that make it impractical to ride on the right side of the roadway;

Because they are allowed to, and, sometimes, encouraged to. Bicycles are legal vehicles and cyclists are entitled to the same rights as all other legal vehicles. Sometimes, the safest path a cyclist can take is in the center of the street.

According to a 2012 a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling (Polzo v. County of Essex), shoulders are not bike lanes, therefore, bicyclists do not have full rights if riding their bicycle in a shoulder.

Safetysigns

In order to pass a bicycle, a vehicle must be able to give the bicyclist 4 feet of clearance before passing. Drivers may cross the double-yellow line in order to do so.

Want to know where and when cars are allowed to park in bike lanes? What are the “Rules of the Road” you hear proclaimed from electronic roadside signs? You’ve come to the right place.

You should do that. Cyclists are allowed to ride two-abreast in the bike lane, whether it’s a standard 5-foot lane or a buffered/protected 10-foot lane.

A bicycle is a legal vehicle, entitled to the same rights and responsibilities as a car. One exception: bicycles are not allowed on highways.