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Texas state law does not specifically prohibit cycling on sidewalks. The Texas Transportation Code treats bicycles as vehicles when ridden on roadways, but it stays silent on sidewalk use. This creates a gray area that shifts responsibility to cities and counties. What this means is simple. State law won’t penalize you for sidewalk cycling, but your local government might.
Local Ordinances Control Sidewalk Cycling
Cities across Texas have their own rules. Some ban sidewalk cycling entirely in business districts. Others allow it everywhere. A few prohibit it completely. Richardson, for example, restricts sidewalk cycling in certain commercial areas. Dallas prohibits it in the central business district. Fort Worth allows it in most places but requires cyclists to yield to pedestrians. If you ride on sidewalks regularly, check your city’s municipal code. What’s legal in one town might earn you a ticket in the next.
Bike Paths And Shared-Use Trails
Texas encourages bike path construction through various state programs. When a designated bike lane or shared-use path exists, cyclists generally have the right to use it. These paths fall under different rules than sidewalks or roadways. On shared-use paths, cyclists must:
- Yield to pedestrians
- Use audible warnings when passing
- Maintain safe speeds
- Stay right except when passing
- Follow posted signs and traffic signals
Some paths prohibit motorized vehicles entirely. Others allow electric bikes but set speed limits. Always check signage at the entrance.
When Sidewalk Cycling Becomes Dangerous
Even where legal, sidewalk cycling creates hazards. Driveways and alley entrances pose particular risks. Drivers pulling out often don’t expect fast-moving cyclists on sidewalks. Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks in every Texas city. A cyclist who strikes a pedestrian can face liability regardless of local ordinances. The same applies when cyclists enter crosswalks at speeds that prevent drivers from reacting. A Richardson bicycle accident lawyer sees these cases regularly. Determining fault requires understanding both state traffic laws and local cycling regulations.
Rights And Responsibilities On Roadways
Texas law gives cyclists the same rights as motor vehicles when riding on streets. This includes the right to use full lanes when bike lanes don’t exist. Cyclists must follow traffic signals, stop signs, and other rules that apply to cars. However, cyclists should ride as far right as practicable when moving slower than traffic. Exceptions apply when passing, preparing for left turns, or avoiding hazards.
What Happens After A Cycling Accident
Insurance companies often try to blame cyclists after accidents, regardless of who caused the collision. They might claim you shouldn’t have been on the sidewalk, even if local law permitted it. Or they might argue you violated traffic rules on the roadway. Documentation matters. Photos of the scene, witness statements, and police reports help establish what actually happened. Medical records prove the extent of your injuries. Kelso Law handles bicycle accident claims throughout North Texas. We know how local ordinances interact with state traffic laws. We also understand how insurance adjusters twist these rules to deny valid claims.
Know The Rules Where You Ride
Every cyclist should understand both state law and local ordinances. What works in your hometown might not apply to the next city over. When in doubt, use designated bike paths and lanes when available. If you’ve been injured while cycling, whether on a sidewalk, bike path, or roadway, legal help is available. A Richardson bicycle accident lawyer can review the specific circumstances of your accident and explain your options. Your recovery might depend on understanding which rules applied where the accident occurred.
