Williams | Robinson | Wiggins

Understanding the relationship between bicycles and motor vehicles with respect to rules of the road.

Bicycles are a common sight on city streets and occassionally state highways. In some cities, streets include a separate dedicated bicycle lane and, where they do not, bicycles can be operated on public roads protected by Missouri law. What rights do bicyclists have while riding on public roads? What obligations do bicyclists have when using those roads? Continue reading below to find out.

How does the law define "bicycle"? Bicycles along with motorized bicycles are defined by Missouri law (§ 307.180, RSMo.) as follows:

• The word "bicycle" shall mean every vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, or two parallel wheels and one or two forward or rear wheels, all of which are more than fourteen inches in diameter, except scooters and similar devices;
• The term "motorized bicycle" shall mean any two- or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty cubic centimeters, which produces less than three gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty miles per hour on level ground, but excluding an electric bicycle, as defined in section 301.010. A motorized bicycle shall be considered a motor vehicle for purposes of any homeowners' or renters' insurance policy.

What is an "electric bicycle"? Electric bicycles are self-propelled as well, but use a battery and electric motor, and are not included in the definition of a “motorized bicycle”. Electric bicycles are defined by Missouri law (§ 301.010.15, RSMo) as follows:

"Electric bicycle", a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals, a saddle or seat for the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes:

• "Class 1 electric bicycle", an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;
• "Class 2 electric bicycle", an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour; or
• "Class 3 electric bicycle", an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour.

Are there equipment requirements for operating a bicycle on a public road? Yes. Missouri law requires that bicycles being ridden on public roads be equipped with specified equipment that meets statutory specifications:

Every bicycle and motorized bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle or motorized bicycle within twenty-five feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement (§ 307.183, RSMo).

Every bicycle and motorized bicycle when in use on a street or highway during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise shall be equipped with the following (§ 307.185, RSMo.):

• A front-facing lamp on the front or carried by the rider which shall emit a white light visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at five hundred feet;
• A rear-facing red reflector, at least two square inches in reflective surface area, or a rear-facing red lamp, on the rear which shall be visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lower beams of vehicle headlights at six hundred feet; and
• Reflective material and/or lights visible on each side of the bicycle or bicyclist and visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at three hundred feet. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to motorized bicycles which comply with National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration regulations relating to reflectors on motorized bicycles.

What rights and duties do bicycle riders have? When operating on a public road, Missouri law (§ 307.188, RSMo.) gives the riders of bicycles and motorized bicycles all of the rights of motor vehicle operators, but also requires that bicyclists meet the applicable duties imposed by law on other motorists (Chapter 304, RSMo.) This includes a bicyclist's duty to obey all traffic signals and applicable rules of the road followed by operators of motor vehicles. In the absence of turn indicators, bicyclists are required to signal turns using hand signals prescribed in the motor vehicle code. Missouri law also requires that every person operating a vehicle, including a bicycle, on public roads and highways shall operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care (§ 304.012, RSMo.).

Is a license required to operate a bicycle on a public road? Operation of a "bicycle"" on a public road does not require an operator’s license. However, operation of a "motorized bicycle" on a public road does require a license, and a motorized bicycle may not be operated on an interstate highway (§ 307.195, RSMo.).

Who has the "right of way"? Generally speaking, bicyclists have the same right of way priveledges as do operators of motor vehicles. That said, Missouri law prohibits the operation of any vehicle upon a public road in a manner that interferes or impedes the normal flow of traffic (see e.g., § 304.011, RSMo.). Thus, bicyclists should often expect to yield the right of way to faster moving traffic.

Must I operate my bicycle on the right side of the road? Missouri law requires bicyclists travelling at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic to ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe (including on the shoulder of the road), exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street (§ 307.190-191, RSMo.).

Can I ride my bicycle on the sidewalk? Yes, but under limited circumstances. Missouri law (§ 300.347, RSMo.) sets limits as follows:

• No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district.
• Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
• No person shall ride a motorized bicycle upon a sidewalk.

Summary. Motorists keep a careful lookout for bicyclists on public roads. At the same time, bicyclists must ride defensively because, while bicycles can share public roads with cars and trucks, bicyclists simply do not have the same level of physical protection as do the operators of motor vehicles or those who sit in the passenger compartment of those vehicles.

Did you know? The above information is presented by Williams | Robinson | Wiggins as a public service and to generally outline the law in a particular area. It is not provided and is not intended as legal advice tailored to you or to your unique situation. Every legal matter depends upon specific facts which an attorney hired by you must consider in forming legal opinions and advice.

Need more information? If you need more information or have questions, you may contact us at(573) 341-2266 to obtain more detailed assistance.