Nevada is highly renowned for being a great destination for cyclists. Numerous bike paths, parks, trails, and biking clubs, some of which date back to the time when European settlers first arrived in the state, are crisscrossed throughout the state. In light of this, Nevada has enacted several laws aimed at protecting cyclists and making cycling a safer option for individuals. This blog covers the Nevada bicycle laws that you should know.

Understanding Nevada's Bicycle Laws

As a starting point, below are some general Nevada ordinances and laws that concern bicycle riders:

  • Helmet use is not mandatory under Nevada law, although it is strongly recommended for your protection.
  • For safety reasons, cyclists should always have at least one hand on the handlebar to control their bicycle.
  • In the same situations as any other automobile, cyclists must use hand signals rather than blinkers to indicate turns.
  • When there are no other bike lanes available and they can keep up with the flow of traffic, cyclists can use the regular motorist lanes. However, they should always stay in the far right lane if possible.
  • Whenever it's safe to do so, cyclists who share a lane with other motorists should make an effort to move off the road so that cars can pass them if at least 5 vehicles are following behind.
  • Cyclists can use the sidewalks in most parts of Nevada. However, they could not be allowed in certain regions. Cyclists should also dismount when approaching a pedestrian crosswalk.
  • NRS 484B.783 requires that cyclists who ride at nighttime do so with appropriate visibility gear fitted to their bicycles.
  • Drinking while cycling is not fundamentally prohibited and doesn't result in a DUI. However, being inebriated on a bicycle could result in a reckless endangerment charge depending on how your drunkenness impairs your ability to cycle safely. It's worth noting that there's no precise BAC limit, but your impairment is what counts.

Bicycles are generally required to abide by all other traffic rules that apply to other types of vehicles, including speed limits, traffic signs, following the direction of traffic, not veering into oncoming lanes, and many more.

Nevada's Bicycle Interference

Throwing things at cyclists is illegal under NRS 205.2741. It is against the law to throw rocks or any other object at someone who is cycling. Additionally, it's illegal to damage or vandalize a bicycle. Breaking this law is likely to attract misdemeanor charges.

Vehicle Interference With Cyclists

Under Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.270, it is illegal for the motorist in a motor vehicle to interfere with a bicyclist. Overtaking a bicyclist is not allowed unless it is done safely. Interfering with a cyclist while operating a motor vehicle puts the motorist at risk of not only breaking the law but also of suffering civil culpability if an accident happens.

Riding a Bicycle With Traffic

Nevada provides straightforward rules for how bicycles and cars should safely interact on the roads. Bicycles can be ridden on the street across the entire state, as well as most sidewalks unless otherwise mandated by the local laws (this often happens in big cities such as Reno).

In Nevada, motorists are expected to provide bicyclists at least three feet of space when sharing the road. This is often referred to as the vulnerable road user statute, which details penalties for motorists who break the law and injure or cause cyclist fatalities.

This law only applies to single-lane roadways. More specifically, Nevada law mandates that motorists allow cyclists the entire lane when traveling on multi-lane roadways.

Cyclists, in turn, should maintain a safe distance of three feet or more from parked vehicles. It is also strongly advised that cyclists pay great attention to oncoming traffic to avoid following too closely or being in a car's blind spot. Additionally, it's against the law to ride when holding onto a vehicle or to load a bike with so much stuff that the cyclist is unable to maintain a firm grip on the bars.

Cyclists have to remain at the furthest right, except when:

  • Riding is too risky (for example, if there is wildlife, debris, construction, etc).
  • When turning left.
  • If their speed matches that of the nearby vehicles.

Bicyclists in Nevada must adhere to the law by staying in designated lanes whenever possible, but the state does not mandate that cyclists use bike routes that run parallel to the roadway.

In Nevada, bike lanes are well-marked, but when sharing the road with vehicles, bikes should be treated similarly to cars. It's allowed for bicyclists to travel side by side, but it's recommended for them to cycle in one file when there's traffic.

However, because bicycles share the same legal rights as motorists, they are also required to abide by traffic laws. Nevada follows the Idaho stop statute. This implies that bike riders can pass through red lights if the light didn't catch them and went out because of that.

Aside from that, they should use turn signals, change lanes at the appropriate times, and follow all traffic signs if they want to cycle on highways, but only if they also follow the signs telling them to exit. Except in restricted places, for example, in most municipal regions, cyclists are allowed to use Nevada's freeways.

Because cyclists are subject to the same penalties and fines as motorists for breaking the law, they are treated equally in every way. Cyclists who break the law will receive citations, and they'll also be subject to the same penalties. Compared to most states, Nevada is slightly more distinctive in this regard.

Riding Safely

Nevada has clear regulations on how to properly light a bicycle for nighttime riding. This has been done to improve visibility concerns. Cyclists are required to carry the following items on their bikes at all times, but especially at night and during other times when it is difficult to see automobiles more than 1,000 feet ahead of them and to ride safely and legally.

  • A white light-emitting front headlamp that is visible from not less than 500 feet away.
  • Reflective materials attached to the bicycle sides that are visible from a distance of at least 600 feet, or a lamp visible from either side and can be seen from a distance of at least 500 feet.
  • A red light on the back can be seen from 50 to 300 feet away.

Although it is not against the law to cycle without a helmet, doing so is highly discouraged due to the inherent dangers of motorcycling and the fact that a helmet will provide the greatest level of protection in the event of an accident.

All bicycles must be equipped with brakes that can cause the bicycle wheels to skid on level, dry pavement.

The most crucial thing to remember when riding is to always keep an eye out for other vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians. Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid getting hurt, as the majority of accidents occur when people aren't paying attention to what's going on around them.

Although cycling while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not illegal in Nevada, it is strongly discouraged because it increases the risk that they are involved in an accident that causes significant injuries.

Nevada Electric Bikes

Electric bikes are two or even three-wheeled bikes that have an automated transmission as well as a motor with a power output of below 750W. Nevada permits electric bikes to travel at a top speed of 20 miles per hour on level terrain. Helmets are necessary but registration and licensing are not.

Electric bikes should be operated in the furthest right and compliance with all traffic laws and regulations, exactly like ordinary bikes. Electric bikes are only permitted on roads in which the maximum speed limit is less than their maximum speed. Nevada's laws regarding electric bikes are largely the same as those governing bicycles, except for a speed limit.

Nevada Bicycle Accident Laws

Every person using a vehicle or a bicycle on public roads has a responsibility to drive responsibly and safely. Both drivers of motor vehicles and riders of bicycles have a responsibility to be aware of and cautious around one another when sharing the road.

In the case of an accident involving a car and a bicyclist, the fault could lie with either party. Sometimes, both parties could be to blame for the incident. Liability in a motorcycle-bicycle accident is determined by the negligent party.

To determine who is at fault in a bicycle collision, one must first analyze how the collision happened. Each driver's actions need to be scrutinized. If a motorist or cyclist acts negligently and causes an accident, they could be held legally responsible for the damages suffered.

A motorist could be held responsible for damages sustained by a bicyclist. A cyclist could also be held accountable by the motorist. It all depends on whose actions led to the accident. Road users, including bicyclists, are subject to the same laws and duties.

They have the right to file a claim for damages when they are injured as a result of another road user's negligent actions. In the same way, they could be held responsible if they act carelessly and cause an accident.

Bicyclists' Legal Protections During Accidents

If you've been involved in an accident with a bigger vehicle, the legal process will be straightforward. Keep in mind that as a bicyclist, you are required to comply with the majority of the regular traffic laws; nonetheless, this also implies that you are covered similarly to every other driver.

In most cases, you can get compensation by filing a case with the at-fault driver's insurance provider, just like you would after a car crash. If the claim is approved, you'll be entitled to get compensation for your comprehensive losses, which can be broken down into two broad classes.

Special damages. These include losses that have a monetary value, for example, missed wages, medical expenses (for example for delayed and lasting-onset injuries), repairs or replacement costs, and other related compensation.

General damages are intangible losses that do not have clear, quantifiable financial implications, like pain and suffering, psychological trauma, lost companionship, deformity, and other personal losses.

Common Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents make up a relatively small fraction of Nevada's traffic collisions, yet they can have a catastrophic effect on the cyclist. Since it is typically a bicyclist versus a motorist, the bicyclist frequently sustains the most severe injuries and damages.

Common accidents include:

When a Bicycle Collides with Vehicle

Most bike accidents include a car or another automobile, making this the most prevalent type of bicycle accident. Accidents like these are caused by several factors, such as reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, or drivers who fail to notice bicycles in their blind spots. These collisions are among the most severe since they can result in serious injuries or death.

Bike Rider Strikes an Object

This occurs when a bicyclist hits something or a spot on a bad road, causing them to lose their footing and either go over the bars or go off their bike altogether. Bicyclists often encounter hazards such as potholes, irregular terrains, or debris thrown by passing cars. Accidents like these can result in significant injuries, such as fractured bones and injuries to the back and neck. Most accidents could be avoided if the localities concerned would repair their cracked and damaged pavements and potholes.

When Two Bikers Collide

Large numbers of bicyclists traveling in packs are a common sight, and it's not uncommon for them to collide with one another and cause an accident. These collisions could also result in significant injuries based on the size and speed of the bikes involved, or another biker could have been negligent by failing to pay attention or follow traffic laws.

How Common are Bicycle Accidents?

Cyclist-vehicle collisions are among the most dangerous kinds of road accidents because of the high risk of serious injury or death. Sadly for bikers, when a bicycle and a vehicle collide, the rider typically sustains the most significant injuries.

Bicycles make up only a tiny fraction of all U.S. vehicle traffic, but unfortunately, accidents involving cars and bicycles are far too prevalent. The roads are dangerous for cyclists since many motorists are either not paying attention or are oblivious to their presence.

Bicycles and automobiles are obligated to share the roadway. However, the truth is that a lot of motorists are either ignorant of or aggressive toward the existence of bicycles on the roads.

Riding While Intoxicated in Nevada

In Nevada, biking while intoxicated or high isn't exactly a DUI violation. In Nevada, DUI rules apply to those who operate a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped while under the influence; however, DUI statutes do not apply to those who use a bicycle.

If you ride a bicycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could be charged with reckless endangerment as per Nevada Revised Statutes 202.595. These offenses are usually charged as gross misdemeanors and are punishable by

  • $2,000 in fines.
  • Possible jail sentence of 364 days.

However, reckless endangerment will become a class C felony when the victim of the accident suffers a serious bodily injury (NRS 0.060). The sentence includes

  • A sentence of one to five years in State Prison, and
  • A possible fine of $10,000 (depending on the court's discretion).

Cyclists charged with Cycling Under the Influence do not face the same penalties as drivers found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

FAQs on Nevada Bicycle Laws

Below are some FAQs regarding bicycle laws in Nevada:

Does Nevada Law Require Bicyclists to Wear Helmets?

No, a helmet is not required while riding a bicycle in Nevada. Although Nevada has cycling regulations, none of them mandate helmet use. However, the State's Department of Transportation highly recommends that riders always wear helmets.

Does Nevada Law Allow Bicyclists to Ride on Any Road?

No, cyclists are not permitted to use any roadway they choose. When the Nevada Department of Transportation believes that a route is not secure for cycling, they could place restrictions on who can access the road. Also, cities and towns can stop bikes from using sidewalks in locations where pedestrians walk.

Are Hand Signals Necessary When Riding?

Yes. In Nevada, cyclists must give hand signals when turning except if the bicycle is in a marked turn lane or it is unsafe to remove one's hand from the handlebars. The following are the hand signals and what they mean:

  • Horizontally extending arm and wrist during a left turn.
  • When turning right, the hand and arm should be extended upwards.
  • The gesture of an arm and hand extended downwards indicates a stop or a speed reduction.
  • Extending arm and hand horizontally when one reenters a traffic lane from a parking position.

Find a Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

When riding your bicycle in Nevada, it's critical to ensure that you're both compliant with the law and are safe on the road. However, if you've been involved in a bicycle accident and are unsure of your legal rights, you can get in touch with the Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm. Our attorneys can assist you in seeking compensation under the Nevada Bicycle Laws. Call us today at 702-996-1224.