Are bicyclists required to follow the same road rules as other drivers in Kansas?
With more than 100 miles of maintained bicycle paths in Wichita — including bike lanes along roads— interactions between cyclists and drivers of motor-powered vehicles are commonplace.
Kansas law requires bicyclists to follow the same traffic laws as those driving cars, but the state’s department of transportation recommends those on bikes take additional safety precautions.
From 2017 to 2021, 21 people were killed in crashes involving cyclists, according to data from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, just as cars are required to, and they must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from a railroad crossing, according to state law.
Additionally, they should ride with normal traffic flow on the right side of the road, according to the KDOT. Bicyclists should “ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable,” except when passing another bicycle or vehicle traveling in the same direction, “preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway” or when necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, pedestrians, animals, parked or moving bicycles or other surface hazards.
Over the past 10 years, Wichita has been working to increase bike safety and accessibility with the help of community groups like Bike Walk Wichita. But, the pathways are still being updated, and bikers need to take special care, even in designated areas.
How to bike safely in Kansas
Here are more tips from the KDOT to bike as safely as possible:
Wear a helmet approved by an organization such as the American National Standards Institute, American Society for Testing and Materials or Snell Memorial Foundation.
Be especially careful when navigating intersections.
Listen for oncoming vehicles.
Brake especially carefully when cycling in wet weather or on slippery surfaces.
Be mindful of dogs and other animals.
Load your bicycle correctly.
Eat and drink enough.
It’s also important to ride defensively, KDOT advises, and remember a crash can cause significant injuries even if it is not your fault.
As part of defensive driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises bicyclists to assume drivers do not see you, always be on the lookout for potential hazards and avoid distractions, such as listening to music or texting while riding.
There are several steps you can take to mitigate crash risks before heading out on your bike, the NHTSA reports. Here’s what the federal organization recommends:
Make sure your bike is sized properly. A bicycle that’s too big for you will be more difficult to control.
Wear a bike helmet whenever riding, and wear bright clothing when riding during the day.
Ride one person per seat and keep your hands on the handlebars unless you’re signaling.
Carry all your items in a backpack or strapped to your bike.
Tie your shoelaces and tuck them in so they don’t get caught on your bike chain.
When planning your route, use car-free avenues if possible. If you have to ride on the road with cars, choose routes with lower speed limits and less traffic if you have the choice.
What bicyclist should know about the rules of the road
When approaching a red light or a stop sign, Kansas bicyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws as motorists.
The Kansas legislature passed a “dead red” law in 2011 allowing bicyclists and motorcyclists to proceed through red lights that fail to change after a “reasonable” period of time, and Wichita’s municipal code has been amended to include a similar provision.
The “Idaho stop” is another law allowing bicyclists an exception to typical traffic rules. Idaho passed a law in 1982 allowing bicyclists to yield at stop signs, rather than coming to a complete stop and proceeding “when safe,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Kansas law does not have a specific provision allowing the Idaho stop, so bicyclists should approach stop signs as vehicles are required to in the state.
State law also outlines requirements for those riding bicycles at night.
“Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the secretary of transportation which shall be visible from all distances from one hundred (100) feet to six hundred (600) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.”
Those who are riding with children in a carrier must ensure the children are protected from rear wheel spokes and secure them with a strap or seatbelt, according to KDOT.
It’s also important for bicyclists to remember to use hand signals to avoid surprising other motorists and causing a crash.
Those riding bikes are “strongly encouraged” to ride on paved shoulders that are at least 3 feet wide when possible, the state’s transportation department says.
Eagle reporter Sarah Moore contributed to this story.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 12:20 PM.
CORRECTION: This story was corrected Sept. 18 to reflect the distance from a railroad crossing bicyclists are required to stop and how bicyclists should position themselves in relationship to the curb. In addition, a reference to Wichita’s municipal code relating to the “dead red” law has been updated, along with the latest data on fatalities involving bicyclists.
