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Bicycles are legally considered vehicles on Texas roadways. If you violate traffic laws while riding a bike in Texas, you risk facing the same penalties as motor vehicle drivers. Keep on reading to learn more about Texas bike laws and your rights and responsibilities when sharing the road. 

Texas Bike Laws

In Texas, bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles. Bike laws are specified in the Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101. 

Bike size

Bicyclists in Texas must operate bikes that are of appropriate size. You have to be able to place one foot flat on the ground when your bicycle is in an upright position. Under Texas law, it is illegal to ride a bicycle that doesn’t fit you and that you can’t control properly. 

Riding on public roadways

You are only allowed to ride your bicycle on streets, roadways, bike paths, routes, and other areas that are specifically designated for bicycles. In addition, you are required to follow the same direction as motor vehicles. 

If you are going slower than the speed of traffic, you must ride as close to the curb as possible. You are allowed to use a full lane only if you are traveling at the speed of traffic. 

You can also use a whole lane in the following circumstances: 

• Preparing for a turn
• Overtaking and passing
• Avoiding hazards
• Traveling in a lane too narrow to share with motor vehicles
• Avoiding a mandatory turn lane.

Riding single file

Bicyclists on Texas roadways must ride single file. Riding side by side with another bicycle is only possible if you are not impeding the normal flow of traffic or when you are riding on a designated bikeway. You can ride more than two abreast if you are on a bike-only road or trail.

Use of bicycle paths

In Texas, the use of bicycle paths is recommended but it’s not mandatory. Bicycles are entitled to the same rights of the road as motor vehicles, including access to roadways. 

Riding on sidewalks

Texas law doesn’t forbid riding a bicycle on sidewalks, although some local governments may prohibit sidewalk riding. 

If you are unable to ride with the flow of traffic, you are legally allowed to walk your bike on the sidewalk. You may also stop, stand, or park your bicycle on a sidewalk as long as this doesn’t obstruct the movement of pedestrians or other traffic.

How to ride

Bicyclists are required to respect Texas Motor Vehicle Laws at all times when riding on public roadways. This means that you have to follow all traffic rules including: 

• Obey traffic signs and signals
• Slow down and stop at stop signs and traffic devices signaling red
• Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Display proper illumination
• Ride with the traffic flow on designated “one way” streets in bicycle lanes.

When turning or coming to a stop, you must use the appropriate hand signals: 

• Stop—left hand extended with arm down
• Left turn—outstretched left hand with arm extended horizontally 
• Right turn—outstretched right hand with arm extended horizontally.

Crosswalks

In Texas, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. 

You must also pass cautiously and give audible notice of passing to pedestrians or bicyclists you are passing.

Alcohol

Texas’s DUI laws don’t apply to bicyclists. However, you should keep in mind that if you ride a bicycle while intoxicated, you may still be arrested and charged with infractions such as public intoxication.

Equipment

While riding a bicycle, it’s essential to use safety gear and equipment, and even more so when you are sharing a road with motor vehicles.

Texas law states that the bicycle must be equipped with a working brake or brakes that will enable you to stop on dry, level, and clean pavement. What’s more, you are only allowed to ride on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.

Helmet requirements

Around 60% of all bicycle riding fatalities result from head injuries. Wearing an approved bicycle helmet can reduce head injury risk by 85% and save your life. 

In Texas, bicyclists who are under the age of 18 are required to wear safety helmets the entire time they are riding the bicycle.

Wearing a helmet is not compulsory for adults, although some local municipalities require bicyclists above the age of 18 to wear helmets. 

Ear covering regulations

When riding a bicycle on a Texas roadway, you are not allowed to have both of your ears covered. This means that you can’t wear earplugs or headphones as they may prevent you from hearing the sounds around you and increase the chances of causing an accident.

Riding at night

Riding a bicycle at night can be dangerous due to low visibility. Under Texas law, you must meet the following conditions if you want to ride a bicycle at night: 

• You must have a head lamp attached to the front of your bicycle. The lamp has to emit a white light that is visible from at least 500 feet in front of the bike.
• When riding at night, your bike must be equipped with visibility features such as a red reflector or a red lamp on the rear of the bicycle. 
• If you are using a red reflector, it must be visible from 300 feet behind the bike. A red lamp must be visible from 500 feet or more behind the bike.

Attaching things to the bike

When riding a bicycle in Texas, you are not allowed to carry any object that would prevent you from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars. Besides, you must not attach anything to your bike or attach your bike to a streetcar or vehicle while you are on a roadway.

You are also not permitted to use a bicycle to carry more persons than your bicycle is designed or equipped for.

Bike racks

The Texas law forbids riding your bike into a bicycle rack. You have to dismount your bike before placing it in an available spot.