What Rights Do Cyclists Have?

Bicycles Cyclists The tragic deaths of two Baldwin County cyclists have focused a lot of attention on cycling safety.

by Kimberly Curth

Published: Wed, September 05, 2007 - 4:11 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, September 05, 2007 - 5:20 pm CST

The tragic deaths of two Baldwin County cyclists have focused a lot of attention on cycling safety. Is it safe for bicycles to travel on public roadways? And, do cyclists have rights? Knowing the rules of the road may help. With our camera in tow, we met up with Alabama State Trooper Joe Piggott and avid cyclist Mary Trufant with one goal in mind: to find out exactly what rights cyclists have on the road. For safety reasons, we decided to avoid busy traffic and meet in a quiet Spring Hill neighborhood, we asked Trufant to demonstrate the rules of the road for cyclists. She says she abides by the same rules as drivers. Corporal Joe Piggott says Alabama law states, cyclists must ride with the flow of traffic, stay on the right side of the road unless there is a bike path, and obey the same laws as drivers. He also says cyclists can ride side by side but no more than two at a time. Piggott also says drivers can pass cyclists, but you need to pass them the same way you would a car. Both Piggott and Trufant agree common courtesy will go a long way to keep cyclists safe, "when you see a bicyclist on the road or anybody for that matter, pedestrian, bicyclist, slow down, move over if you can, and give them the space that they're allowed by law," said Piggott. "Helping each other out, being respectful, being courteous to one another, that sounds so simple, but it really boils down to that, unless we learn the rules of the road and then follow the rules of the road then it won't change," said Trufant.

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cyclist1972 Says:

Sat, Sep 08, 2007 at 8:52 am

I would much rather have a cyclist in front or behind or in the opposite lane from me than a druken teenager in a 2000 lb. bullet crossing over the line. My prayers are with the families that lost their loved ones.

wlb Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 4:39 pm

ok your you have the biggest idiocy…no more

Cyclist Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 4:25 pm

wlb,
What, your little physics lesson? Oh come on. Car versus semi or perhaps car versus motorcycle. Same result.

wlb Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 4:14 pm

you miss the point…sorry for you

Cyclist Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 4:10 pm

wlb,
News flash, these two men were not blocking the road!

wlb Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 4:06 pm

i spent 37 years as a mobile fire fighter..you think i dont care about lives…give me a break ,,add it up car, bicycles..i dont need to read to know what is right and what is safe

Cyclist Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 4:03 pm

wlb, You wait till it’s clear to pass.

wlb Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 3:58 pm

i hate the two men got killed ...and i think they was doing right…but how long and how meany will it take to stop buting lives on the line just because you have the right to block the road.beleave me im sorry about the two men i know one of them.his wife is a teacher at stapleton school…maybe you should ride down the road and then tell me you did not take your life in your hands

wlb Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 3:49 pm

hwy. 31 from stapleton to hwy 181 is no passing…7 mi.you try going 2 mph

Cyclist Says:

Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 3:36 pm

Hey wlb,
It’s very simple, the Alabama Vehicle Code acknowledges bicycles as legitimate road users and not ATVs. Why don’t you read it sometimes.

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