Same road, same rules
By Bobbi Mlynar , Brandy Nance
Originally published 02:32 p.m., June 19, 2008
Updated 02:32 p.m., June 19, 2008
With gas prices soaring to record levels, more people are hitting the streets with more efficient vehicles such as bicycles, but riders have to adhere to the same laws as people driving motor vehicles.
Jeff Eubank, who is on the Emporia Police Department’s bike patrol, said the traffic laws are the same for bicyclists as far as stop signs, traffic control lights, and going with the flow of the traffic — not against. Just as blinkers are required for turning cars, hand signals are required to indicate when a bicyclist intends to turn.
Riding on the sidewalks is another issue Eubank addressed. He said riding on sidewalks in residential areas is allowed but not in business districts such as downtown Emporia. This is to protect shoppers who are coming out of the stores from getting hit by a bicyclist who may not be paying attention. When riding on a sidewalk, the bicyclist has to yield to any oncoming pedestrians.
Bicycle officers are trained in riding in crowds and are allowed to ride on sidewalks by state law.
“We normally don’t during the daytime but will at night,” Eubank said. At night officers are checking doors and it’s safer for them to be on sidewalks.
Eubank said riders should ride in the first third of the lane, not in the extreme gutter, and they must ride with the flow of traffic.
“You walk against the flow of traffic, but you don’t do it with bicycles, it’s just not a good thing,” Eubank said. “The big thing is just ride like you’re driving a vehicle.”
Helmets, while not required by law, are highly recommended.
“Most accidents are not from wrecks, but people falling over,” Eubank said.
Helmets are available free of charge from the police department through a grant. They will be available later this year. Helmets also are available through Newman Regional Health at a discounted price.
“Helmets have really come a long way with style and looks,” Eubank said.
Riding double is not allowed unless the bicycle is built for two, Eubank said. And headlights at night — yes, they are required. Taillights are not required but are recommended. For nighttime riding, Eubank recommends a reflective vest and as much reflective equipment as possible on the bicycle and the rider. A taillight is a good way to draw attention to the bicycle, he added.
“Be very mindful (of traffic),” Eubank said.
Making sure the bicycle is in good working condition is important as well. Make sure there is enough air in the tires and that the brakes are working. Regular checks of brakes should be done, especially with children.
“We see a lot of kids who don’t have brakes,” Eubank said.
Riding through puddles is discouraged as well.
“You don’t know what is under it,” Eubank said.
Eubank said with kids, bike safety starts at home.
“The best teachers are really the parents,” he said. “If the parents ride legally they are going to teach their kids just by family rides and such.”
... And the same goes for scooters
Warm weather and high gas prices seem to be responsible for an increase in the number of mopeds and scooters traveling on city streets and highways, law enforcement officers say. Along with the mopeds and scooters have come questions about laws governing their operation.
The Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles, which licenses highway vehicles, says that for registration purposes, all two- or three-wheeled vehicles fall into one of three categories: Non-highway, motorized bike, or motorcycle.
“It’s a little confusing,” said Emporia Police Officer Jim Pritchard of the variety of types of motorized bikes and scooters.
“Brake horsepower,” engine size, and speed and other factors are mentioned in state statute to determine whether they can be driven on streets and highways or can be used off-road only.
“The easy way to tell for that is, if a scooter can be registered and tagged, it can be operated on a city street as a vehicle,” Pritchard said.
Drivers of street-legal motorized bicycles and mopeds must be licensed to drive; 15-year-olds with restricted driver’s licenses also may drive them, and moped-only licenses also are available.
“Of course, the traffic laws apply,” he said, and the laws are the same for mopeds and scooters as they are for cars and trucks.
People under 18 years of age must wear helmets when driving or riding as a passenger on street-legal mopeds and scooters, Pritchard said.
“It’s certainly a good idea for all bicycle riders, moped riders, to operate with safety equipment,” he said.
All-terrain vehicles, golf carts and other similar vehicles are not legal to operate on city streets, Pritchard said.
“None of those things are tagged,” he said.
People who are considering purchasing scooters or mopeds as alternative vehicles may want to first make certain they are legal for city streets. Information is available from the motor vehicle department at the Lyon County Courthouse or from Emporia police officers.
“We’d be more than happy to research that ... in order to avoid somebody being disappointed with their new purchase,” Pritchard said.