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Current Arizona Revised Statutes are online at the Arizona Legislature’s website.

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Bicycle traffic laws

A Police Officer can stop cyclist and issue a TRAFFIC TICKET!

Bicycles are subject to the same laws governing the movement of motor vehicles. Bicycles are a great choice for commuting on campus, but they must share the road with both motorists and pedestrians. Traffic laws exist to ensure uniform behavior among all roadway users, which in turn prevents collisions. When cycling on campus, follow this simple rule: if you wouldn’t do it in a car, don’t do it on a bike! In particular, the law requires you to:

  • Stop for stop signs and yield at intersections
  • Ride with (not against) traffic
  • Keep as far right as possible unless avoiding hazards
  • Use proper lane positioning and signals when turning

Below are several other traffic violations related to bicycles:

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28 (Arizona’s Traffic Laws)

28-812. Applicability of traffic laws to bicycle riders

A person riding a bicycle on a roadway or on a shoulder adjoining a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapters 4 and 5 of this title, except special rules in this article and except provisions of this chapter and chapters 4 and 5 of this title that by their nature can have no application.

28-813. Riding on bicycles

  1. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.
  2. A person shall not use a bicycle to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

28-815. Riding on roadway and bicycle path; bicycle path usage

A.  A person riding a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the condition then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following conditions:
        1.  If overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
        2.  If preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
        3.  If reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals or surface hazards.
        4.  If the lane in which the person is operating the bicycle is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
B.  Persons riding bicycles on a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on pats or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
C.  A path or lane that is designated as a bicycle path or lane by state or local authorities is for the exclusive use of bicycles even though other uses are permitted pursuant to subsection D or are otherwise permitted by state or local authorities.
D.  A person shall not operate, stop, park, or leave standing a vehicle in a path or lane designated as a bicycle path or lane by a state or local authority except in the case of emergency or for crossing the path or lane to gain access to a public or private road or driveway.

E.  Subsection D does not prohibit the use of the path or lane by the appropriate local authority.

28-814. Clinging to vehicle

A person riding on a bicycle, coaster, sled or toy vehicle or on roller skates shall not attach the bicycle, coaster, sled, toy vehicle or roller skates or that person to a vehicle on a roadway.

28-816. Carrying article on bicycle

A person shall not carry a package, bundle or article while operating a bicycle if the package, bundle or article prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.

28-817. Bicycle equipment

A.  A bicycle that is used at nighttime shall have a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and a red reflector on the rear of a type that is approved by the department and that is visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when the reflector is directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A bicycle may have a lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear in addition to the red reflector.

B.  A person shall not operate a bicycle that is equipped with a siren or whistle.

C.  A bicycle shall be equipped with a brake that enables the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

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Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
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