10 Things Drivers Should Know

When it comes to bike safety, the rules and regulations can be tricky. Here are some you might not be aware of. We paraphrased the laws to answer some useful questions.

1. What rights and responsibilities do cyclists have?

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists on the roadway. Cyclists fare best when they act as and are treated as drivers of vehicles and all roadway users are safer when this is practiced.

2. How much room should I leave when passing a cyclist?

Motorists must pass cyclists, in Albuquerque, with five feet of space. Motorists should slow down, check on their left, and pass only when it is safe and legal. Don't pass at intersections, blind hills and corners, or just before making a right.

3. Should cyclists always ride in the same direction as traffic?

In Albuquerque a cyclist must always ride with the flow of traffic. Even when the law allows a cyclist to ride on the sidewalk, the cyclist must ride on the right hand side of the street moving with the directional flow of the motor vehicle traffic.

4. How far from the curb can bicyclists ride in the city of Albuquerque?

By law, cyclists are never required to ride within less than three feet of any object or the curb on the right.

5. Which type of roads are bikes allowed on?

All roads in the City of Albuquerque except the interstates. Interstate travel outside of the city proper is allowed where an adjacent road to the interstate is not provided.

6. Can a cyclist ride on the sidewalk?

No, if there is a wide right lane, a bike lane or a bike trail adjacent to the direction of travel or in a business district. Otherwise it is permissible however, not encouraged and the cyclists must follow all laws applicable to pedestrians and must travel at pedestrian speed.

7. Can motorists drive in a bike lane?

Motorists may consume the bike lane when performing a right hand turn to prevent a right hand turn crash with a cyclist. Motorist should check twice to make sure a cyclist is NOT in the bike lane when consuming a bike lane. Cyclists are easy to miss.

8. Can a motorist park in a bike lane?

No.

9. Can a bicyclist ride outside a bike lane?

Bicyclists are permitted to leave a bike lane at certain times including intersections, to make u-turns or make a left hand turn; also, to pass slower cyclists or to avoid a parked car or other obstacle.

10. What is the ordinance about opening a car door into the roadway?

No person shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless it is safe to do so and no person shall leave a door open on a side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.