During this past summer and fall there have been numerous
vehicle-bicycle accidents, some resulting in serious injury or death to the
cyclist. There are numerous Nevada Revised Statutes regarding bicycles on our
public roads. Given below is a summary.
After a brief definition of a bicycle (usually a "device
propelled by human power upon which a person may ride, having two tandem
wheels...") the statutes address bicycles on "controlled-access"
highways. For example, you cannot ride a bicycle on I-80 through Reno.
The next section covers "vehicles and bicycles". Drivers of
motor vehicles cannot "intentionally interfere with the movement of a
person lawfully riding a bicycle; or overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle
unless he can do so safely" without endangering the cyclist. Further, it
prohibits motor vehicles from stopping or driving on a bike lane or path (except
for emergency, making a turn, etc.). Finally, it is stipulated that cyclists
must not intentionally interfere with vehicle traffic and should not pass motor
vehicles unless it can be done safely.
The next section holds parents or guardians responsible for their
children if they authorize or permit their kids to violate any of these
statutes. Following that there is the statement that "traffic laws apply to
persons riding bicycles" (speeding, yielding to pedestrians, riding on the
right side of the road, signaling turns, stopping for red lights, and so on).
Specific bicycling problems are addressed in the next four parts:
(1) People on bicycles must ride "upon or astride a permanent
and regular seat" with no more on that bike than the number for which it
was designed;
(2) Cyclists cannot cling to another vehicle moving on the roadway;
(3) Cyclists should under most circumstances "ride as far to
the right side of the roadway as practicable" and never more than two
abreast; and
(4) "No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package,
bundle, or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand
upon the handlebars".
Most experts agree that the most dangerous time for cyclists on
public streets and highways is after dark. It is sometimes difficult to see a
bike in broad daylight, but after dark without bright illumination it can be
almost impossible. Nevada Revised Statutes require the following minimum: A
front headlight, "visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the
front"; a red reflector on the rear "visible from 50 feet to 300 feet
to the rear" (when in front of a car's low beam headlights);
"reflective material of a sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible
from both sides of the bicycle for 600 feet" (when in a car's low beams) or
"a lamp similarly visible from the sides" (minimum 500 feet). Finally,
the law states that bicycles must have functioning brakes ("enable the
operator to make the wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement").
