Learning how to ride a bike is a rite of passage for kids. It is a bonding experience between the child and the parent that teaches them valuable lessons. Once they’ve mastered the power of the pedals, bikes provide endless hours of fun for the kids. As we grow up, we need to upgrade our bikes.
Adults who ride bikes do it for exercise and recreation. They can also be used to commute to and from work or college. Even if you have years of experience riding a bike, you are still vulnerable to all the other vehicles you’re sharing the road with. An accident between a car and a bike rider doesn’t end well for the bike rider.
If you were involved in a collision with a car while on your bike, you are entitled to pursue a remedy.
You shouldn’t be expected to pay for medical repairs or replace your bike if the accident wasn’t your fault. In that scenario, you need support from Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC.
We are experienced Gulfport bicycle accident lawyers who can provide you with guidance about the next steps to take in pursuit of a remedy. If we agree to take on a bicycle accident case, we will conduct a thorough investigation. That begins with all the applicable Mississippi bicycle laws. If you were following the law, you’d be in a better position to make a claim.
Here’s what you need to know about Mississippi bicycle laws:
Right to the Road
Do you remember taking your driver’s test? You probably studied the driver’s license manual to help you pass the written test before the driver’s test. If you’re now regularly riding a bike, you should take a moment to review the driver’s license manual again.
That’s because, in Mississippi, bicycles are defined as vehicles. That means that a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
Where Are Bikes Allowed to Ride?
When riding your bike, you are generally required to ride as far to the right of the road as possible, which is both safe and practical. That applies to when you’re riding at a speed less than the speed of traffic. When you consider that traffic flows at 35 to 55 miles per hour, you’ll probably be riding to the right most of the time.
You are allowed to ride in the full lane under the following conditions if you are:
- Traveling at the normal speed of traffic
- Preparing for a turn
- Overtaking and passing a vehicle
- Avoiding hazards on the road
- Biking in a lane that is too narrow to share with a vehicle
- Avoiding a mandatory turn lane
You should always opt to ride on bike paths that are adjacent to roads, but you’re not required to ride on those paths.
As for sidewalks, there is no state law that prohibits bike riders on sidewalks. It is up to each city to determine those laws. In Gulfport, bikes are prohibited from riding on sidewalks in business districts.
There are also various sidewalks and roadways where signs can be posted that prohibit bikes. It’s the responsibility of cyclists to take note of those special postings.
Specific Mississippi Bicycle Laws
The Mississippi legislature has addressed the needs of bicyclists by creating a series of laws designed to keep cyclists and car drivers safe. For instance, in 2010, the legislature enacted the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act, which requires bicyclists to maintain a distance of at least three feet between themselves and a car when passing.
Another law requires lamps on bicycles that are visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet. Bikes are also not permitted on any interstate highway.
When You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you follow the laws as a bike rider and end up in a collision with a car, that car’s driver could be liable for your damages. Ensuring they compensate for those damages is something that the attorneys at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC can assist with. We can provide support, starting with filing the initial insurance claim all the way through to a civil lawsuit, if needed.
If we agree to work with you on your bicycle accident claim, we’ll offer guidance and information about the best way forward. Let’s talk about what happened with your bicycle accident.
