Traveling by bicycle is not just convenient. Cycling helps improve your physical health by improving balance, stamina, coordination, and strength. This choice of travel is both eco-friendly and economical. As an ancillary benefit, bicycling helps reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions by lowering the number of cars on the road. That being said, an increase in cyclists means that there is a likelihood of an increase in bicycle-related accidents and resulting injuries.
Nevada is no stranger to these accidents, as the state has one of the nation’s highest pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates. There are several reasons for bicycle accidents resulting in more serious injuries (and even death) than accidents involving vehicles. First, bicycles are quieter, smaller, and without protection—making cyclists more at risk of being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, particularly when sharing the road with others. When a cyclist is involved in a Nevada accident with another vehicle, the victim often requires months to years of medical treatment and physical rehabilitation to recover, presuming they do not succumb to their injuries.
Nevada Bicycle Laws
It is important that everyone on the road understands that bicyclists have the same rights and obligations under Nevada law as others driving motor vehicles. Below are some of the rules that bicyclists (and motorists) must follow when sharing the road:
- Nevada motorists that are passing cyclists must move into the left adjacent lane or, if unable, the car must pass with a minimum of three feet between the car and the bicyclist;
- Nevada drivers can be charged with reckless driving and have their driver’s license suspended if at fault for any crash with a pedestrian or bicyclist;
- Cyclists must obey the same rules as other vehicles on the road when cycling with others in traffic and can be cited for violations; simply put, safety and interactions are the responsibility of both bicyclists and motorists;
- Although state law does not prohibit cyclists from riding on sidewalks, there are several local municipalities and counties that do prohibit this (including Las Vegas);
- Drivers cannot purposefully interfere with the movement of someone who is lawfully cycling and vice versa;
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way to cyclists just like pedestrians and other cars and must also yield the right-of-way when the cyclists are in the bicycle lane;
Other rules that cyclists, in particular, must follow include:
- Riding on the right side of the road;
- Obeying all traffic signals and signs, as well as using hand signals to advise others what the cyclist plans to do;
- Wearing a helmet and brightly colored clothing while cycling;
- Keeping their bicycle in good repair at all times;
- At nighttime, wearing a white lamp in the front of the bike that is visible from at least 500 feet, a red tail reflector visible by a car’s low beams from 300 feet away, and have reflective material on the sides of the bicycle that can be seen by a car’s low beams from at least 600 feet away.
Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorneys
A Nevada bicycle accident can cause serious injuries to a victim resulting in physical, emotional, and financial trauma. If you were hurt in a Nevada bicycle accident, our attorneys at H&P Law can help you seek the monetary compensation you deserve. Discuss your case with our attorneys by calling (702) 598-4529. We offer a free initial consultation.
