Cycling allowed on most state roads in Nevada despite high speeds
Despite the high speed limit set on many state roads, cycling is allowed on the majority of them under Nevada law.
This includes the stretch of U.S. Highway 95 near Searchlight where Thursday’s crash occurred that killed five cyclists, which has speed limits up to 75 mph, according to Tony Illia, Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman.
“(State) law calls for providing three feet of space for cyclists and/or moving over one lane on multi-lane roads,” Illia said in an email.
In fact there are only a handful of state roads in Nevada that bicycles are not allowed on.
The restricted roads in Southern Nevada are:
— Interstate 15 between Jean to the south and Lamb Boulevard to the north.
— U.S. 95 between Wagonwheel Drive in Henderson and Kyle Canyon Road in the northwest.
— 215 Beltway on its entire route.
Before the multiple fatal crash Thursday, cyclist deaths in Clark County were down 50 percent year-over-year through November with three fatal incidents, state data showed. That is despite fatal crashes overall in the county being up 7 percent through the first 11 months of 2020.
Ride with the flow
Cyclists are allowed to travel on roadways with motor vehicles, but should utilize bike lanes or shoulders whenever possible. Those riding bikes with traffic are required to travel with the flow of traffic, not against it.
Although not engineered for bicycle travel, road shoulders that are four feet or more in width can provide added safety for bicyclists while allowing for vehicle traffic flow, NDOT’s Cycling Factbook states. When a bicyclist must share a mixed travel lane with vehicles, the bicyclist needs to ride as far to the right as is practicable within the travel lanes, unless making a turn or going at a comparable rate of speed.
All roadway users should use every opportunity to share the road with others, the factbook reads.
“Whether it’s a state road or a regular ol’ road, the law is very clear that obligation is on the motorist to give wide berth to the cyclist,” said avid cyclist and Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones.
If five or more vehicles are lined up behind a cyclist, he or she is required to move to the side of the road when it’s safe to allow those vehicles to pass.
Cyclists are not required to wear a helmet while riding although state officials highly recommend the use of them to potentially prevent serious or fatal injury in the event of a crash.
Motor vehicles are not allowed to travel in bike lanes except under special circumstances, including avoiding a conflict with traffic, an emergency, under the order of a law enforcement officer and entering an alley or driveway, according state law.
State law also requires cyclists to have a white headlight, a red rear reflector and reflectors on each side of a bike for night time riding. Having a rear tail light does not exclude a rider from also having a rear red reflector.
State law does not prohibit cyclists from riding on sidewalks, but riders are encouraged to check with the local jurisdiction’s regulations.
Close calls
Jones often rides on state Routes 159 and 160, popular rides for area enthusiasts that includes Red Rock Canyon, where he’s had near-misses with vehicles.
“I have had my close calls but I’ve been fortunate not to have been in a serious incident,” Jones said.
Thursday’s fatal crash, he said, “gives me pause on whether I’ll be back there on my bike right now, because it’s just too close to home.”
Jones believes many in the cycling community could be having second thoughts about road riding.
“One of my good friends is bike lead for LifeTime (Fitness) and he told me this morning he’s maybe selling his road bike and sticking to mountains,” Jones said. “He’s just too concerned. He had been hit by a motorist a year or so ago. I do think it’s going to have an effect. It will give a lot of us a pause before we’re confident on getting out there on the road again.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.
