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Walk. Bike. Safe.

Walk. Bike. Safe.

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Rules of the Road

Busy city traffic

 

Motorist
Laws
Pedestrian
Laws
Bicycle
Laws
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Motorists

Driver watching bike in crosswalk

 

Motorist Laws

  • Stop and yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks, including those that may be unmarked at intersections.
  • Stopping and yielding to pedestrians means:
    • Pedestrians in and approaching a crosswalk on your half of the roadway.
    • Pedestrians entering the crosswalk on the other half of roadway approaching your vehicle.

      It is now a criminal offense for a driver that causes bodily injury to a pedestrian (or other vulnerable road user) that is legally using a crosswalk.

  • Vulnerable road users include ALL of the following:
    • Pedestrians,
    • Bicyclists,
    • People using electric personal assistive mobility devices,
    • People using motor-assisted scooters,
    • People using golf carts, and
    • People using neighborhood electric vehicles (defined here).

For more information please visit the Texas Transportation Code for Pedestrians.

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Pedestrians

Runner next to roadway

 

Pedestrian Laws

  • Use crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals when available.
  • If a pedestrian signal is not available, cross the street when the light is green in your direction of travel.
  • It is illegal to cross in the middle of a block (without a crosswalk) between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation.
  • Use sidewalks if available. It is illegal to walk in the road if an adjacent sidewalk is available and useable to the pedestrian.
  • If a sidewalk is not available, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic, as far away from traffic as possible.
  • You may only cross an intersection diagonally if there is a traffic control device authorizing this movement.
  • A pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the highway if crossing a roadway at a place:
    • Other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
    • Where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.
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Bicycles

bicyclist on city street

 

Bicycle Laws

  • Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.
  • Ride as far to the right as practicable based on road conditions.
  • Ride on the roadway, using bike lanes or separated bike facilities when available.
  • Travel with traffic, not against it.
  • Stop at all red lights and stop signs.
  • Use hand signals when turning and changing lanes.
  • You can ride next to another bicycle, as long as you do not block traffic.
  • When riding at night, your bike must have:
    • A front headlamp (white light) that can be seen from 500 feet away.
    • A rear red reflector (visible from 300 ft) or red lamp (visible from 500 ft).

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Walk. Bike. Safe.
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Texas Department of Transportation