Bicycle Operation Approaching Intersection

Regulation of bicycles approaching intersections - adoption of local ordinance allowing bicyclists to proceed through stop signs and stop lights without stopping - ordinances adopted before the act remain valid. The act permits a municipality or county to regulate the operation of bicycles approaching intersections with stop signs or illuminated red traffic control signals. Under a local regulation, a bicyclist approaching a stop sign must slow to a reasonable speed and, when safe to do so, may proceed through the intersection without stopping. A bicyclist approaching an illuminated red traffic control signal must stop at the intersection and, when safe to do so, may proceed through the intersection. The act sets the reasonable speed limit at 15 miles per hour. However, a municipality or county may lower the reasonable speed to 10 miles per hour or raise the limit to 20 miles per hour at any individual intersection. If the local government sets a lower or higher reasonable speed limit, the local government must post signage indicating that speed limit at the intersection. If the municipality or county adopts an ordinance or resolution pursuant to the act, it must be consistent with the act. An ordinance adopted before May 3, 2018, that similarly regulates bicycles remains valid. The adoption of a local ordinance does not diminish or alter the authority of the department of transportation or state transportation commission to regulate motor vehicles on the state highway system.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)