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State Bike Laws

Riding a bike is a healthy, fun and safe activity. However, it isn't without some risk. The following information highlights 13 areas of law that may minimize that risk and have the potential to reduce conflicts between bikes and cars (and other traffic). These highlights only cover statewide laws and are not comprehensive.

If you want to learn more about state bicycling policies and efforts, check out our Bicycle Friendly State program.

Check out our Smart Cycling videos if you are interested in bicycling education videos.

All laws mentioned here were compiled as part of a research project in the fall of 2012 and may be subject to change. We update laws as we work with our member advocacy organizations to pass better laws and as advocates or the public tell us about changes. Please help us keep them updated by contacting [email protected] with any updates.

Select your state from the list below to review that state's bike laws.

Alaska

Safe Passing Laws

Alaska does not have a law that sets a specific distance for a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle. The overtaking of a bicycle by a motor vehicle, or vice versa, is governed by general traffic laws and, in most circumstances, such overtaking must be done to the left at a safe distance.
Source: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.065

Helmet Law

Alaska has no helmet law. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation.
Source: N/A

Share the Road license plates

Alaska does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time.
Source: N/A

Vulnerable Road User Laws

Alaska does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. There are currently no national standards for laws protecting vulnerable road users, but the League of American Bicyclists has drafted a Model Vulnerable Road User statute, which you can find here.
Source: N/A

Distracted Driving Laws

Alaska prohibits the driving of a motor vehicle with an operating video display displaying non-authorized information that is in full view of a driver in a normal driving position while the motor vehicle is being driven. This law has been amended to clarify its application to text messaging while driving and a bill has been passed explicitly prohibiting reading or typing a text message or other non-voice message or communication while driving. The amended language has not yet been codified and made available through Alaska’s state statute directory, although the amended language is nevertheless effective.
Source: Alaska Stat. §28.35.161; HB 255 (2012)

Where to Ride

Alaska requires that bicyclists ride as far to the right as practicable. Alaska does not provide for any exceptions to that requirement.
Source: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.400

Sidewalk Riding

Alaska generally allows bicycles on sidewalks, but no person may ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district or where prohibited by an official traffic-control device.
Source: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.400(g)

Mandatory Use of Separated Facilities

Alaska requires that when a shoulder of the highway is maintained in good condition, an operator of a bicycle shall use the shoulder of the roadway.
Source: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.400

Bicycling Under the Influence

In Alaska, bicycles are defined as vehicles. Alaska’s law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to only “motor vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft” and therefore does not apply to bicyclists. Nevertheless, bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated. Source: Alaska Stat. §28.35.030

Right of Way Rules/Idaho Stop

Alaska does not explicitly provide any modifications to the requirement to come to a complete stop when directed to stop by traffic control devices and does not authorize bicyclists to disobey traffic lights that fail to detect bicyclists. However two statutes, when taken together provide for the following:

A driver of a non-motorized vehicle traveling upon a vehicular way or area shall, regardless of whether an official traffic-control device is present, slow to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety, stop. After slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any traffic using a roadway or approaching on another roadway that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Source: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.482; Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.130

Authorization for Local Regulation of bicycles

Alaska does not specifically provide for local authorities to regulate the operation of bicycles or require registration of bicycles, although such authorities may regulate the operation of bicycles through the exercise of their other legal powers.
Source: N/A

Dooring laws

Alaska requires that no person open the door of a motor vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. In addition, no person may leave a door of a vehicle open on the side of a parked vehicle so as to obstruct the movement of vehicular traffic.

Source: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.495(d)

Treatment as a Vehicle

In Alaska bicycles are vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles and a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle as provided in Chapter 13-02.

Source:Alaska Stat. §§28.90.990(16); 28.90.990(28); Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13 §02.385.

Other Resources

The following resources may be useful: