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Laws and Regulations

Bicycle laws in Arkansas are fairly cut in dry; in a nutshell bicyclists are treated like motor vehicle drivers with a few exceptions.

  • You must have a working and operating white light on the front of your bike.
  • You must have a working and operating red light or reflector on the rear of your bike.
  • If a car is passing a cyclist they have to provide a clearance of at least 3 feet in all direction. They also have to be well clear of the rider before turning right after passing.

For reference, the bicycle specific laws are listed below. They can also be found on the State of Arkansas Law Website. The Arkansas Driving Manual is also online.

27-49-111. Use of bicycles or animals.

Every person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway, shall have all the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this act which by their nature can have no applicability.

History. Acts 1937, No. 300, § 24; Pope's Dig., § 6682; Acts 1981, No. 699, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 75-424

27-36-220. Lamps on bicycles.

(a) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500¢) to the front and with a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500¢) to the rear.

(b) A red reflector meeting the requirements of § 27-36-215 may be used in lieu of a rear light.

History. Acts 1937, No. 300, § 110; Pope's Dig., § 6770; A.S.A. 1947, § 75-708.

27-51-311. Overtaking a bicycle.

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of not less than three feet (3') and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.

(b) (1) A person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(2) A person who violates this section with the violation resulting in a collision causing death or serious physical injury to the person operating the overtaken bicycle shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law.

History. Acts 2007, No. 681, § 1.