You may know that if you are riding a bicycle and are struck by someone negligently driving their car, you may recover for any damages you incur as a result of this collision. However, you may not be aware that, even if the motor vehicle driver was negligent, you may have your compensation reduced if you also were partially at fault for the cause of the accident by not abiding by the Missouri bicycle laws.
What Are the Bicycle Laws in Missouri?
Most states have laws that apply to riding bicycles, just as they do for driving automobiles. The rules are designed for your own bicycle safety and the safety of other drivers, as well as pedestrians and other bicyclists. If you do not obey these laws while riding your bicycle, you may be subject to penalties or reduced compensation for damages, even if another party caused your injuries. Likewise, if a driver violates any of the bike laws, they may suffer penalties under the applicable statute.
Here are some of the common bicycle laws in Missouri that you must obey at all times and that may be relevant to your ability to recover for injuries sustained in an accident caused by another person:
307.180. Bicycle and motorized bicycle, defined
This provision defines the type of bicycles that are subject to the Missouri bicycle laws. These include:
- Bicycles: defined as “every vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, or two parallel wheels and one or two forward or rear wheels, all of which are more than fourteen inches in diameter, except scooters and similar devices”
- Motorized bicycle: defined as “any two- or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty cubic centimeters, which produces less than three gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty miles per hour on level ground”
300.330. Vehicle shall not be driven on a sidewalk--prohibition on obstruction of bicycle lanes--drivers to yield to bicycles in designated bicycle lanes
This provision prohibits:
- Driving a motor vehicle within any sidewalk area unless it is a permanent or temporary driveway
- Improperly driving a motor vehicle in a designated bicycle lane, which is part of a road or highway that is designated with pavement signs or striping, as reserved exclusively for riding bicycles
This includes driving in a designated bicycle lane for any reason other than making a lawful maneuver to cross the lane or to provide safe travel and, when doing so, not yielding to any bicycle in the lane
- Obstructing a bicycle lane with a parked or standing motor vehicle or other stationary object
300.347. Riding bicycle on sidewalks, limitations--motorized bicycles prohibited
This provision prohibits:
- Riding a bicycle on a sidewalk within a business district
- Riding a motorized bicycle on a sidewalk
- Not yielding the right-of-way to a pedestrian when riding your bicycle on a sidewalk
- Riding your bicycle on a sidewalk and not giving audible signals before passing a pedestrian
300.411. Distance to be maintained when overtaking a bicycle
This provision prohibits:
- Failing to maintain a safe distance when passing a bicycle riding in the same direction on the road
300.350. Riding bicycles, sleds, roller skates, by attaching to another vehicle, prohibited--pulling a rider behind vehicle prohibited
This provision prohibits:
- Riding a bicycle and attaching to another vehicle on the road
- Driving a vehicle and knowingly pulling a bicycle-rider behind the vehicle
303.190. Motor vehicle liability policy, contents
This provision concerns:
- The liability insurance requirements for motor vehicles, which may include motorized bicycles
304.285. Red light violations by motorcycles or bicycles, affirmative defense, when
This provision prohibits:
- Improperly crossing an intersection at a red light on your bicycle
304.678. Distance to be maintained when overtaking a bicycle--violation, penalty
This provision prohibits:
- Failing to leave a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway and, when passing the bicycle, failing to maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle
307.183. Brakes Required
This provision requires:
- Every bicycle and motorized bicycle to be “equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle or motorized bicycle within twenty-five feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.”
307.185. Lights and Reflectors, when Required—Standards to be Met
This provision requires:
- Every bicycle and motorized bicycle ridden on a “street or highway during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise” to be equipped with proper lights and reflectors.
This includes:
(1) A front-facing lamp on the front or carried by the rider which shall emit a white light visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at five hundred feet;
(2) A rear-facing red reflector, at least two square inches in reflective surface area, or a rear-facing red lamp, on the rear which shall be visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lower beams of vehicle headlights at six hundred feet;
(3) Reflective material and/or lights on any part of the bicyclist's pedals, crank arms, shoes or lower leg, visible from the front and the rear at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at two hundred feet; and
(4) Reflective material and/or lights visible on each side of the bicycle or bicyclist and visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at three hundred feet. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to motorized bicycles which comply with National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration regulations relating to reflectors on motorized bicycles.
307.188. Rights and Duties of Bicycle and Motorized Bicycle Riders
This provision provides that:
- “Every person riding a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a [motor] vehicle,” with designated exceptions
307.190. Riding to Right, Required for Bicycles and Motorized Bicycles
This provision requires:
- Riding your bicycle near the right side of the road when riding at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic
307.191. Bicycle to Operate on the Shoulder Adjacent to Roadway, when—Roadway Defined
This provision requires
- Riding your bicycle on the road, or the shoulder of the road, in the same direction as vehicles are required to drive on the road
307.192. Bicycle Required to Give Hand or Mechanical Signals
This provision requires:
- Giving proper hand or mechanical signals when riding a bicycle
307.193. Penalty for Violation
This provision provides that:
- Any person who is 17 years of age or older and is convicted of any of these provisions shall pay a fine between $25 and $500.
- Any violation is not considered a criminal offense.
- Any person who is under 17 years of age and violates any of these provisions in the presence of a police officer may have their bicycle or motorized bicycle impounded for up to five days
