For safe riding, know the rules of the road - Life - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports -

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April 7, 2012

For safe riding, know the rules of the road

By Staff reports

Page 2 of 2

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In West Virginia, riders age 15 and younger must wear a bike helmet.

Bikes must have a bell, horn or other warning device that can be heard for at least 100 feet. Sirens or whistles, however, are prohibited on bikes.

Bikers may sound a short warning when approaching or passing other vehicles or pedestrians.

No bike can proceed down a city street by inertia, or momentum, with the feet of the rider removed from the pedals.

Riders can't practice any trick or fancy riding in any street or take both hands off the handlebars.

Bicycles used at night must have a front lamp that emits a white light visible from at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the rear that can be seen from 50 to 300 feet. Lights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

All bikes must be equipped with a brake that enables the rider to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

No rider can attach the bike or himself to any streetcar or vehicle upon a roadway.

No one on a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You might not need a driver's license to ride a bike on city streets and state roads, but there are state laws and city ordinances governing operating a bicycle. Here's a condensed version of those rules:

Bike riders shall ride as far to the right side of the roadway as practical.

Bikers shall not ride more than two abreast.

The same traffic laws that apply to vehicles apply to bikes.

Riding a bike on sidewalks is prohibited. Dismounting and leading a bike is allowed on sidewalks.

Bicyclists must signal when stopping or changing direction unless both hands are needed on the handlebars for balance.

The correct signals are made with the left arm: To make a left turn, extend left arm straight out to the side. To make a right turn, bend left arm upward. To stop, extend left arm downward.

No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

Bikers may ride only on a permanent, attached seat.

In West Virginia, riders age 15 and younger must wear a bike helmet.

Bikes must have a bell, horn or other warning device that can be heard for at least 100 feet. Sirens or whistles, however, are prohibited on bikes.

Bikers may sound a short warning when approaching or passing other vehicles or pedestrians.

No bike can proceed down a city street by inertia, or momentum, with the feet of the rider removed from the pedals.

Riders can't practice any trick or fancy riding in any street or take both hands off the handlebars.

Bicycles used at night must have a front lamp that emits a white light visible from at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the rear that can be seen from 50 to 300 feet. Lights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

All bikes must be equipped with a brake that enables the rider to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

No rider can attach the bike or himself to any streetcar or vehicle upon a roadway.

No one on a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

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