BICYCLE FRIENDLY STATES

The Bicycle Friendly State program was launched in 2008 in order to better understand state efforts related to bicycling and provide a comparative framework that allows states to easily identify areas of improvement. By ranking the states, the hope is that states and the public can easily understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of each state’s efforts related to bicycling. As of 2022, Georgia ranked #24/50 for being a Bicycle Friendly State. For details on how this ranking was derived, see: https://bikeleague.org/bfa/states/ranking/.

The primary focus of the Bicycle Friendly State program is on the efforts of state Departments of Transportation, governors, and state legislators. These three groups are powerful policymakers and implementers who significantly impact conditions for bicyclists in each state. Other departments that play a key role in state biking policies and programming include: Departments of Health, Natural Resources, Highway Patrol, and Motor Vehicle Licensing.

In addition to ranking states, the Bicycle Friendly State program also issues report cards for every state with respect to their facilitation of safe biking in their communities and cities. In each report card you will find:

• Feedback based on survey data and suggestions from state advocates and agencies. This section recognizes the progress made and important steps that can be taken to improve bicycling.
• 5 Bicycle Friendly Actions and whether each state has taken them. Each of the 5 Bicycle Friendly Actions is an action that the League of American Bicyclists believes EVERY state should take.

For more detailed information on Georgia’s report card, see: 

https://bikeleague.org/wp-content/uploads/bfareportcards/bfs/2022/georgia.pdf.

LAWS APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES

In Georgia, as in most states, a bicycle is legally a “vehicle.” This classification means that general vehicular traffic laws apply to the operation of a bicycle. Some notable laws pertaining to the operation of bicycles are the following:

§ 40-6-144 Except as provided by resolution or ordinance of a local government for sidewalks within the jurisdiction of such local government authorizing the operation of bicycles on sidewalks by persons 12 years of age or younger, no person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized driveway;

§ 40-6-294. (a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘hazards to safe cycling’ includes, but shall not be limited to, surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates which are parallel to the side of the roadway, parked or stopped vehicles, potentially opening car doors, or any other objects which threaten the safety of a person operating a bicycle; (b) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when:

(1) Turning left;

(2) Avoiding hazards to safe cycling;

(3) The lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle;

(4) Traveling at the same speed as traffic;

(5) Exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; or

(6) There is a right turn only lane and the person operating the bicycle is not turning right; provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road;

§ 40-6-296. Lights and other equipment on bicycles: (a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and with a light on the back which shall emit a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear. Any bicycle equipped with a red reflector on the rear that is approved by the Department of Public Safety shall not be required to have a light on the rear of the bicycle…(d) (1) No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle path, bicycle lane, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivision thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet.

ACCIDENTS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

Biking is good exercise, and therefore good for the biker. Biking is also good for the environment, and alleviates traffic congestion at the same time. Biking is not without risks, however. Because bicycles are legally classified as vehicles and ride on roads alongside motor vehicles, accidents between bicycles and motor vehicles inevitably occur. Because cyclists are not very protected (even when wearing appropriate safety gear such as a bike helmet), any collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle tends to injure the cyclist much more than the driver of the vehicle. Unfortunately, Georgia has a high fatality rate pertaining to cyclists when compared to other states: more than 340 bicyclists and pedestrians were killed in crashes in 2021 alone.

Two recent collisions in Georgia illustrate the dangers associated with bicycling. Authorities say a man died after he was struck by two motorists while riding a bicycle along Georgia road (Nov. 2022) and an SUV struck and killed a man pushing his bicycle on Historic Highway 17 in Stephens County early Sunday morning of Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2022). Earlier in June 2022, there were two fatalities involving bicyclists in one week in Central Georgia -- one in Putnam County and the other on Broadway at Mead Road.  

NATIONAL BIKE SAFETY MONTH

During the month of May when National Bike Safety is celebrated, cyclists and drivers alike should reacquaint themselves with laws pertaining to sharing the road safely. Drivers should commit to keeping distractions to a minimum—no texting while driving, limiting bluetooth and GPS, and keeping music and talking in the vehicle to a level low enough that outside traffic sounds can be heard. Biking is a great sport and an environmentally friendly mode of transportation; we should all encourage its safe practice.

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle, contact Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm for a free evaluation of your legal rights.