Updated bike laws for Memphis and Shelby County | Transportation

Liveable Memphis is an advocate for making Memphis safer and more accessible for bikers and pedestrians. That’s why they distribute pocket-sized blue and orange cards with updated bike laws from Memphis and Shelby County code. If you haven’t received a card, you can read the laws below.

• Bikes must obey rules of the road, bikes are legal vehicles and share the rights and responsibilities of all users of the road.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic, as close to the right as practicable, unless you need to avoid hazards or if the lane is too narrow.
• Obey signs that prohibit bikes.
• Do not ride more than two abreast (except on an exclusive bike path).  When riding two abreast, do not impede traffic and stay within a single travel lane.
• Stop completely at a red light.  If it is clear and you have yielded to all traffic, you may proceed through the red light.
• Lights at night are required! Bicycles must be equipped with a front white light and a rear red
• light or reflector.
• Cyclists must be able to brake within 25ft on clean dry pavement riding 10mph.  Fixed gears count as long as you can brake within the limit.
• Every rider must have a seat.  Child carriers count for children.
• When turning, use hand signals at least once.
• Everyone should wear a helmet.  If you are under 16, you must wear a helmet!