Bicycle traffic laws — Texas Permit Test

A person operating a bicycle is subject to the same penalties for violating a traffic law as a person operating a motor vehicle.

A ticket on a bicycle is a real ticket. That surprises people who think the rules stop at the pedals.

Any person who operates a bicycle is subject to the same penalties for violating a traffic law as a person operating a motor vehicle

All traffic convictions go on the person's driver record whether the offense was committed on a bicycle or in a motor vehicle.

The record follows the person, not the vehicle. A conviction earned on a bike sits beside the driving ones.

All traffic convictions will be placed on the individual’s driver record, regardless if the conviction was for an offense committed on a bicycle or in a motor vehicle

A bicyclist must obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals, and stop at all stop signs and red lights.

Nothing about two wheels changes what a stop sign means. Rolling through it is the same offense it is in a car.

Always obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals. Stop at all stop signs and red lights

A bicyclist must always ride with the flow of traffic and never ride opposite it.

Riding against traffic doubles the closing speed and puts the rider where nobody is looking. It feels safer and is not.

Always ride with the flow of traffic

On a one-way road with two or more marked lanes a bicyclist rides as near as possible to the left curb or edge of the road.

Everything is going one way, so the left edge is a legitimate place to be. It keeps the rider out of right-turning traffic.

operating a bicycle on a one-way road with two or more marked traffic lanes, ride as near as possible to the left curb or edge of the road

Riders going two abreast on a laned road must ride in a single lane and not impede the flow of traffic.

Two riders side by side is allowed and spilling into a second lane is not. The lane is the limit.

Individuals riding two abreast on a “laned” road must ride in a single lane and not impede the flow of traffic

A bicyclist may ride on the shoulder of the road.

The shoulder is not a lane and a rider is allowed to use it. It is an option rather than a requirement.

Bicyclists may ride on the shoulder of the road

A bicyclist signals a right turn with either the left arm pointing up or the right arm pointed horizontally.

There are two ways to do it and drivers see both. Pointing where you are going is the one people read fastest.

7. Bicyclists must signal a turn or stop by: a. Using either their left arm pointing up or their right arm pointed horizontally to signal a right turn

A bicyclist signals a left turn with the left arm pointed horizontally.

It is the same signal a driver gives from a car window. Pointing the way you are going is all there is to it.

7. Bicyclists must signal a turn or stop by: a. Using either their left arm pointing up or their right arm pointed horizontally to signal a right turn. b. Using their left arm pointed horizontally to signal a left turn

A bicyclist signals a stop with the left arm pointed downward.

Down is the one that means slowing or stopping. Getting it wrong tells the driver behind the opposite of what you mean.

7. Bicyclists must signal a turn or stop by: a. Using either their left arm pointing up or their right arm pointed horizontally to signal a right turn. b. Using their left arm pointed horizontally to signal a left turn. c. Using their left arm pointed downward to signal a stop

A bicyclist must never carry more people than the bicycle is designed or equipped for, and must only ride on a permanent and regular seat.

A passenger on the handlebars takes the steering with them. The seat rule is the same rule stated the other way round.

Never carry more than the number of individuals it is designated or equipped for

A bicyclist must never attach the bicycle or themselves to a moving streetcar or vehicle on a road.

Being towed puts the rider at the vehicle's speed with none of its brakes. Letting go at that speed is the crash.

Never attach the bicycle or person to a moving streetcar or vehicle upon a road

A bicyclist must never carry a package, bundle, or article that prevents keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.

One hand is the minimum for steering and braking. A parcel that needs both arms takes the bicycle away from the rider.

Never carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars

What penalties does a Texas bicycle rider face for a traffic violation?

The same penalties as a motor vehicle driver. A ticket on a bicycle is a real ticket. That surprises people who think the rules stop at the pedals. Texas Driver Handbook, p.62: “Any person who operates a bicycle is subject to the same penalties for violating a traffic law as a person operating a motor vehicle”