Riding a bicycle — Utah Permit Test

Every bicycle in Utah must have a brake or brake system that lets the rider stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 mph.

It is a measurable standard rather than a feeling. A bicycle that cannot do it is not road legal.

Every bicycle must have a brake or brake system that enables the rider to stop the bicycle within 25 feet from a speed of 10 mph.

A Utah bicycle ridden in the dark needs a white headlight, a red taillight or reflector, and side reflectors, all visible for at least 500 feet.

Five hundred feet is far enough for a driver to see the bicycle and decide what to do about it.

You are required to have a white headlight, red taillight or reflector, and side reflectors, all visible for at least 500 feet any time you ride earlier than a half-hour before sunrise, later than a half-hour after sunset, or whenever it is otherwise difficult to make out vehicles 1000 feet away.

A Utah bicyclist must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times and may not carry a package that prevents using both hands to control the bicycle.

A rider with both hands full cannot brake or steer, and a bicycle needs both of those far more often than a car.

Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

A Utah bicyclist riding on a sidewalk or crosswalk must ride slowly, yield to pedestrians, and give an audible signal before overtaking one.

On a sidewalk a bicycle is the fast thing. The rules swap round, and the person walking has the right of way.

and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

Utah bicyclists may ride no more than two abreast, and only if they would not impede traffic.

Two riders side by side are easier to see than one behind the other, until the road is busy enough to matter.

Ride no more than two abreast and only if you would not impede traffic.

A Utah bicyclist should make eye contact with drivers and must assume they have not seen the bicycle and may pull out in front of it.

A driver looking straight at a bicycle often has not registered it. Assuming the worst is what leaves a rider an escape.

Make eye contact with drivers; you must assume they do not see you and may pull out in front of you.

A Utah bicyclist should always ride to the right side of the road where it is safe and practical, and on a one-way city street may ride near either the right or left side.

Riding with traffic and near the edge is what makes a bicycle predictable, which is most of its safety.

Always ride to the right side of the road or street, as it is safe and practical.

A Utah bicyclist may never ride while impaired, because alcohol affects balance and judgment.

A bicycle needs balance a car does not, so alcohol takes more from a rider than it does from a driver.

Never attempt to ride a bicycle while impaired. Alcohol can affect your balance and judgment.

A Utah bicycle may not carry more people than it is designed for, except that an adult rider may carry a child securely attached to them in a backpack or sling.

A passenger on the handlebars changes the steering completely, and there is one exception written for a carried child.

A bicycle may not carry more persons than the number it is designed or equipped for, except that an adult rider may carry a child securely attached to their person in a backpack or sling.

A Utah bicyclist may not attach themselves or the bicycle to any vehicle moving on the highway, and may not have a siren or whistle on the bicycle.

Being towed by a car puts a rider where nobody can see them at a speed they cannot control.

While cycling, never attach yourself or the bicycle to any vehicles moving on the highway.

Wearing a Consumer Product Safety Commission approved bicycle helmet is always recommended in Utah and dramatically improves the chances of surviving a crash.

Utah does not require it for adults and says plainly what it does. The difference is whether you survive.

Wearing a CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved bicycle helmet when riding is always recommended, which dramatically improves the chances of surviving a crash.

Within how far must a Utah bicycle stop from 10 mph?

25 feet. It is a measurable standard rather than a feeling. A bicycle that cannot do it is not road legal. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.76: “Every bicycle must have a brake or brake system that enables the rider to stop the bicycle within 25 feet from a speed of 10 mph.”