TOPEKA’S TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Here are sections from Topeka’s Traffic Regulations that are pertinent to bicycling. Read the original regulations in the city’s CH142-TRAFFIC-AND-VEHICLES.

Sec. 142-182. Bicycle trail.

(a) The areas described in this section shall be reserved for exclusive use by bicycles and/or pedestrians: (1) The top of the levee system known as the Oakland Unit of the Topeka Flood Protection Project, in such areas specifically designated and marked by appropriate signs, such signs to be installed by the city. (2) The Shunga Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail, in such areas specifically designated and marked by appropriate signs at the trail entrances; such signs to be installed by the city. (b) No motor vehicles shall be driven in the area designated by this section except authorized maintenance vehicles of the city. Bicycles shall be ridden only upon the top of the levee system and on designated areas of the Shunga Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail. Bicycles shall not be ridden on the face of the levee. (Code 1981, § 43-589)

Sec. 142-454. Use of skateboards, roller skates or bicycles prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person other than a law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties to use or operate any skateboard, roller skates or bicycle at any time within any municipal parking stations owned and/or operated by the city. A person convicted of violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and punished in accordance with city ordinances. (Ord. No. 16594, § 1(43-462), 5-11-93)

ARTICLE IX. BICYCLES

DIVISION 1. GENERALLY

Sec. 142-611. Riding on sidewalks regulated.

(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the central business district. (b) The traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person, and when such signs are in place, it shall be unlawful for any person to disobey such sign. (c) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. (d) No person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk shall exceed a speed of five miles per hour. (e) This section shall not apply to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his official duties. (Ord. No. 16594, § 2(43-586), 5-11-93)

SUMMARY OF KANSAS BICYCLE LAWS

[References are to the Kansas State Statutes]

Bicycles defined under Kansas Law 8-1405

Bicycles are VEHICLES under Kansas Law 8-1485
Bicycle operators using roadway must follow Kansas traffic laws 8-1587
Bicycle operators should ride “as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable” 8-1590(a)
Bicycle operators may ride TWO ABREAST on any road at any time 8-15909(c)
Bicycle operators may use the FULL LANE on “narrow width lanes” 8-1590(e)
Bicycle operators must signal turns, stop and stop signs and obey traffic laws 8-1550
Bicycles operators must use white front lights and red rear reflector lights at night 8-1592(a)
Bicycle operators may legally proceed through inoperative ride lights when it’s safe to do so 8-1508(4)
Motor Vehicles must pass at least 3-feet to the left of a bicyclist 8-15169(c)(1)

KANSAS 3-FOOT LAW

KVBC registered a Board member as a lobbyist during the 2011 legislative session, and worked behind-the-scenes to promote a 3-Foot law for all Kansas cyclists. These efforts were successful when Governor Sam Brownback signed the bill into law. It took effect on July 1, 2011. Present at the ceremonial signing (pictured) were KVBC Board members and the Tim Roberts family, who also lobbied for the law after losing Tim in a cycle-vehicle accident.

A great debt is owed to all the Kansas cyclists who contacted their legislators and let their voices be heard. Special thanks goes to the Kansas legislators who actively supported the law: Sen. Vicki Schmidt (Topeka), Rep. Vern Swanson (Clay Center), and Sen. Dwayne Umbarger (Thayer).

Wording of Kansas 3 Foot Law (K.S.A. 8-1516)

Sec. 4. K.S.A. 8-1516 is hereby amended to read as follows:

The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles and bicycles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:

(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

(b) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

(c) (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a distance of not less than three feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.

(2) The driver of a vehicle may pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.

KANSAS DEAD RED LAW

KVBC assisted ABATE Kansas, a motorcycle advocacy group, in lobbying for a dead red provision. This law took effect July 1, 2011. It allows both bicycles and motorcycles to proceed through a red stoplight if the signal is not triggered.

Wording of Kansas Dead Red Law (K.S.A. 8-1516)

Sec. 3. K.S.A. 8-1508 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(4) The driver of a motorcycle or a person riding a bicycle facing any steady red signal, which fails to change to a green light within a reasonable period of time because of a signal malfunction or because the signal has failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle because of its size or weight, shall have the right to proceed subject to the rules stated herein. After stopping, the driver or rider shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in or near the intersection or approaching on a roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver or rider is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such motorcycle or bicycle traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.