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Walking and biking are enjoyable activities that help keep you fit, but they can also be dangerous. Nationwide, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities make up about 20 percent of all traffic deaths, with approximately 7,000 pedestrian deaths and 1,000 bicyclist deaths each year, according to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. To help reduce those numbers, Nevada’s bike and pedestrian laws aim to keep you as safe as possible, and Las Vegas is taking additional steps to improve trails and walking spaces.
The following explains what you need to know if you are biking or walking in Nevada:
Benefits of Biking and Walking
Walking and biking offer the following important benefits:
- Improves your health
- Saves gas, money, and wear and tear on your car
- Enables you to see the city in a way you might ordinarily miss as you enjoy your surroundings
- Environmentally friendly
- Cheap or relatively inexpensive to start
Nevada Improvements
The state and city have made the following improvements to help improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists:
- Working to increase the number of miles of bike lanes, paved paths, and shared roadways
- Improving bicycle infrastructure to provide more space between bicyclists and cars
- Planning and building an extensive network of urban trails
- Improving pedestrian bridges
Tips for Staying Safe
The following tips will help increase your chances of staying safe as you walk or bike:
Wear a helmet – Bicyclists should wear a helmet that fits properly and is correctly adjusted. If you crash, it could save your life.
Stay visible – Cyclists and pedestrians should wear bright-colored clothing so you are easy to spot. If you are riding a bike after dark, you should have white lights on the front and red reflectors or a red flashing light in the rear.
Keep your bike properly maintained – Before you ride, check to make sure your tires have proper air, your chain runs smoothly, and your brakes work properly.
Keep your hands on your bike – If you need to carry something, put it in a backpack rather than trying to hold it in your hands.
Skip distractions – Do not wear headphones or earbuds if you’re walking or biking. You should be alert, have your eyes on the road and your surroundings, and be able to clearly hear traffic and other sounds.
Nevada bike laws and pedestrian laws
The following Nevada laws intend to help keep bicyclists and pedestrians safe:
- Bicyclists have almost all the same rights as drivers, so you can travel in a lane.
- They also must stay in the right lane, except when unsafe to do so, going the same speed as traffic, or making a left turn.
- Cyclists must use hand signs to designate turns and other actions unless it is not safe to do so.
- Pedestrians must use sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian bridges when possible.
- If no sidewalk is available, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.
- Pedestrians must also obey traffic control devices.
Injured in a bike collision or pedestrian accident because of someone else’s negligence? Call Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas at (702) 877-1500. Our office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to serve you, but we are available by phone 24/7. We also offer an online LiveChat for your convenience. You will not have to pay anything upfront, since we offer free consultations. No fee unless you win.