Bicycle laws in Portland
From PortlandAfoot
The major bicycle laws in Portland can be summarized in an hour or less at a free BTA legal clinic.
Another excellent resource is Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists by Ray Thomas.
At the legal clinics, Thomas highlights a handful of the most significant local bike laws.
- Motorists must yield to bicycles in bike lanes: ORS 811.050
- Motorists must yield to slow-moving bicycles on sidewalks: ORS 811.055
- Fast-moving autos must give bicyclists a wide berth: ORS 811.065
- Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks, and bicyclists moving quickly on sidewalks forfeit many rights: ORS 814.410
- Bicyclists must use bike lanes in most situations if the lanes are present: ORS 814.420
- Bicyclists may occasionally operate in car lanes: ORS 814.430
- Motorists may occasionally operate in bike lanes: ORS 814.440
- bikes are banned from sidewalks in downtown Portland: Portland city code 16.70.320
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[edit] Other relevant laws
- Motorists can't talk or text on cell phones while driving, except for emergencies: ORS 811.507
[edit] Citizen traffic tickets
If someone violates one of these laws, they can be issued a citizen traffic ticket and forced to appear in court by anyone, even without direct involvement of a police officer.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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