Bike Couriers Bike Shop

Serving downtown, Clifton and UofL/Churchill neighborhoods 2132 Frankfort Ave - 502 259 9000
107 W Market St - 502 583 2232
2833 S Fourth St - 502 635 2900
Louisville KY

Louisville Law

This is Metro law:

"Every person riding a bicycle on any roadway shall be subject to the provisions of this traffic code applicable to the driver of any vehicle, except those provisions of this traffic code which by their very nature can have no application."

The phrase "except those provisions of this traffic code which by their very nature can have no application" is a very important component of the law. The phrase permits an evaluation of traffic codes within the context of risk reduction. Central to the question of what is legal or illegal for a cyclist is ‘the nature of the traffic code’. If the nature of the code increases risk, the code “can have no application”. The phrase addresses the realities of bicycling, permitting the cyclist to be both safe and legal.

The oft heard question revolves around cyclists: 1) slowing at stop signs, 2) riding through red lights, 3) passing stopped or slow cars, and 4) riding on sidewalks. A narrow legal interpretation (one that ignores half the law) concludes that our traffic code requires cycling citizens to stop and stand unprotected in a traffic lane with oncoming cars approaching quickly from behind. The vulnerable cyclist has no clue as to the driver's intent or ability to stop that approaching car. If it is safe to leave an intersection, the most dangerous portion of the road, leave it.

A narrow interpretation of the law requires citizen cyclists to stop, stand in the midst of idling engines, and inhale carcinogenic exhaust. Louisville’s lack of adequate mobile source emissions regulations makes this scenario particularly unacceptable. The law permits the cyclist to move safely through a congested intersection or beyond a line of waiting cars, avoiding inhaling the exhaust of idling, then accelerating engines.

A narrow interpretation of the law requires a “one size fits all” approach to both persons and situations. Road conditions and circumstances differ radically. Cyclists also differ radically.

The customers of our three urban and inner suburb bicycle shops are commuters, college students, neighbors, grandmothers, children, bike club riders in spandex, the homeless, and international tri-athletes. Some customers have never ridden a bike before. Some are mothers bicycling to the grocery store pulling a trailer or with a child on the bike. Some have mental and physical challenges that the rest of us are lucky not to have to cope with. Some are trying to loose fifty pounds. Some have not been on a bike for thirty years. Some are trying to live a car-free life style. Some are in detox programs. Others should be in detox programs. Most ride a bike by choice. Some have no other transportation. Each one of them is distinct in ability, skill, strength, experience, reflexes, vision, resources, etc..

The thirty year old down syndrome cyclist riding a fat tire bike, the very pregnant woman, the little lady pulling a two wheeled grocery cart tied to the rear rack of her twenty year old granny-bike should all cautiously ride the sidewalk. The healthy, experienced adult cyclist arriving at his destination block should exit the busy street at the corner curb-cut and cautiously join the pedestrians on the sidewalk where a civil, gracious, and understanding spacial accommodation takes place between pedestrians and cyclists - a sidewalk reorganization peppered with greetings, smiles and ‘thank you’s.

Metro law is brilliantly flexible. It permits cyclists to be legal and reduce risk. The measure of the nature of the traffic code is risk reduction. Be brilliant - ride, drive with risk reduction in mind.

Bicycling in Louisville 101

Avoid those painted stretches of Louisville roads referred to as 'bike lanes'. Those are 'door zones' and 'debris fields'. If the suddenly opened door of a parked car doesn't take you down, the glass and roofing tacks will puncture your tire. Louisville has yet learned to properly design or clean a bike lane.

Ride the travel lane where the cars' driver-side tires have cleaned the road surface of debris. Drivers approaching from behind can see you better and they know they are going to have to go around you rather than squeeze past you. Should the passing vehicle get too close, you have room on your right to move away from it. If you are already on the right side of the road, you have no escape route.

Exercise 'controlled erraticism'. Float from the left side of the lane to the center and back in a controlled manner. This lateral movement catches the eyes of drivers approaching from behind. Not only do they see you better, but the message this motion sends to the driver is that he does not know where you are going next. The result is that the driver will give you more space as he follows or passes you. By riding in the left and center of the lane you also avoid the right side of the road where all the debris collects.

When it rains and snows, ride TARC. Rain and snow result in punctured tubes, as do sidewalks and alleys.

Use hand signals only if your bike is under control. Most people should keep both hands on the handlebar.

Helmets are for fast/assertive cyclists, the unsteady, learners, or cycling in heavy traffic or on slick roads. Don't let a helmet keep you from riding your bike.