More and more people are choosing to bike to work, school, or the store due to health or climate concerns. When cyclists are out on the road, they generally must follow state or local laws, which vary by area, to ensure everyone’s safety.
You may think that if it’s so dangerous to ride your bike alongside cars or other vehicles, that riding on the sidewalk is a safe solution, but is it legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in New Mexico?
We’ll explain more in this blog.
What Are the Bike Laws In New Mexico?
There are no state laws either prohibiting or allowing bicycles on sidewalks in New Mexico. However, there may be restrictions in different cities or counties, so it’s best to look up the cycling laws for your area to ensure that you’re following local guidelines. For example, Albuquerque city statute 8-3-3-15 limits when cyclists in that it says,
“Bicyclists shall not ride upon a sidewalk when there is a wide right lane, bike lane, or bike trail adjacent to the direction of travel, or when signs are posted prohibiting bicycles on the sidewalk, or when within a business district.”
The statute also states that if a cyclist dismounts, they are subject to the laws that apply to pedestrians. Whenever a cyclist must ride on a sidewalk, they must always yield to the right-of-way of pedestrians and do the following:
- Ride slowly only on the right-hand side of the street
- Ride in the directional flow of the motor vehicle traffic
- Overtake on the left of a pedestrian
- Give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian
While there are no statewide restrictions for cycling on sidewalks, there are state statutes that cyclists must follow. According to New Mexico State Statute 66-3-702, every person riding a bicycle must follow all of the same road laws that drivers of other vehicles follow, with some exceptions. Those exceptions, stated in statute 66-3-705, explain that all persons operating a bicycle on a roadway should:
- Ride as near to the right side of the roadway as possible, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle driving in the same direction
- Not ride more than two abreast (next to each other) except on paths or parts of the roadways set aside for bicycles, such as a designated bike lane
- Not operate their bicycle in any manner that would create a public safety hazard
Additionally, all bicycles within the state are required to be equipped with a brake, a bell or other device capable of giving an audible signal at more than 100 feet distance, and a lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light for nighttime riding. By following and abiding by state and local laws and guidelines, cyclists and other vehicles will be safer on our roads.
Safe Riding in the Land of Enchantment
Approximately 1,000 cyclists are killed, and over 130,000 are injured in bicycle crashes every year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, 64% of cyclist deaths occur on areas of roads away from intersections.
It’s important for the health and safety of all cyclists and other drivers to follow road laws and pay attention while riding or driving. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data from 2021 shows that six of the 481 total traffic fatalities in New Mexico were bicyclists, and three of those occurred in Albuquerque.
While it is perfectly legal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk in New Mexico, provided local restrictions are not in place, operators of motor vehicles should be aware of cyclists around them on the road, just as cyclists should correctly follow road laws to ensure the safety of all.
If you have been struck by a vehicle while on your bicycle despite you abiding by state and local cycling laws, Barrera Law Group LLC is here to help. We’re here to answer any questions about your rights or filing a claim.