Texas Bike Laws

and Houston Ordinances

FOR Bicyclists:

GENERALLY, bicycles are considered vehicles, and people riding bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. (Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101)

RIDING ON THE ROAD: Bicyclists are required to ride as near to the right of the roadway as practicable, when riding slower than the speed of traffic. Exceptions:

  • Bicyclists may use the full lanewhen traveling at the normal speed of traffic, preparing for a left turn, overtaking and passing, avoiding hazards or unsafe conditions, traveling in a lane too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to share (less than 14’ in width), and when avoiding a mandatory turn lane.

  • When riding on a one-way road with two or more lanes, bicyclists may ride as near to the left of the roadway as practicable.

  • Bicyclists may, but are not required to, utilize any usable path for bicycles that has been provided adjacent to a roadway.

  • Bicyclists may ride two abreast if traffic is not impeded.

(Texas Transportation Code Section 551-103)

SIDEWALKS: Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is generally permitted except in a business district. (Houston Code of Ordinances Section 45-302)

BRAKES: Bicycles must be equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (Texas Transportation Code Section 551-104a)

LIGHTS: When riding after dark, bicycles must be equipped with a white front light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from the front of the bicycle and a red rear light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from the rear of the bicycle OR a red reflector visible from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear of the bicycle. Texas Transportation Code Section 551.104b.

HELMETS: In Houston, anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. There is no helmet law in Texas. (Houston Code of Ordinances 45-326)

PASSENGERS AND CARGO: A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry, and may not use a bicycle to carry an object that prevents the rider from operating the bicycle with at least one hand on the handlebars of the bicycle. (Texas Transportation Code 551.102)

ALCOHOL: Texas’ Driving While Intoxicated statute (Penal Code Section 49.04) applies only to motorized vehicles and does not apply to a person riding a non-motorized bicycle.

E-BIKES: Class 1, 2 and 3 electric bicycles are permitted in Texas anywhere non-electric bicycles are permitted. You must be at least 15 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike, but children under 15 years of age may be carried as passengers. (Texas Transportation Code Section 551.107)

FOR DRIVERS:

BLOCKING BIKE LANES: No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle upon a bicycle lane. (Houston Code of Ordinances Section 26-100)

SAFE PASSING: In Houston, drivers of passenger vehicles are required to provide a minimum 3-foot buffer when passing bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. Drivers of commercial vehicles are required to provide a 6-foot minimum buffer. (Houston Code of Ordinances Section 45-44)

DOORING: A driver or passenger may not open the door of a motor vehicle in a way that would interfere with the movement of other traffic. (Texas Transportation Code Section 545.418)

CROSSWALKS: It is a Class A misdemeanor to strike and injure a bicyclist or other vulnerable road user in a crosswalk. It is a state jail felony to strike and kill or cause serious injury to a bicyclist or vulnerable road user in a crosswalk. (Texas Transportation Code Section 545.428)