Q: I live in an area where bikes lanes are present on both sides of the road, but there are no sidewalks. I was taught to always walk against car traffic. That also means walking against bike traffic. If I see a bike coming, I edge to my left to allow them to pass me on the right. I have had some experiences with bike riders not yielding any space, or worse, forcing me into the street. I have also seen a lot of walkers walking with traffic. What are the rules with regard to pedestrians and bicyclists using bike lanes in areas where there are no sidewalks? Also, what are the rules regarding pedestrian directionality with regard to traffic?
A: In the classic western movie High Noon, there’s an iconic scene moments before the villains arrive when Marshal Will Kane walks alone down the main street through Hadleyville, the sole person responsible for the safety of his town. Do you know which side of the road he walks down? It doesn’t matter, because the story takes place before cars and bicycles were invented. From a traffic safety perspective, we may long for those simpler times. In this modern era, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers sometimes share the same space, and there’s a clear imbalance in outcomes if it doesn’t all go well. Of course, in those simpler times we didn’t have penicillin and the average life expectancy was 42, so there are some tradeoffs.
You said you were taught to always walk against car traffic, and you’re right. The law states that where sidewalks are not provided or are inaccessible, pedestrians shall walk on the shoulder, if available, or on the outside edge of the roadway facing traffic. It’s also is a good strategy for making sure you can see what’s coming. Putting pedestrians and cars on the same pavement is the ultimate example of an unfair fight, so you want every opportunity you can get to see a potential hazard and get out of the way.
But does the law allow walking in a bike lane? I can’t find any statute that specifically grants or denies permission (there are a few that imply it’s okay). However, the law does provide a definition of “roadway”, which includes every part of the highway used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk and shoulder. That would seem to encompass bike lanes that are adjacent to the vehicle lanes, so it’s reasonable to conclude that pedestrians can walk in a bike lane when there isn’t an alternative.
Cyclists, when you’re biking on the road, you’re supposed to follow the same rules as cars (with a few exceptions – some laws just don’t make sense when applied to bikes.) Ride the same direction as cars travel (it’s crazy to ride the opposite direction of traffic), and if you approach a pedestrian (even in a bike lane), go around them the same way a car would. Just in case there’s a cyclist out there arguing that the law requires them to ride as far to the right as is safe, allow me to point out that running into a pedestrian is fundamentally unsafe. Plus, the law makes an exception for riding to the right if there is a hazard, and includes pedestrians as a potential hazard.
It’s unlikely that any of us will encounter a handful of villains rolling into town on a steam train, but we can take responsibility for the safety of ourselves and others by following traffic rules and watching out for each other. For that, I’m sure Marshal Kane would be proud.