City of OKC
Home MenuBike Lane Safety
5 Things to Do in Bike Lanes
- Drivers, when passing a bicyclist, leave at least a 3-foot distance from the bicyclist.
- Drivers, do allow bicyclists to use the entire traffic lane on shared routes.
- Drivers, watch for bicyclists when you are making a right turn across a bike lane.
- Bicyclists, do yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection
- Do remember that bicyclists can make a right-hand turn at a steady red traffic-control signal without stopping, if first slowing to a reasonable speed and after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard.
5 Things NOT to Do in Bike Lanes
- Don’t forget that on the road bicyclists should be treated as drivers of a vehicle, with all the rights and duties applicable, as set by State law and Municipal Code.
- Do not drive in bike lanes.
- Drivers, don’t park in a bike lane.
- Bicyclists, don’t ride in the direction opposite of the direction permitted for vehicular traffic traveling on the roadway.
- Bicyclists and drivers, don’t forget to signalize your turn.
Bike Lane How-tos for Drivers
How to pass a cyclist:
- Give cyclists room, at least three feet. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle—when it’s safe to move over into the next lane.
How to park near a bike lane:
- Never park inside the bike lane.
- Drivers can park on the left or right side of the bike lane, depending on the street design.
- Do not park in the buffer zones (formally known as hatched bay areas). These areas protect visibility at intersections for cyclists and oncoming traffic.
- Drivers must ensure handicap parking spaces are only to be used for people with disabilities.
How to make right turn next to a bike lane:
- Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red.
- If the light is green, drivers should yield to cyclists traveling in the bike lane before making a right turn.
Bike Lane How-tos for Cyclists
How to turn left without a bike box:
- Cyclists should use hand signals to switch into the left-turn or left-most traffic lane to make a left turn.
- Do not make a left turn for the bike lane. This could lead to a car accident.
How to turn left in a bike box:
- Cyclists should move into the left-hand side of the bike box in front of stopped car traffic.
- Another type of bike box allows cyclists to turn 180 degrees, so they are now going with the flow of the traffic. See the second graphic below.
Bike Lane How-tos for Residents
How to set out your trash and recycling carts near a bike lane:
- Set trash and/or recycling carts in the painted buffer area or along a grass median. See graphic below.
- Do not leave trash and/or recycling carts in the bike lane.