What are the Vulnerabilities and Responsibilities of Cyclists in Las Vegas?

We often hear about cyclists being struck by cars due to the actions of a driver, but we seldom hear about cyclists recklessly causing an accident and their own fatality. While an investigation is still ongoing, this seems to have been the case when a Las Vegas cyclist was killed after clinging to the side of an RTC bus on Spring Mountain Road, eventually losing control and then getting struck by the bus. The cyclist died at the scene.

Fortunately, this accident is an anomaly. Most cyclists realize their own vulnerability and follow the laws here in Las Vegas. Thanks to the popularity and extensive advocacy surrounding cycling, the number of bicycles on our roads has increased significantly over the past decade.

Most bicycle accidents still take place in more urban areas, but more cities, including Las Vegas, have started making the roads safer for cyclists.

Cycling Safety in Las Vegas

Only a few years ago, Las Vegas was rated one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for cycling. Fast forward, and despite a great deal of headway, more than a quarter of Nevada’s traffic fatalities still involve cyclists and pedestrians. In 2020, cycling fatalities in Nevada rose by more than 50 percent.

This brings to mind the devastating loss of five cyclists in December of 2020 who were taking part in an annual ride. The driver of a box truck plowed into the group, claiming he had fallen asleep behind the wheel. He was found to have high levels of methamphetamine in his system and was later sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in Nevada state prison for driving under the influence. But this tragic event brought bicycle advocacy abruptly to the forefront, both in Nevada and around the country.

Now, safety coalitions are hoping to get tougher penalties for drivers who kill or injure cyclists. In Nevada, this means making these offenses felonies requiring jail time of up to a year. Advocates also want to see a “presumed liability” clause that shifts the burden of proof in such accidents from the cyclist to the motorist.

Cyclists’ Responsibilities in Las Vegas

While cycling is still considered a relatively safe activity, the National Safety Council has reported that preventable deaths from bicycle accidents have increased by 6 percent in 2019 and have increased steadily over the past decade nationwide.

Despite not having a motor, a bicycle is considered a vehicle in Nevada. While this gives cyclists the same rights as drivers, it also requires that cyclists follow the same traffic laws as motorists. Cyclists in Nevada are highly vulnerable on the road yet still responsible for their own safety and must abide by the rules and laws of the state.

In Las Vegas and other municipalities, a cyclist is required to ride on the street alongside other vehicles. This can create a dangerous scenario for unprotected bicyclists. While helmets aren’t required for cyclists under Nevada law, the caveat is that when a cyclist doesn’t wear a helmet and they are hit and injured in an accident, they risk getting less financial recovery in a lawsuit. This is just one of the ways that a cyclist has to make decisions for themselves based on safety and not just the law.

Bicycle Rules to Be Aware of in Las Vegas

Other municipal rules that cyclists should be aware of and understand in Las Vegas include

• One hand on the handlebar requirements
• The requirement to use appropriate hand signals
• The requirement that a cyclist must ride on the far right side of the road and in the same direction as traffic flow
• Riding on the sidewalk prohibitions
• Shared lanes symbols and responsibilities
• Night equipment requirements
• Passing requirements that say cyclists must move off the road when there are five or more vehicles behind them
• Highways that are off-limits to cyclists
• Cycling while impaired, while not a DUI in Nevada, can be considered reckless endangerment and penalized accordingly

While Las Vegas is taking aggressive steps to make roads more bicycle friendly, thereby reducing cycling injuries and fatalities, accidents still happen. In many cases, the insurance company for the at-fault driver tries to mitigate the company’s financial exposure by trying to blame the cyclist for the accident. This is unacceptable.

For those who have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, it is critical to get skilled legal assistance to ensure that the negligent party is held accountable.