To ride a bicycle safely in Salt Lake City, cyclists must adhere to both state and city laws. These regulations are designed to explain the rights and responsebilities of riders so that all road users can share the road safely.
Downtown Sidewalk Riding Restrictions
Bicyclists are permitted to ride on sidewalks in Salt Lake City, with the exception of the designated downtown area. In this downtown zone, city ordinance prohibits bicycling, in-line skating, and skateboarding on sidewalks.
Rules for Border Street Sidewalks
On border streets, the ordinance applies only to the interior sidewalk. For instance, on 200 East, bicyclists are allowed on the east sidewalk but not the west sidewalk.
Safe Sidewalk Riding Practices
When using sidewalks, cyclists should ride on the right side of the road in the direction of traffic, as this is considered safer than riding against traffic. Additionally, because motorists may not expect fast-moving bicycles to appear suddenly at intersections, riders must use particular care at driveways and intersections.
Interacting With Pedestrians
Pedestrians maintain the right-of-way on sidewalks and walkways. By law, bicyclists are required to provide an audible warning using a voice or a bell when passing pedestrians.
Maintaining Safe Cycling Speeds
Because sidewalks and crosswalks are designed for pedestrian speeds, cyclists should travel slowly, obey pedestrian signals, and remain vigilant for turning traffic at intersections and driveways.
