BICYCLES

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 11, ch. 11-24

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-1 Effect of regulations.

Sec. 11-24-1. - Effect of regulations. A. It is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this chapter. B. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any provisions of this chapter. C. These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein. (Code 1967, § 10-1; Code 1985, § 21-196; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-2 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.

Sec. 11-24-2. - Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this chapter and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application. (Code 1967, § 10-3; ; Code 1985, § 21-197; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-197), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-3 Removal or alteration of serial number.

Sec. 11-24-3. - Removal or alteration of serial number. A. It is unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the serial number of any bicycle frame registered pursuant to this chapter. B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a representative of the traffic bureau of the division of police from stamping serial numbers on the frames of bicycles on which no serial number can be found, or on which such number is insufficient for identification purposes. (Code 1967, § 10-4; Code 1985, § 21-198; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-4 Equipment—Lights and reflectors.

Sec. 11-24-4. - Equipment—Lights and reflectors. Every bicycle, operated upon streets in the city during hours of darkness, shall be equipped with the following: 1. A forward-facing lamp mounted on the front of the bicycle and shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and 2. Either a rearward-facing red reflector or rearward-facing lamp emitting a red light that shall be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlight or headlamps on a motor vehicle. (Code 1967, § 10-5; Code 1985, § 21-199; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-199), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-5 Equipment—Brake.

Sec. 11-24-5. - Equipment—Brake. Every bicycle operated upon streets in the city shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within 25 feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement. Such brake shall be maintained in good working order at all times. For purposes of this section, the drivetrain of a fixed gear bike is considered a brake, provided the rider can demonstrate compliance with the braking requirement stated herein. (Code 1967, § 10-6; Code 1985, § 21-200; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-200), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-6 Use of permanent seat required; carrying excess persons forbidden.

Sec. 11-24-6. - Use of permanent seat required; carrying excess persons forbidden. A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto, except for a certified police cyclist who is performing duties that require riding in a side dismounting position. B. No bicycle shall be used at any time to carry more persons than the number for which it has been equipped per person in terms of seats and handlebars, with the exception of properly installed child carriers with hand and foot protection. (Code 1967, § 10-7; Code 1985, § 21-201; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-201), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-7 Riding on roadways.

Sec. 11-24-7. - Riding on roadways. A. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the same direction as other vehicular traffic as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations: 1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction; 2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or 3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or when traveling in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. This section shall not apply to a certified police cyclist engaged in the lawful performance of duty relating to traffic control or in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. B. No person shall operate a bicycle on any part of any roadway where official signs have been erected and are in place indicating the prohibition of such activity. C. Hand signals for stopping, turning and changing lanes shall be given at least one time but are not required to be continuous if the bicycle is in a designated turn lane or if the operator's hands are needed for the safe operation of the bicycle. A person operating a bicycle shall either give a right turn signal by extending the left hand and arm upward and to the left side of the bicycle; or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle. D. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane. This section shall not apply to a certified police cyclist engaged in the lawful performance of duty relating to traffic control or in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. (Code 1967, § 10-8; Code 1985, § 21-202; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-202), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-8 Obedience to traffic control devices.

Sec. 11-24-8. - Obedience to traffic control devices. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of all official traffic signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer; except that a bicyclist who is faced with a red traffic-control signal or device may, after coming to a complete stop at the intersection and waiting a reasonable time to determine the signal or device will not change to green, proceed after yielding the right-of-way to all traffic lawfully proceeding through the intersection. (Code 1967, § 10-9; Code 1985, § 21-203; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-203), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-9 Bike lanes.

Sec. 11-24-9. - Bike lanes. A. The creation of one or more bicycle lanes does not inhibit a bicycle operator's ability to operate a bicycle upon a roadway in accordance with this chapter. B. Every person operating a motor vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a person operating a bicycle within a bicycle lane. A person operating a motor vehicle may cross a bicycle lane when making a turn or when entering or leaving the roadway, but a bicycle lane shall not be used as a turning lane or passing lane. C. Motor vehicles shall not be parked, stopped or left standing in a bicycle lane unless the city has determined that parking within the bicycle lane in specific locations is appropriate during certain hours and official signs have been erected in the designated areas to that effect or the city engineer has issued written special permission parking for a specific event during certain hours. D. A person operating a bicycle within a bicycle lane shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing another person operating a bicycle proceeding in the same direction and shall further pass on the left. The audible signal shall be given verbally or via a bell, and shall not be given via a whistle or siren. E. A person operating a bicycle entering a bicycle lane shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles in the bicycle lane. A person operating a bicycle leaving the bicycle lane shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles and pedestrians. No person operating a bicycle within a bicycle lane shall leave the bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and, if any vehicle would be affected by the movement, by giving an appropriate signal before the movement is made. F. A person operating a bicycle within a bicycle lane shall travel in the same direction as vehicles traveling in the adjacent traffic lane. (Code 1967, § 10-10; Code 1985, § 21-204; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-204), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-10 Riding on sidewalks.

Sec. 11-24-10. - Riding on sidewalks. A. Any person may operate a bicycle on a sidewalk except where official signs have been erected and are in place indicating the prohibition of such activity. B. When operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any operator of sidewalk-type vehicles and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any such operator. The audible signal shall be given verbally or via a bell, and shall not be given via a whistle or siren. For purposes of this subsection, sidewalk-type vehicles shall include coasters, sleds, non-motorized scooters, roller skates, or any similar vehicle, toy or article on wheels. (Code 1967, § 10-11; Code 1985, § 21-205; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-205), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-11 Parking on sidewalks.

Sec. 11-24-11. - Parking on sidewalks. No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb, in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. (Code 1967, § 10-12; Code 1985, § 21-206; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-12 Right-of-way to pedestrians; passing pedestrians.

Sec. 11-24-12. - Right-of-way to pedestrians; passing pedestrians. A. Any person operating a bicycle, on a sidewalk or otherwise, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian. B. Any operator of a bicycle shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. The audible signal shall be given verbally or via a bell, and shall not be given via a whistle or siren. (Code 1967, § 10-13; Code 1985, § 21-207; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-207), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-13 Clinging to moving vehicles.

Sec. 11-24-13. - Clinging to moving vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person riding upon a bicycle to cling or attach himself or herself or his or her bicycle to any other moving vehicle upon a street in the city. (Code 1967, § 10-14; Code 1985, § 21-208; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-208), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-14 Towing other vehicles.

Sec. 11-24-14. - Towing other vehicles. The operator of a bicycle shall not tow or draw any coaster, sled, person on roller skates, toy vehicles or other similar vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the attachment of a bicycle trailer or bicycle semitrailer to a bicycle if the trailer or semitrailer is designed specifically for that purpose. (Code 1967, § 10-15; Code 1985, § 21-209; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-209), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-15 Racing and endurance contests.

Sec. 11-24-15. - Racing and endurance contests. No person operating a bicycle upon a street in the city shall participate in any race of speed or endurance, or contest with any vehicle unless such activity is specifically authorized by the police director or his or her designee and is supervised. (Code 1967, § 10-16; Code 1985, § 21-210; Ord. No. 2155 § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-210), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-16 Carrying articles on bicycles.

Sec. 11-24-16. - Carrying articles on bicycles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars. (Code 1967, § 10-17; Code 1985, § 21-211; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-211), 5-11-2010)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-24-17 Child bicycle safety.

Sec. 11-24-17. - Child bicycle safety. A. No person who is under 16 years of age shall operate a bicycle or ride as a passenger on a bicycle or a bicycle trailer on a roadway, bikeway, sidewalk, bike lane or bike path unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet of good fit fastened securely upon his or her head with the straps of the helmet and which meets or exceeds the standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, or that is otherwise approved by the commissioner of safety for the state. B. No person who weighs less than 40 pounds or is less than 40 inches in height shall be a passenger on a bicycle unless such person can be and is properly seated in and adequately secured to a restraining seat. For purposes of this section, a restraining seat means a seat separate from the saddle seat of the operator of the bicycle that is fastened securely to the frame of the bicycle and is adequately equipped to restrain the passenger in the seat and protect the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle. (Code 1967, § 10-18; Code 1985, § 21-212; Ord. No. 2155, § 1, 5-20-1975; Ord. No. 5352, § 1(21-212), 5-11-2010)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11VETR_CH11-24BIFetched: 10/28/2026