Active Transportation Planning Resources | Kansas Department Of Transportation

Design Guidance

Mapping and Network Planning

Engagement and Equity

Project Delivery

Data Tools and Performance Measures

Funding

Active Transportation

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and Education

General

Bicycle and Pedestrian State Statutes

Bicycle Statutes

Kansas traffic laws extend beyond cars and trucks. Bicyclists must follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles, including obeying traffic signals and signs.

Below are the rules, laws, and requirements designed to protect bicyclists and other road users by providing clear guidelines on how bicycles should be operated on public roads.

(Kansas Statutes Annotated)

8-1405. Bicycle defined.

"Bicycle" means every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels, either of which is more than fourteen (14) inches in diameter.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1405; July. 1.

8-1489. Electric-assisted Bicycle defined. (2020)

"Electric-assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle's electric motor must have a power output of no more than 1,000 watts, be incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on level ground and incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device beyond 20 miles per hour.

8-1508. Traffic-control signal legend.

(4) The driver of a motorcycle or a person riding a bicycle facing any steady red signal, which fails to change to a green light within a reasonable period of time because of a signal malfunction or because the signal has failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle because of its size or weight, shall have the right to proceed subject to the rules stated herein. After stopping, the driver or rider shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in or near the intersection or approaching on a roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver or rider is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such motorcycle or bicycle traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1508; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 46; L. 1994, ch. 215, § 1; L. 1995, ch. 188, § 1; L. 2011, ch. 45, § 3; July 1.

8-1516. Same; vehicles and bicycles proceeding in same direction.

(c) (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a distance of not less than three feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.

(2) The driver of a vehicle may pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1516; L. 2011, ch. 45, § 4; July 1.

8-1586. Unlawful acts; application of regulations.

(c) The provisions of K.S.A. 8-1587 to 8-1592, inclusive, which are applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated herein.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1586; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 14; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 10; Jan. 1, 1985.

8-1587. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.
(All traffic laws apply to bicyclists.)

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 act, except as otherwise provided in K.S.A.8-1586 to 8-1592, inclusive, and except as to those provisions of this act which by their nature can have no application.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1587; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 15; April 19.

8-1588. Riding on bicycles.
(Limitations specified on the number of riders per bicycle)

(a) A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

(b) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1588; July 1.

8-1589. Same; clinging to other vehicles prohibited.
(Bicyclists cannot cling to motor vehicles)

No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same, himself or herself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1589; July 1.

8-1590. Riding on bicycles or mopeds; riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(Bicyclists must ride to the right)

(a) Every person operating a bicycle or a moped upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except under any of the following situations when: (1) Overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; (2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or (3) reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving bicycles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or narrow width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand edge of the roadway.

(b) Any person operating a bicycle or a moped upon a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left side of the roadway as practicable.

(c) 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.

(d) Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.

(e) For purposes of this section, "narrow width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1590; L. 1995, ch. 188, § 7; July 1.

8-1591. Same; carrying articles.
(One hand must always be on the bicycle handlebars)

No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one (1) hand upon the handlebars.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1591; July 1.

8-1592. Lamps, brakes and other equipment on bicycles.
(Light/lamp visibility specifications)

(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the secretary of transportation which shall be visible from all distances from one hundred (100) feet to six hundred (600) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

(b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(c) No person shall sell a pedal for use on a bicycle, unless such pedal is equipped with a reflector of a type approved by the secretary of transportation which is visible from the front and rear of the bicycle to which it is attached during darkness from a distance of two hundred (200) feet, and no person shall sell a new bicycle, unless it is equipped with pedals meeting the requirements of this subsection.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1592; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 29; Aug. 15.

8-1592a. Application of 8-1586 to 8-1592 to motorized bicycles.

The provisions of K.S.A. 8-1586 to 8-1592, inclusive, shall be applicable to motorized bicycles, and every person operating a motorized bicycle shall be subject to the provisions thereof.

History: L. 1976, ch. 42, § 6; Jan. 1, 1977.

8-1592b. Electric-assisted bicycles; traffic law application; no registration or driver's license required. Vehicle registration and driver's license shall not be required for operation of an electric-assisted bicycle. Traffic regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply to electric-assisted bicycles, except tricycles with no brake horsepower.

History: L. 1980, ch. 42, § 4; July 1

Pedestrian Statutes

Just like there are laws and rules for drivers and cyclists, pedestrians must also follow the law. The statutes below provide clear guidelines on how pedestrians should navigate sidewalks and crosswalks.

(Kansas Statutes Annotated)

8-1465. "Sidewalk" defined.

" Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for use by pedestrians.

8-1508. Traffic-control signal legend.
(Pedestrian responsibilities at traffic-signaled intersections)

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

(a) Green indication. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left, unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn; but vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited. (2) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may enter the intersection cautiously only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (3) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, as provided in K.S.A. 8-1509, and amendments thereto, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

(b) Steady yellow indication. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection. (2) Pedestrians facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in K.S.A. 8-1509, and amendments thereto, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.

(c) Steady red indication. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. Any turn provided for in said paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be governed by the applicable provisions of K.S.A. 8-1545, and amendments thereto. (2) Unless a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (3) Unless a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic facing a steady red signal at the intersection of such roadway with another roadway restricted to one-way traffic which is proceeding to the left of such vehicular traffic, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a left turn after stopping as required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (4) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in K.S.A. 8-1509, and amendments thereto, pedestrians facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal alone shall not enter the roadway.

(d) In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1508; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 46; L. 1994, ch. 215, § 1; L. 1995, ch. 188, § 1; July 1.

8-1509. Pedestrian control signals.
(Pedestrian control signals defined)

Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "walk" or "don't walk" or symbols of "walking person" or "upraised palm" are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

(a) Flashing or steady walk or walking person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.

(b) Flashing or steady don't walk or upraised palm. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing on the "walk" or "walking person" signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the "don't walk" or upraised palm signal is showing.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1509; L. 1995, ch. 188, § 2; July 1.

8-1532. Pedestrians; obedience to official traffic-control devices required.
(Pedestrian obedience to official traffic control)

(a) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device specifically applicable to such pedestrian, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic and pedestrian-control signals as provided in K.S.A. 8-1508 and 8-1509.

(c) At all other places, pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this chapter [*].

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1532; July 1.

8-1533. Same; right-of-way at crosswalks; interference with vehicular traffic; duties of drivers.
(Crosswalk responsibilities defined)

(a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

(b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

(c) Subsection (a) shall not apply under the conditions stated in subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-1534.

(d) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1533; July 1.

8-1534. Same; crossing roadway at location other than crosswalk.
(Pedestrian responsibilities at intersections other than crosswalks defined)

(a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.

(d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1534; July 1.

8-1535. Same; drivers to exercise due care.
(Drivers shall exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians)

Notwithstanding other provisions of this article or the provisions of any local ordinance, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1535; July 1.

8-1536. Same; movement in crosswalk.
(Pedestrian movements in crosswalks directed)

Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1536; July 1.

8-1537. Same; use of roadways.
(Pedestrian movements in roadways directed)

(a) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

(b) Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.

(c) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this article, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1537; July 1.

8-1538. Soliciting rides, business or contributions; exception.
(Solicitation on roadways prohibited)

(a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride.

(b) No person shall stand on a highway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle.

(c) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or highway for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway.

(d) The soliciting of contributions under subsection (b) shall not be prohibited, if such person or organization has first obtained a permit authorizing such soliciting from the local authorities in their respective jurisdictions.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1538; L. 1995, ch. 65, § 1; Apr. 6.

8-1540. Pedestrians' right-of-way on sidewalks.

The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1540; July 1.

8-1541. Pedestrians must yield right-of-way to authorized emergency vehicle.
(Conflicts between pedestrians and emergency vehicles directed)

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of subsection (d) of K.S.A. 8-1738 and visual signals meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1720, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, every pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle.

(b) This section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway nor from the duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1541; July 1.

8-1542. Blind pedestrian's right-of-way.

The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1542; July 1.

8-1543. Pedestrians under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor.
(Substance-impaired pedestrians prohibited from roadway; penalty)

A pedestrian who is under the influence of alcohol or any drug to a degree which renders such pedestrian a hazard shall not walk or be upon a highway except on a sidewalk. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1543; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 5; Jan. 1, 1985.

8-1544. Obedience of pedestrian to bridge and railroad signals required.
(Pedestrian obedience to other modal operational signals)

(a) No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given.

(b) No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1544; July 1.

8-2006. Restrictions on pedestrian crossings.
(Restrictions by local authorities and transportation secretary at marked pedestrian crossings defined)

Local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, and the secretary of transportation, by erecting appropriate official traffic-control devices, are hereby empowered within their respective jurisdictions to prohibit pedestrians from crossing any roadway in a business district or any designated highways except in a crosswalk.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-2006; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 34; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 55; Aug. 15.

8-2007. Same; unmarked crosswalks.
(Restrictions by local authorities and transportation secretary at unmarked pedestrian crossings defined)

The secretary of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions, after an engineering and traffic investigation, may designate unmarked crosswalk locations where pedestrian crossing is prohibited or where pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles. Such restrictions shall be effective only when official traffic-control devices indicating the restrictions are in place.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-2007; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 56; Aug. 15.

12-687. Same; improving traffic ways and connections.

The governing body of such city shall have power to improve or reimprove or cause to be improved or reimproved, any main trafficway or trafficway connection designated and established under the provisions of this act. Such improvement or reimprovement may include grading, re-grading, curbing, recurbing, guttering, reguttering, paving, repaving, macadamizing, remacadamizing, constructing, reconstructing, opening, widening, extending, rounding corners, straightening, relocating, building any necessary bridges and approaches thereto, viaducts, overpasses, underpasses, culverts and drainage, trafficway illumination, traffic control devices, pedestrian ways, or other improvements, or any two (2) or more of such improvements or reimprovements and the acquisition of right-of-way by purchase or condemnation when necessary for any of such purposes. The governing body may also employ highway and traffic engineering assistance when necessary to the proper development and planning of such improvement or reimprovement.

History: L. 1959, ch. 71, § 3; June 30.

Staff	Title	Phone	Email
Kramer, Jenny	Active Transportation Manager	(785) 296-5186	Email
Messina, Matt	Bureau Chief, Multimodal Transportation	(785) 296-7448	Email

Contact