Citation

Chapman JR. Transp. Res. Rec. 2011; 2247: 8-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3141/2247-02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The legal framework in which the users of bicycles and motorized vehicles operate varies widely from state to state. For laws governing vehicles on roads, the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances has created the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC). The UVC was developed as a framework that each state can adopt fully or in part or ignore completely as best serves the state. Most states have adopted the majority of the UVC without alteration, but standards applied by various states to the operation of bicycles tend to deviate from the UVC. Twelve areas of the UVC and how the 50 states have each chosen to treat these areas through their state codes were examined. As the rules of the road are made nearly uniform, especially regarding the operation of and interaction with bicycles, the goals of promoting safety and uniformity are advanced. This consistency also mitigates the potential for confusion, as the expectancy for operators of vehicles and bicycles will likely not be violated. This research showed that not every state had placed the same priority on the safety of all road users. This analysis showed that although much progress was being made to alleviate inadequacies, there was still much work to be done. Without a national focus on the uniformity of traffic laws related to bicycling, the continued patchwork covering the nation would remain and leave serious holes that would ultimately make the roads less safe for everyone.