Bicycle Laws

The Dubuque Police Department would like to remind both motorists and bicyclists of important laws and safety information to ensure that motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are able to work together for safe usage of area roadways.

Under Iowa law, bicyclists have a right to use the road and, at the same time, bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists. 

Here are some safety tips and traffic law information:

Right to the Road

  • Bicyclists have the same rights and obligations as operators of motor vehicles including the responsibility to obey traffic signs and signals (including stop signs and red lights) and must use appropriate hand signals when turning.

Where to Ride

  • Bicyclists are required to ride as far to the right as safely possible. However, a bicyclist is allowed to use the travel lane of a roadway and may use the full lane if they feel that the right edge of the roadway is unsafe in any way, including road debris, parked cars, or to ensure safe passing of motorists.
  • Bicyclists may (but are not required to) utilize any usable bicycle lane.
  • Bicyclists are allowed to use sidewalks and crosswalks within Dubuque. While utilizing the sidewalk or a crosswalk, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing pedestrians. If the sidewalk or crosswalk is congested, the bicyclist must walk the bicycle if there is no street which a bicycle may be driven with safely.

How To Ride

  • Bicyclists are required to slow down and come to a complete stop at stop signs and traffic devices signaling red.
  • Bicyclists must use appropriate hand signals when turning.
  • For improved safety, bicyclists should make eye contact with drivers. Bicyclists should never assume a motorist sees them or that they have the right-of-way.
  • Bicyclists should be cautious of parked vehicles pulling into traffic or vehicle doors opening into their path. Special caution is required around parked vehicles as vehicle doors may open unexpectedly; it is recommended that bicyclists not ride within 3 feet of parked vehicles.

Equipment

  • It is recommended that bicyclists wear a helmet. A bicycle helmet should sit on top of the head in a level position, and should not rock forward, backward, or side to side. The helmet strap must always be buckled, but not too tightly.
  • At night, a bicycle must be equipped with a front white light and a rear red tail light, both visible from at least 300 feet away. A red reflector might be used in addition to the rear light.

Motor Vehicles and Bicyclists

  • Motorists are required to pass a bicycle at a safe distance. It may be necessary for a motorist to slow down and wait to pass a bicyclist.
  • Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians, including bicyclists, moving through a crosswalk.
  • When in doubt, a motorist should yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.

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