You can ride in a straight line, follow every traffic sign and still have a car swing in too close without warning. For older adults biking through their neighborhoods or on the back roads, that moment of tension is all too familiar. You see the turn signal, but the vehicle keeps coming. It feels as though you have been ignored again.
What are the four rules of the Bicycle Friendly Delaware Act?
Many drivers are unaware they must give space to cyclists. The Bicycle Friendly Delaware Act sets four clear expectations that define how people on bikes and in cars should share the road:
- Turning across a bike lane requires stopping for bikes already present: If you are already in a bike lane and a car turns across it, left or right, the vehicle must wait, whether turning at a light, into a driveway or out of a parking lot. You have the right to continue through without another driver cutting you off.
- A passing car must leave at least three feet between you and its side mirror: If that much room is not available, the vehicle must hold back. Rushing through narrow space not only shows poor judgment. It may violate traffic rules and increase the risk of a crash.
- Cyclists can ride side by side, as long as they do not block traffic: You and another cyclist can legally ride side by side on quieter streets or inside a designated bike lane. No one behind the wheel should expect you to single-file out of fear or impatience.
- Bicycles follow traffic laws and must be treated as legal vehicles: That means stopping at lights, signaling turns and riding in the same direction as traffic. It also means you receive the same rights at intersections and in shared lanes.
If you have ever had to swerve, stop short or feel your balance shift from someone else’s poor judgment, you likely showed more awareness than the person who created the risk.
What every cyclist should remember
A rushed turn or a close pass can shake your confidence. However, Delaware’s traffic rules exist to protect your space, especially when others act carelessly. Knowing these four expectations can help you recognize when someone crosses the line and remind you that your presence on the road matters.