While this is not a complete or verbatim listing of all the rules of the road contained in Oklahoma’s statutes, here are some you should know as an operator of a bicycle on Oklahoma’s roadways. Be safe out there!

A bicycle is a “vehicle”. 47 Okla. Stat. § 1-186

A bicycle is not a “motor vehicle.” 47 Okla. Stat. § 1-134

A bicyclist is granted all the rights and subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle [with some exceptions]. 47 Okla. Stat. § 11-1202.

Bicyclists may lawfully ride two abreast. 47 Okla. Stat. § 11-1205

A bicyclist is “traffic”. 47 Okla. Stat. § 1-177

When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three (3) feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle. 47 Okla. Stat. § 11-1208

Every person operating a bicycle or motorized scooter 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 close as is safe 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;
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions and while exercising due care, including but not limited to:
a. fixed or moving objects,
b. parked or moving vehicles,
c. pedestrians or animals,
d. surface hazards, or
e. any time it is unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
4. When riding in the right-turn-only lane.
Any person riding a bicycle . . . upon a one-way street . . . with two or more marked lanes of travel may ride as close as is safe to the left-hand curb or edge of the street or highway. 47 Okla. Stat. § 11-1205

Two statutes address the issue of impeding traffic.

47 Okla. Stat. § 11-804 applies to “motor vehicles” and says, “No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic . . . .”

47 Okla. Stat. § 11-1205 applies to bicycles and says, “Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.”

What constitutes “normal and reasonable flow of traffic” has not been defined by the Oklahoma legislature and how an Oklahoma court would apply and interpret this language is uncertain.

Authorities may prohibit the use of any controlled-access roadway by pedestrians, bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic. If they do so, they must place official signs on the controlled-access roadway that so indicate.
47 Okla. Stat. §§ 11-312 & 313

It’s unlawful to drive a bicycle on a turnpike. 47 Okla. Stat. §11-1401

Bicycles operated at nighttime must be equipped with a red light visible from a distance of at least 1,000 feet to the rear, except where the speed limit is 25 mph or less. 47 Okla. Stat. § 12-703

Bicycles operated at nighttime must be equipped with a white light visible from a distance of at least 1,000 feet to the front, except where the speed limit is 25 mph or less. 47 Okla. Stat. § 12-702

“Nighttime” means from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. 47 Okla. Stat. §12-1201