Alabama Cycling Laws
General Information
All laws mentioned below are subject to change.
(Source of the information : www.bikeleague.org)
Alabama State Laws
Know The Rules When Riding
Safe Passing Laws
- A roadway that has a marked bicycle lane, or
- A roadway without a marked bicycle lane if the roadway has a marked speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and the roadway does not have a double yellow line separating cars from oncoming traffic indicating a no passing zone
Alabama law states that the definition of a safe distance as not less than three feet when passing a bicyclist shall only apply when a cyclist is riding within two feet of the right shoulder of the roadway.
Source: COA §32-5A-82
Share the Road license plates
Alabama began offering “I Share the Road” license plates in 2017. The net proceeds of the program are used by the Fairhope Cycling Project to promote, educate, and help make the communities of Alabama bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
Source: COA §32-6-64
Sidewalk Riding
Source: Ala. Code §§32-5A-52; 22-27-90
Mandatory Use of Separated Facilities
Source: Ala. Code §32-5A-263
Authorization for Local Regulation of bicycles
Alabama does not specifically provide for local authorities to regulate the operation of bicycles or require registration of bicycles, although such authorities may regulate the operation of bicycles through the exercise of their other legal powers.
Source: N/A
Treatment as a Vehicle
Source: Ala. Code §§32-1-1.1(81); 32-5A-260
Helmet Law
Sources: COA §§32-5A-283; 32-5A-285
Vulnerable Road User Laws
Alabama does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. There are currently no national standards for laws protecting vulnerable road users, but the League of American Bicyclists has drafted a Model Vulnerable Road User statute, which you can find here.
Source: N/A
Distracted Driving Laws
Source: See Act 2012-291
Bicycling Under the Influence
Source: Ala. Code §§32-5A-191; 22-27-90
Where to Ride
Source: Ala. Code §32-5A-263
Dooring laws
Source: Ala. Code §32-5A-82
Electric Assist Bikes
Alabama does not necessarily have an “E-Bike” law pertaining specifically to what most would think of as an electric bicycle. However, for the time being, “E-Bikes” probably would be governed under Chapter 12 of Title 32 which pertains to Motorcycles and Motor-Drive Cycles.In sum, the provision would be – follow the rules of the road the same as any other motor vehicle.
Source: N/A