Alabama Bicycle Laws

Required under age

Required under age 16

Applies to passengers

Yes

Standard

ANSI Z90.4, Snell B-90 or ASTM F1447 (the statute predates the federal CPSC standard but a CPSC-certified helmet satisfies all three).

Penalty

Civil violation. Warning on a first offense; subsequent violations carry a fine of up to $50, but the court must waive the fine on proof that the rider has obtained a conforming helmet.

Statute

¹

See our find your helmet size and kids bike sizing guide.

Statewide rule

Defers to local rules

Notes

Alabama has no statewide statute that either authorises or prohibits riding on sidewalks. Cities and counties regulate sidewalk cycling under their general police power; Birmingham and Mobile prohibit it in central business districts, while Huntsville permits it outside marked downtown zones. Always check the local municipal code before riding on a sidewalk.

Statute

—

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

Yes

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

0.08

Penalty

Alabama's DUI statute (Ala. Code § 32-5A-191) applies to anyone in actual physical control of a 'vehicle,' and § 32-5A-260 expressly grants bicyclists the rights and duties of vehicle operators. A bicycle DUI carries the same statutory penalties as an auto DUI - fines from $600 to $2,100 on a first offense, possible jail time, and a 90-day driver-licence suspension even though no motor vehicle was involved.

Statute

¹²

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

White lamp on the front, visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector or light

Rear spec

Red reflector on the rear visible from all distances from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of lawful upper-beam headlamps. A red rear lamp visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to (but not in lieu of) the reflector.

Side reflectors

No

Pedal reflectors

No

When required

Darkness

Statute

¹

See our bike lights that meet the law and winter and low-light cycling setup.

— Not yet researched.

Two abreast allowed

Yes

Conditions

May not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. UVC §11-1205 derivative.

Statute

¹

Rule

—

Statute

—

— Not yet researched.

Bicycle registration required

No

Operator license required

No

Interstates

Prohibited

Notes

Bicycles are prohibited on Interstates and other controlled-access highways in Alabama. Ala. Code § 32-5A-52 authorises ALDOT and local authorities to bar pedestrians, bicycles, and other slow-moving traffic from any controlled-access roadway by sign; ALDOT has exercised that authority on every Interstate corridor in the state.