Arizona Bicycle Laws

Required under age

No statewide age requirement

Applies to passengers

—

Standard

—

Penalty

No statewide bicycle helmet law. Some municipalities require helmets for minors - check local ordinances.

Statute

—

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

Statewide rule

Defers to local rules

Notes

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28, Chapter 3, Article 11 (Bicycles) is silent on sidewalk riding; A.R.S. § 28-627 reserves the authority to regulate bicycles on sidewalks to local jurisdictions. Phoenix City Code § 36-76.02 prohibits riding a bicycle on a sidewalk in any business district; Tucson Code § 20-146 prohibits sidewalk riding by anyone aged 10 or older in the central downtown area; Tempe and Scottsdale each maintain similar downtown carve-outs.

Statute

—

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

No

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

—

Penalty

Arizona's DUI statute (A.R.S. § 28-1381) applies to operators of a 'vehicle,' but A.R.S. § 28-101 excludes 'devices moved exclusively by human power' from the definition of vehicle, which keeps bicycles outside the statute. Public-intoxication or related offenses may still apply.

Statute

¹²

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

Lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from at least 500 feet to the front.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector only

Rear spec

Red rear reflector of an ADOT-approved type, visible from 50 to 300 feet when directly in front of upper-beam headlamps. A red rear lamp visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to 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

Allowed

Notes

ADOT permits bicycle travel on the paved shoulders of rural Interstate segments where no reasonable alternative exists, including long stretches of I-10, I-8, I-17, I-19, and I-40. Bicycles are prohibited on Interstate segments within the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas (signed at on-ramps) and through tunnels.