Kansas Bicycle Laws

Required under age

No statewide age requirement

Applies to passengers

—

Standard

—

Penalty

Kansas has no statewide bicycle-helmet law. No Kansas municipality currently mandates helmets for adult cyclists; helmet use is encouraged through public-safety campaigns but not legally required.

Statute

—

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

Statewide rule

Allowed with conditions

Notes

K.S.A. § 8-1592 lets bicyclists ride on sidewalks unless prohibited by local ordinance or official sign. A rider on a sidewalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian, must yield to pedestrians, and must give an audible signal before overtaking. Wichita, Topeka and Lawrence prohibit sidewalk cycling in their central business districts.

Statute

¹

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

No

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

—

Penalty

K.S.A. § 8-1567 was amended in 2010 to apply only to operators of a 'vehicle,' and the Kansas Court of Appeals held in State v. Howard, 51 Kan. App. 2d 28 (2014), that bicycles are not 'vehicles' for DUI purposes because they are not subject to registration under K.S.A. § 8-126. Cyclists impaired in public may still face public-intoxication or reckless-driving charges, but the DUI penalties - including a mandatory licence suspension - do not attach to bicycle operation.

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 of a type approved by the Kansas Secretary of Transportation, 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 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 all Interstate highways in Kansas (I-29, I-35, I-70, I-135, I-235, I-335, I-435, I-470, I-635, I-670) under KDOT policy. Conventional US routes and state highways are open by default.