Free Advice

We often get customers inquiring into the safety and hardware requirements for bicycles in the Prescott area. Sultana Cycles wants you to have a fun, safe ride without any unnecessary police contact, so here's your lesson in the area's bicycle laws!

In the City of Prescott, the only municipal ordinance applicable to bicycles prohibits riding and parking on sidewalks. (Realistically, this applies only in the central business district, but consider yourself informed.)

The State of Arizona, however, devotes Article 11 of Title 28, Arizona Revised Statutes, to the operation of bicycles. For example, did you know . . .

• A person riding a bicycle on the roadway or shoulder has all the rights and duties of a motor vehicle being operated in these areas -- so you have a right to a three-foot buffer zone when being passed, but must give hand signals when turning and abide by traffic signals.
• It's illegal for a person to ride a bicycle sitting anywhere than on a permanently-attached seat.
• You cannot attach your bicycle to any motor vehicle for a quick boost.
• A bicycle must have brakes that will cause it to skid on dry, clean pavement.
  
• You cannot ride more than two abreast.
• Carrying articles (or your doggy) is prohibited where it keeps you from being able to put both hands on the handlebars.
• A bicycle used at nighttime must have a white lamp in front, visible from a distance of at least 500 feet, and a red reflector on the rear, visible from a distance of at least 50 feet.
• Horns and bells are okay (and fun!); sirens and whistles are not.

Helmets, although not required in the State of Arizona, are obviously encouraged.

Also note that the Town of Prescott Valley requires that all bicycles ridden within town limits be marked with an identification number -- for the bargain price of $1.75 -- to be affixed by the Police Department at "regularly scheduled times." Failure to do so could result in a warning ticket and a summons to appear in Bicycle Court. Per code, they actually have an judicial officer with the title "Bicycle Magistrate."

The Town of Chino Valley adds no additional regulations to the operation of bicycles -- but keep your sexually-oriented businesses at least 1000 feet away from any bicycle path.

We hope you take this information and ride with it! (Although I am now tempted by the thought of adding a siren to my bicycle . . . ) Questions about your area? Just ask. As you know, advice -- and air -- are always free at Sultana Cycles.