In shared bicycle/pedestrian facilities next to a road, do I obey the pedestrian or the vehicle traffic control devices?

Question

My commute takes me on a bike path that runs parallel to a road (with a sidewalk in between). When crossing other roads, the sidewalk and bike path merge, and there is one curb-cut and cross walk with a pedestrian signal. Unless you actually press the button to cross, there will be a green light on the parallel road but a "don't walk" signal for the crosswalk. Should I go anyhow? Should I come to a full stop before doing so, or simply slow down to pedestrian speed and check carefully for turning cars before doing so? Or should I press the button and wait for the pedestrian light?

I'm trying to figure out how "same road, same rules" actually works in practice; the problem is, there are no specific rules for bicycles on bike paths which share crossings with pedestrian crossings, and of course you can't apply the same rules as for cars since cars can't use bike paths.

To clarify, since there seems to be some confusion about the setup of the intersection, there will sometimes be a green light on the road parallel to the bike path, with a "Don't Walk" sign for the crosswalk, and there will sometimes be a green light on the road parallel to the bike path, with a "Walk" sign for the crosswalk (possibly based on whether someone has pushed the button, or possibly based on the timing, I'm not sure). That is, there are times when there's a green light on the parallel road, and cars may turn, but pedestrians (and presumably bikes) are encouraged to cross, and some times when there is a green light on the parallel road, cars may turn, but pedestrians are encouraged not to cross.

Answer 1

Most state laws in the US are based on the Uniform Motor Vehicle code. Usually there will be specific language that states if you are a cyclist on the road, you obey the laws that apply to vehicles, and if you are a cyclist on "pedestrian facilities" eg. sidewalks, sidepaths or multi-use trails, you obey the laws as they apply to pedestrians.

There is also usually phrasing that you must obey "traffic control devices".

In this case if you are on the path, crossing a roadway and continuing on the path, from a legal standpoint you most likely have to obey the signal.

From a practical standpoint, ask yourself "As a pedestrian, what would I do here?", since the pedestrian rules are what most likely apply.

Edit after O.P. added the picture:

If I am not in the road traveling like a vehicle before the intersection, I would absolutely behave like a pedestrian here - especially if there are similar trees on this side. Any car turning right is going to be barely aware of pedestrians and won't be looking for bikes at all. An on coming car turning left has the same problem, but at least you have a chance to see and avoid them. Their awareness will be even lower if the crosswalk sign indicates "Don't Walk".

If you were to ride out at even 10 MPH you will catch most drivers completely by surprise. This is one of the most common types of collisions.

Answer 2

Honestly, I think that's a crappy design for a bike path, and I would just ride in the road instead. A bike path like that is great for a weekend ride, but for a daily commute, it just wouldn't cut it.

If that road isn't safe to ride in, I'd try to find a different route. And if that's not an option, I suppose I would probably ride against the pedestrian light, slowing down to make sure it's safe to do so.

Answer 3

Simple: If you're riding in the street, you do what the cars do; but if you're riding where the pedestrians walk, you do what they do. In the diagram above, the walk/don't walk signs line up with the bike path, so you'd follow them.

Answer 4

There is a setup like that in downtown Indianapolis, and along at least one part of the Cultural Trail, there are signs making it very clear. (And yes, that is part of the trail under construction below.)

I don't know how much those signs cost, but they sure help to clear up confusion. In their absence, I'd behave as a pedestrian, and I'd definitely proceed with caution. Even though there are signs along that trail warning drivers to watch for cyclists, there's no guarantee they either read or acknowledge those signs, much less the accompanying signals.

Answer 5

I would stop and dismount, or at least slow down to walking pace. What I see too often are cyclists riding on sidewalks heading against traffic at crossings. It is difficult for drivers travelling the same direction and making left turns to see them, as they are in the driver's far right blindspot. Since you're off the road, it's a good idea to give drivers more opportunity to see you before you enter the crossing.

Also, the more direct reason is that if you've been merged with the sidewalk crossing, then the rule to dismount takes precedent (if this rule exists in your jurisdiction).

Answer 6

In Vancouver, BC they have several ways of dealing with this. At heavily trafficked intersections they have dual parallel crosswalks: one for bikes and one for peds. Each has its own signal control button to stop traffic and their own crossing signal, although they seemed to operate in concert. They also do not allow motorized traffic to turn right on a red light across a bicycle path, although it is normally allowed. Where bikes and peds share a crosswalk path and bikes are allowed to ride across, there are "elephant feet," large square painted rectangles which form a parallel path adjacent to the crosswalk lines. Otherwise, there are signs telling bicyclists to behave like a pedestrian in crossing the street.