Are you planning to go cycling in Olathe, Kansas? If so, it's important to understand the laws and regulations regarding riding on trails and roads. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) provides the Kansas Bike Guide, which contains essential information about cycling in the state. When it comes to riding on roads, cyclists must not travel more than two at the same time, except on trails or parts of roads intended for their exclusive use. Class 1 electric bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, and Class 3, which can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, are approved for trail use.
Both classes are considered “pedal-assisted”, meaning that the cyclist drives the bike normally, while a motor helps drive the rear wheel. Electric bicycles can travel as far to the right as possible on the city's streets. E-bikes are prohibited on county highways and interstates. E-bikes are allowed on bike paths unless otherwise indicated. EVELO strongly recommends consulting with municipal, county, state, and other local agencies for the most recent laws governing the legal and proper use of electric bicycles in your area. Whenever a road usable for bicycles has been arranged next to a roadway, cyclists must use that road and not use the roadway.
The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle going in the same direction must pass to the left of the bicycle at a distance of not less than one meter and not drive on the right side of the road again until he has safely moved away from the bicycle ahead. All persons who ride a bicycle on a road shall be granted all rights and shall be subject to all obligations applicable to the driver of a vehicle under this Act, except as otherwise provided in K. Persons traveling by bicycle on a road shall not travel more than two at a time, except on trails or parts of roads reserved for the exclusive use of bicycles. Every bicycle used at night shall be equipped with a lamp at the front that will emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector at the rear, of a type approved by the Secretary of Transport, which will be visible from all distances, from one hundred (100) feet to six hundred (600) feet backwards, when it is directly in front of the legal lower lights of the headlights turned on by a motor vehicle. The driver of a motorcycle or a person riding a bicycle in front of a permanent red signal, who does not change to a green light within a reasonable period of time due to a malfunction of the signal or because the signal has not detected the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle due to its size or weight, shall have the right to proceed subject to the rules established here. The driver of a vehicle can overtake a bicycle that goes in the same direction in an area where it is prohibited and will only have to pass when it is safe to do so. This is especially important after a bicycle crash. It is essential for drivers to be aware of cyclists' rights and responsibilities when sharing roads.
