Bicycle riders must comply with the rules of the road, such as obeying traffic signals and riding bicycles with sufficient braking systems. Riders, like drivers, owe others a duty of care.
There are some laws that apply specifically to the safe operation of bicycles, such as using the marked bike lane or where there is no bike lane, riding as close to the right curb as possible when traveling at speeds slower than normal traffic. If riding a bike on the sidewalk, while crossing the road, or using the crosswalk, you must obey the same rules as pedestrians. You also must yield to pedestrians. If riding after dark, your bicycle must be equipped with a white lamp on the front visible from at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the rear visible from 600 feet. Violation of these laws may result in the assignment of at least some fault to you.
Vehicle operators are required to use special care when sharing the roadway with “vulnerable” users, including those riding bicycles. Those who fail to do so and injure riders may be subject not only to civil action, such as a personal injury claim, but to criminal penalties as well.