Bicycle Accident Claims in Texas
Bicycle rules in Texas (passing distance, helmets, riding rules), how fault is shared after a bike crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: A person riding a bicycle has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver unless the bicycle chapter changes them or they cannot apply by their nature. Tex. Transp. Code §§ 551.101, 551.103, 551.106(b)
| Bicycle laws | A person riding a bicycle has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver unless the bicycle chapter changes them or they cannot apply by their nature. Cyclists slower than traffic ride as near as practicable to the right edge, with exceptions such as passing, turning left, hazards, or an outside lane under 14 feet wide; they may ride two abreast in a single lane if they do not impede traffic. The state or a local authority may prohibit bicycles on sidewalks. Texas's bicycle chapter contains no helmet requirement and no minimum passing distance. Reviewed Transportation Code chapter 551 on 2026-10-28; no helmet or passing-distance provision found. Other chapters were not fully reviewed. |
|---|---|
| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Modified comparative fault (51% bar), called proportionate responsibility. A claimant whose percentage of responsibility is greater than 50% cannot recover. Otherwise, the claimant's damages are reduced by their percentage of responsibility. |
| Minimum car insurance | Minimum liability coverage is $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one collision, and $25,000 for property damage. Source: Tex. Transp. Code § 601.072(a-1) |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Two years after the day the cause of action accrues. |
More Texas personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Texas
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Texas
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Texas
- Car Accident Claims in Texas
- Dog Bite Liability in Texas
- Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries in Texas
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Texas
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Texas
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Texas
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Texas
- Truck Accident Claims in Texas
- Construction Site Injuries in Texas
- All Texas personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
What are the bicycle laws in Texas?
A person riding a bicycle has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver unless the bicycle chapter changes them or they cannot apply by their nature. Cyclists slower than traffic ride as near as practicable to the right edge, with exceptions such as passing, turning left, hazards, or an outside lane under 14 feet wide; they may ride two abreast in a single lane if they do not impede traffic. The state or a local authority may prohibit bicycles on sidewalks. Texas's bicycle chapter contains no helmet requirement and no minimum passing distance.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Texas?
Modified comparative fault (51% bar), called proportionate responsibility. A claimant whose percentage of responsibility is greater than 50% cannot recover. Otherwise, the claimant's damages are reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Texas?
Minimum liability coverage is $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one collision, and $25,000 for property damage.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Texas?
Two years after the day the cause of action accrues.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.