Bicycles & Skateboards on Sidewalks
Oh boy, I didn’t realize what a complicated and HOT topic this was! I covered the issue in a recent What’s Driving You Crazy?! segment, and I received several calls and e-mails after it aired.
There are different rules & laws depending on what jurisdiction you are in. So here’s the break down:
North Las Vegas: Not legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk (see below, Municipal Code)
10.60.130 Riding on sidewalk.
A. Prohibited. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk.
B. Sign Erection. The police department is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person and when such signs are in place no person shall disobey the same. (Ord. 1325 § 2 (part), 1999: prior code § 10.12.100
Clark County ( includes City of Las Vegas): No ordinance forbidding bikes on sidewalks. City ordinance only prohibits bikes/skateboards in the Fremont Street area. When riding a bike on the sidewalk, within the city limits, you must yield to pedestrians.
Henderson: I don’t see any ordinance listed that pertains to bikes or skateboards use of a sidewalk. Click here for the Municipal Codes.
Private parking lots and shopping centers across Nevada can post signs prohibiting skateboards, etc… as well.
I feel the whole thing can be somewhat confusing. Basically, what it comes down to, we all need to share. Pedestrians usually have the right of way… so keep that in mind.
Going backward… just so you know… this conversation originated because one of our viewers walks a lot and rides the bus in Las Vegas. He says bikes and skateboards are unsafe on the sidewalk. Many people would agree. But, then there’s the other side. Do we want our children riding their bikes in the street? Probably not.
I know the Regional Transportation Commission is trying to make the valley more bicycle friendly. You may have noticed…. many of our roads have bike lanes now.
Ride, Walk, and Drive Safe!
And as always, I love to hear your comments! 
Tags: bicycles, bikes, sidewalks
Categories: traffic
February 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I grew up riding my bike on the side walk and I was only allowed to ride in the street when my parents were watching. This of course was about 15 years ago too, and the sidewalks weren’t as crowded as they are now, but traffic wasn’t to bad then either. You look at the traffic now, and I’m sorry, I don’t like it when I see children riding their bikes in the streets. It really scares me. I worry about their safety.
Skateboarding should be on sidewalks only. I see kids doing all kinds of tricks on them and some of them eat concrete quite a bit. At least they are on the sidewalk a little bit away from the traffic. Can you imagine them falling right into traffic?? you can do that with bikes too.
I just think it is safer on the sidewalk. People walking on the sidewalk know how to move over a little bit to let the person on the bike/skateboard pass and the other way around too. It is just called common curtousy.
Some (I said some) of the “Adults” that ride their bikes on the street don’t even follow the traffic laws. Like, a red light would mean stop for a car, but I have seen bikes go ahead and run them. Some don’t even stop at stop signs. (Not all of you though. So I’m not picking on you!!!)
Also, whats the law for rollerblading? I am always on the sidewalk. So hopefully that is okay!
This is just my opinion. I just think the sidewalk is safer.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I would have to agree with Adema. I was born and raised in Las Vegas. It was dangerous back then and even more so now. Unless there’s a bike lane on the street, I will always encourage my kids to ride thier bikes on the sidewalk. Now, it’s obvious that they should be careful with those walking, as they have the right of way. For those that have children, I am sure that they feel the same. I heard way to often how kids are being run over by careless drivers on cell phones or texting while driving.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
About 2 years ago I was riding my mountain bike northbound on Las Vegas Blvd in front of the Sahara. It was a holiday morning about 730am so traffic was real light, but theres certain places in Vegas (like here) that I feel it’s smarter for someone on a bike to be on the sidewalk.
Maybe not.
So I’m headed north and I’m riding underneath that rollercoaster they got there at the Sahara. You go thru this little path thing that twists in and out thru valet and the main casino entrance, BUT there when it ends you can clearly see the light and the crosswalk signal ahead on Sahara. So as I’m looking at the crosswalk it turns green at the same time as the traffic light so I start to pedal faster.
See at that point where that little path thing ends is also where that rollercoaster comes up from out of the ground and theres a gate around it with all these bushes to hide the gate.I guess I thought Id be able to see at least the top of a car if there was one in that turn lane but I didnt.
As soon as my front tire touched the street. I seen a car come whipping around that corner (he was turning onto eastbound Sahara) He’s looking west on Sahara for oncomming traffic., it’s clear so he punches it and to UMC I go. I dont think he saw me till I was under the front of his 4runner. I think the bike somehow kept me from going under that car.
So thats my story. I like your “driving me crazy” segment, its very informative.
People who drive here are very inconsideratre to pedestrians and especially people on bikes. It’s bad enough we gotta be riding a bike to and from whereever, why do they gotta make it worse?
Whats driving me crazy is my figiin suspended license, but I stii like to hear about it, so keep up the good work. Thank you………..S
March 19th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Intersection of Russell Road at Whitney Ranch. Recently a new apartment complex was completed at this intersection. It appears that they installed certain improvements ie, curbs, sidewalk and street paving. However they did not complete re-placing the travel lane buttons on Russell Rd. that were destroyed during construction, specifically in the West bound inside line through the intersection for a distance of approx. 500′. Drivers are confused and proper lane markings should be installed.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Yes bikes and skateboards are not safe on the sidewalk. Its a matter of disciplining our child regarding this issue. Besides, skateboards and bikes are the two things that every kids get addicted to and we have to admit that we can’t stop kids from this one.
June 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Here is what I was taught irregardless of sidewalks,
Pedestrians move in a direction against the traffic on their side of the street, and bicycles go with the flow of traffic. Pedestrians on the left. Bikes on the right. Pedestrians, especially those like me, who rely on a mobility device, must use sidewalks whichever side of the road. If with the flow of traffic, I have to look over my shoulder at every driveway, or any other type of turn-off. Drivers tend not to yield to pedestrians, whether on foot or a scooter, even when turning. Turning traffic MUST yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Period. And before pulling up to a stop sign or light to turn right, BEFORE parking your car IN THE CROSSWALK, look to see if there are pedestrians of any kind, and look for bicycles. USE YOUR HEAD. A pedestrian obeying the laws has no chance against a Chevy Suburban in a hurry.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
So, this is what irks me about the drivers in Las Vegas. They think they own the roads. Because it can be considered rare to see a bike rider (since it is sooo hot!) they honk at you, even when your in the bike lane. Also, some lady, in her gas guzzling SUV is going to turn right when I have the little walking man to be able to cross the street and she still has the nerve to yell at ME when she wasn’t watching out for pedestrians! “Why don’t you watch where your going!?” “Um maybe because I shouldn’t have to, why don’t you re-read the DMV handbook and see that pedestrians have the right of way!!!” I felt like slamming my $400 beach cruiser down her throat, even though i love that thing like its my child. People need to realize that with higher gas prices others will be looking for other means of transportation (i.e bikes, walking, rollerskating if your daring). And they need to realize that cars aren’t the highest priority on the road, pedestrians are. SO PLEASE VEGAS DRIVERS, WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 1st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I think it is ok for bike riders to ride on the side walk. Especially in Vegas. The drivers don’t look where they are going. They just want to get to their destination as soon as possible. I don’t think a bicycle is going to do any harm to someone walking as long as they are both safe. I would never ride a bike in las vegas on the road. Unless I had a death wish!
June 1st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
“Bike Rider” talks about wanting to slam his $400 beach cruiser down the throat of a lady in an SUV and tell her to re-read the DMV handbook.
HE should be the one to re-read the handbook, because he seems to think that bicycles are “pedestrians”. They are not. The state of Nevada, as well as all the other 49 states, classifies a bicycle as a VEHICLE. You aren’t a pedestrian unless you dismount your bicycle and push it.
Some cities will allow bicycles on sidewalks if they travel at the same speed as pedestrians and obey all the pedestrian laws. Some cities have laws which require bicycles to use bike lanes (where provided). But everywhere you go in the US, a bicycle is a vehicle. period.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
HOW OLD DOES A CHILD NEED TO BE TO RIDE THEIR BIKES TO SCHOOL. WE LIVE 1 1/2 BLOCKS FROM SCHOOL IN CLARK COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
MS.D
BICLA@COX.NET
September 14th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
AT WHAT AGE CAN CHILDREN RIDE THEIR BIKES TO SCHOOL ON SIDEWALKS? WE LIVE IN CLARK COUNTY, 1 1/2 BLOCKS FROM SCHOOL. THEIR ARE QUITE A FEW LAWS AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANTCE,
MS.D
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Who do the people who created this prohibition of bikes on sidewalks think they are?! Maybe they should try riding bicycles on the streets here (or anywhere, for that matter) and see how safe it is! Motorcycles on the streets aren’t even safe and they can go the speed limit! If any city, county, or state decides to prohibit bicycles on any sidewalk, then bicycle lanes need to be created, and in every area where bikes are allowed. Otherwise, no matter what any police officer says, I will continue to ride my bike on the sidewalk! I refuse to become roadkill just because some idiot thought it was a good idea to write this completely senseless law!