Right of way clarification passed

A bill that clarifies right of way laws for bicyclists and pedestrians was passed April 13.

LB716, introduced by Omaha Sen. Rick Kolowski, specifies that any bicyclist who is riding on a designated path that intersects with a street or highway has the right of way within the crossing if he or she follows all traffic signals.

A cyclist has all the rights and duties of a pedestrian, however, he or she must yield the right of way to pedestrians when riding on a sidewalk, crosswalk or road shoulder.

LB716 also repeals a current statute commonly referred to as the “mandatory sidepath” provision. This states that whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a street, a bicyclist must use the path and not the street.

The bill passed on a 38-3 vote.