Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List
Dedicated to promoting cycling in the Memphis and Mid South community
HomeMotorist and Cyclists

Motorist and Cyclists. How to coexist.

How to Reduce Insurance Costs

  • Drive safely around cyclists: Avoid at-fault collisions which can raise premiums by 20–40%.
  • Fleet safety programs: Commercial fleets can negotiate lower group rates with insurers by implementing cyclist-safety training and telematics.
  • Vehicle upgrades: Installing crash-avoidance technology (backup cameras, sensors) may qualify you for insurer discounts.
  • Low-mileage discounts: If you primarily drive in bike-heavy areas like Midtown, consider adjusting your plan based on actual mileage to reduce risk profile.
  • Incident reporting: Prompt and accurate crash reporting—including dash cam footage—can prevent false claims and reduce liability.
How to Avoid Common Crashes Between Drivers & Bicyclists

Right Hook Turns: Check blind spots carefully when turning right across a bike lane, especially at intersections like Poplar & Highland.

Left Cross Collisions: Yield when turning left across bike lanes at intersections (e.g., Cooper at Central). Look for cyclists in both directions.

Rear-End Collisions: Give cyclists extra space when stopping behind them, especially on hills or near school zones.

Opening Car Doors (Dooring): Practice the Dutch Reach or if in Tennessee the Tennessee Twist—use your right hand to open the driver door, forcing you to turn and check for bikes.

Driveway Crossings: Check both directions before exiting driveways—common in areas like Madison Ave with buffered lanes.
What to Do After a Crash

  • Call 911 even if the cyclist appears okay—injuries like concussions or internal trauma may not be obvious.
  • Don’t move the cyclist or bike unless necessary for safety. Preserve the scene for the police report.
  • Cooperate respectfully—avoid placing blame or escalating. Even well-intentioned comments can be interpreted as admissions of guilt.
  • Provide driver’s license, insurance, and registration info. Take note of witness contact info as well.
  • Take multiple photos: Vehicle damage, bike condition, street signs, traffic signals, skid marks, and cyclist’s position.
  • Stay until police arrive: Leaving early can result in hit-and-run charges, even if you initially stopped.
Bike Lane Laws (Memphis & Tennessee)

  • Tennessee 3-Foot Law: Drivers must maintain a minimum 3-foot buffer when passing cyclists (TCA § 55-8-175). Four to five feet is preferred by cyclists.
  • No stopping in bike lanes: Memphis City Code § 11-48-1 makes it unlawful to park, stop, or idle in designated bike lanes.
  • Right turns across bike lanes are permitted only after yielding to cyclists.
  • Protected lanes (e.g., parts of Broad Ave) are legally treated like curbs—do not enter.
  • Violations may result in traffic fines ($50–$200) and are documented in city bike lane monitoring programs.

How to Navigate a Variety of Bike Lane Designs

Standard Bike Lanes: Found throughout Midtown and East Memphis; solid white lines define the space for cyclists.

Buffered Bike Lanes: Used on streets like North Parkway—treat the buffer as off-limits to vehicles.

Protected Cycle Tracks: Present downtown and in medical district—do not cross the bollards or dividers.

Contraflow Bike Lanes: Allow cyclists to ride opposite traffic on one-way streets—expect two-way bike traffic.

Shared Use Lanes (Sharrows): No separate bike lane; cyclists may take the full lane. You must follow at a safe distance and only pass when legal and safe.

Green Paint Zones: Indicate high-conflict areas. Yield to cyclists when driving through these zones.

How to Avoid Tickets for Bike Lane Violations

  • Use alternate loading zones instead of blocking bike lanes for deliveries or pickups.
  • Plan your parking legally: Use the ParkMemphis app to find approved spaces near bike-heavy areas.
  • Contractors should request temporary permits and install detour signage if obstructing a lane for construction.
  • Repeat violations (within 12 months) may lead to increased penalties and potential points on your license.
Best Practices

  • Pass cyclists with caution: Even if you think 3 feet is enough, go wider if safe to do so.
  • Always yield when crossing a bike lane to turn or enter a driveway.
  • Be courteous: Wave cyclists through at intersections if they arrive first or have the right-of-way.
  • Don’t honk unless absolutely necessary—sudden loud noises can startle cyclists and cause crashes.
  • Avoid “right on red” without checking bike lanes—cyclists may approach quickly on your right.

How to Reduce Risk

  • Slow down in high-density areas like Overton Square or Shelby Farms Greenline crossings.
  • Avoid peak bike commuting hours (7–9 AM and 4–6 PM) if alternate routes are available.
  • Stay alert in low-light or rain: Cyclists may be harder to see. Use fog lights and windshield defoggers.
  • Look for bike lane signs and pavement markings before changing lanes or turning.
  • Double-check side mirrors before opening doors or merging into parking spaces.
How to Anticipate Bicyclist Movements

  • Bicyclists may leave the lane for potholes, parked cars, or glass—be ready to slow or change lanes.
  • Don’t assume they’ll hug the curb: It’s legal and often safer for them to take the lane on narrow roads.
  • Watch for signal cues: Cyclists often indicate turns with hand signals—left arm out = left, right arm out = right.
  • Expect sudden moves near intersections, parked cars, or bus stops.
  • Pay attention to speed: Many cyclists can travel 15–25 mph, especially on electric bikes.
Pre-Planning for Job Sites and Routing

  • Use route planning software (like Google Maps Bicycling Mode or Ride with GPS) that overlays bike infrastructure.
  • Stage equipment and vehicles away from bike lanes on roads like North Parkway or Broad Ave.
  • Coordinate with city permitting officials to avoid fines for bike lane obstruction.
  • Create visible detours for cyclists when working near or across bike infrastructure.
  • Incorporate cyclist safety into pre-shift safety talks for delivery and construction crews.

Ways to Retrofit Fleet Vehicles for Safety

  • Install side underride guards: Prevent serious injuries if cyclists fall into a truck’s side clearance.
  • Use backup alarms and pedestrian alerts that activate when reversing or turning.
  • Add high-mounted mirrors and 360° camera systems for large vans or box trucks.
  • Outfit vehicles with strobe lights or reflective striping for visibility in low light.
  • Sticker reminders on mirrors or dashboards can cue drivers to “Check for Bikes.”

MHBC is supported by your membership dollars. Join or donate to MHBC today to enable us to continue to educate the Greater Memphis Area about Bicycle Safety and Awareness.

Just getting started?

See our helpful guide for beginners.

View Guide

Subscribe to the Tailwind.

Donate

Help the Hightailers make a difference.

Donate Now
  • explore
  •