Driver Guide

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•    If you are following a bicyclist and need to make a right turn, slow down 
and remain behind the cyclist until you are able to turn.
•    Cyclists often travel at surprisingly fast speeds. If you need to make a 
left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists unless you are absolutely sure you 
can make the turn before the cyclist reaches the intersection. 
•    Bicyclists change speed and lane position when encountering bad road 
conditions, such as manhole covers, diagonal railroad tracks, drain 
grates, road debris, or in strong winds.  Be ready to react.
•    When you are passing, give bicycles and mopeds a full lane width.  Do 
not squeeze past these road users.  The bicycle is generally a slower 
moving vehicle and this may require you to slow down.  Wait for a clear 
stretch of road before passing a cyclist in a lane too narrow to share.
•    Check for passing bicyclists before opening your car door into a traffic 
lane or bicycle lane.
•    A bicycle lane is a portion of a roadway designated by striping to be used 
by bicycles.  You may cross a bicycle lane when turning or when entering 
or leaving the roadway.  You must yield to bicyclists in a bicycle lane.
WHERE TO RIDE MOPEDS AND BICYCLES
On public streets and highways, you have the same rights and responsibilities 
as a motor vehicle operator.  Always ride with traffic, never against it.  
When operating at less than the posted speed or traffic flow, generally ride 
as near to the right side of the roadway as is safe.  The right edge of the 
road often has hazards like ditches, gutters, sand, and gravel shoulders.  
Leave space between yourself and these hazards as needed for safety.
You may move more toward the middle or left of the lane or roadway, as 
appropriate: 
•   when making a left turn;
•   when avoiding hazards;
•   when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle; and
•   when there is a right-turn-only lane and you are going straight.
Always check traffic and signal before changing lanes or changing your 
position within a lane.  On a one-way street, bicyclists may also choose to 
ride as far left as is safe.
The law does not allow you to ride a moped on any part of the federal 
interstate highway system. 
SAFETY TIPS FOR MOPED AND BICYCLE RIDERS
1.   State law does not require you to wear a helmet.  However, wearing a 
safety-certified helmet can prevent serious head injuries or death.
2.   Be sure your bike is in safe condition and has all the equipment 
required by law.
3.   Make sure motorists see you.  Wear bright colored clothes and stay out 
of a vehicle’s blind spots.  Use proper lights and reflectors when riding 
after dark.

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4.   Make sure you signal before you slow down, change lanes, or turn.  
Before merging, changing lanes, or turning, scan behind and in front 
to ensure that it is safe to make this maneuver.  Do so in plenty of 
time and in cooperation with other drivers who will be affected by 
your move.  If it is not safe, continue on a straight course and scan 
repeatedly and only move once it is safe.  In conditions of heavy traffic, 
less proficient bicyclists may find it easier to wait near the curb for a 
safe gap to appear.
5.   Be careful when passing to the left of a parked or moving vehicle.  You 
should leave 3 to 4 feet of clearance to avoid suddenly opened car 
doors or to allow for a vehicle to swerve.
6.   Be extra careful at intersections.  Do not assume your right-of-way 
when there is a vehicle approaching.  Be aware that motor vehicle 
drivers may not see you approaching the intersection, or may believe 
that you are moving at a slower speed than you are.
7.   Keep a steady line and be predictable as a courtesy to other traffic and 
to increase your personal safety.
8.   For teen and adult bicyclists, studies show that riding on the street with 
traffic, not against it (following the same traffic rules that other vehicles 
do), is far safer than riding on the sidewalk.
MOPED DRIVERS NEED A DRIVER LICENSE
To drive any motorized bicycle such as a moped on the public streets, you 
must have a valid driver license.  A motorized bicycle is defined as any two-
wheeled or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and 
a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty cubic centimeters, 
which produces less than three gross brake horsepower, and is capable of 
propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty miles per 
hour on level ground.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON MOPEDS AND BICYCLES
You do not have to register your moped or bicycle and it does not have 
to be inspected.  However, Missouri law requires certain equipment on 
mopeds and bicycles.
BRAKES — Your brakes must be able to stop you within 25 feet when 
traveling 10 mph.
LIGHTS AND REFLECTORS — The number of bicycle-auto crashes rises 
dramatically between sunset and sunrise.  Almost all such crashes can 
be prevented with proper bicycle lights and reflectors.  You must have the 
following lights and reflectors when riding your bicycle from ½ hour after 
sunset until ½ hour before sunrise:
1. 
 A  WHITE LIGHT on the front of your bicycle or carried by you that 
other drivers can see from 500 feet.
2. 
 A  REAR RED REFLECTOR, at least two square inches, or a REAR 
RED LIGHT that drivers can see when reflected by their vehicles’ low 
beam headlights at 600 feet.

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3.  
REFLECTIVE MATERIAL OR LIGHTS on the pedals, crank arms, 
shoes, or lower legs that drivers can see when reflected by their 
vehicles’ low beam headlights at 200 feet.
4.   REFLECTIVE MATERIAL AND/OR LIGHTS ON EACH SIDE OF 
THE BICYCLE or bicyclist that drivers can see when reflected by 
their vehicles’ low beam headlights at 300 feet.  This does not apply 
to mopeds that comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration Regulations. 
FUNERAL PROCESSIONS
If you are driving a vehicle in a funeral procession, you should follow the 
vehicle in front of you as closely as is practical and safe.  Every vehicle 
in the procession must use its flashing emergency lights.  An organized 
funeral procession has the right-of-way at all intersections regardless of 
any traffic control device, except for emergency vehicles or when directed 
otherwise by law enforcement officials.
The following rules apply to all drivers not involved in an organized funeral 
procession.
1.   Do not drive between the vehicles that are part of the procession when 
they are in motion.
2.   Do not join a funeral procession for the purpose of obtaining the right-
of-way.
3.   Do not attempt to pass any vehicle in the procession except where a 
passing lane has been specifically provided.
4.   Do not enter an intersection in which a procession is going through a 
red signal light, unless you may do so without crossing the path of the 
funeral procession.
ROAD RAGE
Road rage is an uncontrolled display of anger by the operator of a motor 
vehicle (usually in response to another driver’s actions), which can result in 
property damage or personal injury.
Drivers prone to road rage are usually aggressive individuals who fail to 
follow courteous driving practices.  Some examples of behavior associated 
with road rage include:
–Beeping the horn 
–Pursuing another vehicle
–Flashing the headlights 
–Making aggressive gestures
–Forcing another vehicle to pull over 
–Verbally abusing another driver
–Bumping into another vehicle 
–Tailgating another vehicle
–Threatening another driver 
–Braking or slowing suddenly
–Damaging a vehicle intentionally 
–Deliberate obstruction
–Assaulting another driver 
–“Cutting off” or swerving
As our society has become more accustomed to it, road rage has become 
a “normal” part of our driving environment.  These habits can be unlearned, 
but it takes self discipline on the part of drivers.

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