In November 2017, a FedEx driver, who was northbound on Northwest Wall Street, took a right turn onto NW. Olney Ave. in Bend, Oregon in front of a bicyclist in the bicycle lane killing him. Bend Bulletin article. The district attorney prosecuted the driver but the court ruled that bicycle lanes don’t continue through intersections. Id.
What that ruling meant was that bicyclists riding in bicycle lanes had to merge into traffic every time they crossed an intersection and then merge back into the bicycle lane. That made no sense.
In 2019, the Oregon State Legislature passed a law stating that bicycle lanes continue through intersections so long as the bicycle lanes are marked on each side of the intersection. ORS 801.155
Since then, bicyclists riding through intersections can stay in the bicycle lanes even if the bicycle lanes are not marked through the intersection so long as they are marked on each side of the intersection. However, it would be wise for bicyclists to watch for vehicles turning right across the bicycle lane as drivers often don’t see bicyclists and sometimes don’t even look for bicyclists in bicycle lanes.
For more information on the rules of the road for bicycles in Oregon read our blog: Rules of the Road for Bicycles in Oregon
If you been injured while riding your bike, call G. R. Johnson Law, LLC, at 541-585-2222 for a free consultation. We have been representing injured bicyclists in personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents for over 30 years.
Call or text G. R. Johnson Law, LLC at 541-585-2222 if you have been injured in an accident. We can help.
