Safety and Laws
Eugene's transportation system is built for a variety of travel modes including motor vehicles, bikes, walking, and transit. All transportation users are responsible for ensuring their safety and the safety of others around them. Obeying posted speed limits, stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, and obeying all traffic controls, such as stop signs, prevents user conflicts and keeps the system working smoothly and safely.
Local Laws
Stay safe and informed, learn more about Eugene and Oregon transportation laws below.
- Bike Laws
- E-Bike Laws
- Pedestrian Laws
- Skateboard Laws
- Path Etiquette
- Safety Programs
- Safety Resources
- Traffic Safety Devices
Bike Laws
- Eugene Bicycle Laws (found in City Code Chapters 5.395, 5.400, and 5.420).
Highlights
- Under most circumstances, people biking must obey the same rules of the road as people driving. Bikes are considered vehicles and must follow laws, signs, and signals.
- People biking on a road at less than the normal speed of traffic are required to ride “as close as practicable to the curb or edge of roadway” except when: overtaking or passing another bicycle or vehicle, preparing to execute a left turn, avoiding hazardous conditions, or the lane is not wide enough to allow safe passing by a motor vehicle.
- People biking on a road can ride side-by-side as long as they do not impede the normal movement of traffic.
- People biking can treat a stop sign, or flashing red light, as a yield sign and proceed through a stop controlled intersection without coming to a full stop if no one else has the right-of-way. More about the Oregon Stop as Yield Law.
- People biking must yield to people walking on sidewalks, paths, and in crosswalks.
- Biking is prohibited on sidewalks in Downtown Eugene. People biking are required to walk when using the sidewalks in Downtown (8th - 13th Avenue and Lincoln - Pearl Street).
- When biking at night, a white headlight and red rear reflector are required by law.
- Helmets are required for youth under 16, and recommended for all.
Electric Assisted Bike Laws
- Eugene Bicycle Laws (found in City Code Chapters 5.395, 5.400, and 5.420).
Highlights
- Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are considered bicycles by the Oregon Vehicle Code. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on any roadway, lane, or path that traditional bicycles are allowed on, including shared-use paths.
- Class 3 e-bikes are considered vehicles by the Oregon Vehicle Code and are not allowed in bike lanes or on shared-use paths. Class 3 e-bikes must travel in spaces that accommodate cars.
- No class of e-bike is allowed on sidewalks.
- E-bikes may not exceed 20 MPH when being powered by the electric motor. It may exceed 20 MPH when being powered by human effort if allowed by the posted speed limit.
- Age minimum for e-bike riders is 16 years old.
- Helmets not required for e-bike riders.
- Riding an e-bike does not require a license, insurance, or registration.
Skateboard Laws
- Eugene Skateboard Laws (found in City Code Chapter 5.450).
Highlights
- People skateboarding are required to use the sidewalk. Skateboarding is not allowed on Eugene streets, including in bike lanes.
- Skateboarding in the street is prohibited except when crossing the street in a crosswalk or at a right angle.
- People skateboarding can use shared-use paths and sidewalks, as long as they are outside of two prohibited zones.
- Skateboarding on sidewalks is prohibited in Downtown Eugene and near the University of Oregon.
Shared-Use Path Etiquette
Paths are for everyone — show courtesy to all path users.
Stay in your lane — don’t take more than your half of the path.
Stay right, pass left — travel on the right-hand side and always pass on the left.
Give warning when passing — call "passing on your left” or ring a bell.
Travel a safe speed — slow down when passing, in crowded sections, and around curves.
Follow the speed limit — always travel a safe speed for the conditions, 20 MPH is the speed limit for bikes/e-bikes and 15 MPH for e-scooters.
Stay visible — use lights and reflective clothing at night (lights are legally required for bikes).
Dogs on a short leash — keep dogs on a short leash to avoid tripping.
Traffic Safety Devices
- To ensure the safety of all transportation system users, the City relies on roadway design, traffic safety devices and educational outreach.
- View more common traffic safety devices and learn how they work.
New "Stop as Yield" Bicycle Law
Starting in 2020, the ‘Stop as Yield’ law (Oregon Senate Bill 998) went into effect in Oregon. The law allows people biking to treat a stop sign or flashing red light as a yield sign. A person riding a bike may now proceed through a stop controlled intersection without coming to a full stop.
Every Corner is a Crosswalk in Oregon
Oregon law requires people driving cars or riding bikes to stop for people in all crosswalks, whether they are marked or unmarked. See Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 801.220, ORS 811.005-811.065. Oregon’s crosswalk laws are written to provide a buffer of safety for people walking on the roadway. The City of Eugene Transportation Every Corner is a Crosswalk Campaign aims to inform our community about crosswalk laws and safety.
Downtown No-Sidewalk-Riding Zone
No person may ride a skateboard or bicycle on any sidewalk with the area bounded by the eastern sidewalk along Lincoln Street between 8th and 13th Avenues, the northern sidewalk along 8th Avenue between Lincoln and Pearl Streets, on either side of Willamette Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, the eastern sidewalk along Pearl Street between 8th and 13th Avenues, on either side of Broadway between Pearl and High Streets, and on the northern sidewalk along 13th Avenue between Pearl and Lincoln Streets.
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Shane Rhodes (he/him)
Transportation Options ManagerPhone: 541-556-3553