Rhode Island § 31-19-15 - Operation of Bicycles
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 31-19-15 — Operation of Bicycles, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-19-15. Operation of Bicycles
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-15
§ 31-19-15. Left turns.
(a) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall, unless he or she complies with the provisions of § 31-16-2, approach the turn in a position as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. The turn shall be made at a position as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed after turning.
(b) If the turn is made at a location where traffic movement is controlled by a police officer or by a traffic-control signal, the bicyclist may not proceed after crossing the intersecting roadway until a signal to proceed is given to traffic moving in the appropriate direction on the roadway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed. At all other locations, after turning and before crossing the roadway he or she is leaving, the bicyclist must yield the right-of-way to all traffic approaching on that roadway.
(c) The state highway commission and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic-control devices to be placed and require and direct that a specific course be traveled by turning bicycles, and when the devices are so placed, no person shall turn a bicycle other than as directed and required by the devices.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 58, § 2.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 31-19-15
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 31-19-15 cover?
Section 31-19-15 ("Operation of Bicycles") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 31-19-15?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 31-19-15" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 31-19-15 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.