Who has the right of way when a motor vehicle is turning into a parking lot while a bicyclist is riding down the sidewalk?

This was my situation today. I had seen a guy talking on his cell phone while riding a bicycle riding down the sidewalk facing traffic as I passed him several yards before where I was going to turn left into a parking lot. I had to wait for a couple of cars to pass by going the opposite direction and began my turn and I saw him approaching with my peripheral vision to the left. I look back toward the oncoming traffic to see how far they were (probably a city block away) and look back to see if the guy on the bike was going to stop since I was in mid-turn. He did and I proceeded on into the lot. Of course, I heard him either yell at me or fuss into his phone about me, the jerk motor vehicle driver , who he had to stop for or run the risk of getting hit. I would have likely stopped and taken the impact of the other vehicle on the passenger side (I was by myself) instead of hitting the guy on the bike since I had more protection inside my vehicle than he did.

For awhile I blew it off and the guy kept on going down the side walk. But the more I have thought about it, the more irritated I am with the whole situation.

I have always been taught that if bicycles are on the road that you have to share the road and they are supposed to obey the traffic laws the same as a motor vehicle. I, also, realize there are lots of folks on here that don't like bicyclists on the road, and that is not the debate I want to have here as I can see both perspectives on that subject. But, it occurred to me that I have no idea what the proper protocol is for a bicycle on a sidewalk.

I am (was) an avid cyclist and even commuted to work by bike for years. That is how I understand the law. Although I had a cop tell me cyclist have the right way. The reality is cars are a tad heavier than a bike and after being hit by a car, and hit in the head with a beer bottle (Pensacola bay bridge) I learned to have my head on a swivel.

Law of tonnage applies.

If bicycles are supposed to follow the same rules as other vehicles then he shouldn't be on the side walk.

I agree.

That was pretty much my thought on the matter, except that if it had been a pedestrian, then he/she would have had the right of way (I think).

I looked up some of the Alabama bicycle laws last weekend. These are the things the Alabama Bicycle Coalition recommends to riders. Good for drivers to know these:

http://www.alabike.org/images/ALCode_AlaBike_2010.pdf


As for the guy on the sidewalk, he could make the claim that the sidewalk falls under Section 32-5A-263 part C as a "usuable path adjacent to a roadway." Who has the right-of-way in that scenario is up for debate although I'd agree that the rule of tonnage probably should take precedence.

Also, if he yelled at you for turning then he's an asshole.

They need to be taxed heavily.

Only a dumbass tries to take right of way when they meet a car.
Being DEAD while right is no advantage. I think the law of bicycles going the same direction as the traffic is idiotic. When I was a kid it was the opposite. It makes more sense to me to be looking at on coming traffic rather than have them coming from your rear. I'll never understand this law. This way the cyclist has no idea if the car is close to the center line or too far to the right. Obviously the cell phone was a factor too. Glad you came out OK Huntress.

Fortunately I had time to stop mid-turn and assess the whole situation and see if the dufus was going to stop or not so I didn't run over him before the other car got close enough to be a concern.

Regardless of the law, you hit a biker and you will lose in court, public opinion and civil court.

I know lots of bikers and they band together. They think they own the road and I wouldn't mind seeing it outlawed on public roads.

That is a tough one. First off, most municipalities have ordinances against bicycles being on the sidewalk. Even though he wasn't supposed to be there, if he was going straight, he had the right of way. So if I had to approve the report had you hit him, you would be the prime contributing unit with the prime contributing cause being failure to yield right of way. He would also be listed as the secondary contributing unit though for improper pedicycle action (or however they word it, I forget) and the insurance company would have to deal with it. If he sued you, contributory negligence would come into play.

Bicycles are supposed to stay off sidewalks and stay on the road, same as a car. We are supposed to abide by the same laws as vehicles. The reason bikes go in the same direction is because we have the same rules as a vehicle which means we ride in the same direction. If we had to constantly see cars coming at us we would dodge oncoming cars constantly. Turns into a game for operators of vehicles.
As far as taxes, check the numbers and see how much of your tag taxes go toward paying for highways. I pay for tags for 6 vehicles and 2 trailers. I'm going to say my bike doesn't tear up the asphalt near as much as vehicles and also is cleaner for the air than vehicles (except on Mexican dinner night)

No, if you abided by the same laws as vehicles you would have a tag, headlights, brake lights, directional lights, horn, insurance and would be required to maintain at least 35 MPH speed. I'm glad you buy tags for 6 vehicles and 2 trailers, you are suppose to.

Why can't ATVs use the road that a bicycle can. At least an ATV can maintain a speed that a bicycle can't and are easier to see.personally I hate bicycles on the roadway

bicycles should not allowed on highways or sidewalks, highways are designed and built for automobiles by tax money paid on gasoline,and are designed and built for automobiles. side walks are designed and built for people to " walk on thus the name "SIDEWALK" bicycles should not be allowed on either.

Yesssss!!! My thoughts exactly

I 100 % agree because most of them are assholes and will not get out of the way, they will have 20 cars stacked up behind them and just will not get out of the way.......

So where are bicycle riders supposed to ride if not on the roads or sidewalk?

Trails or bike Lanes. It's recreational for 99% not a necessity.