In Corpus Christi, §53-15 is the city ordinance that offers protection for vulnerable road users. This specific ordinance lays out how motorists are supposed to interact with non-motorist on roadways within the city. It lays out how to pass one of these road users. The ordinance also lays out how much distance one should keep between themselves, and another. The ordinance allows for cyclists to use a bike lane, and only if there is one available. So as long there is no obstruction that would prevent the rider from operating their bicycle safely. The ordinance also suggests that pedestrians should sidewalks when possible. Violations of this ordinance is a misdemeanor. The full text of the city ordinance is below:
53-15. – Protection of vulnerable road users.
(a) In this section, a vulnerable road user means:
(1) a bicyclist;
(2) a pedestrian; or
(3) a person with a disability.
(b) An operator of a motor vehicle passing a vulnerable road user shall pass to the left of the vulnerable road user at a safe distance.
(c) An operator of a motor vehicle passing a vulnerable road user may not move back to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the passed vulnerable road user.
(d) An operator of a motor vehicle that passes a vulnerable road user at a distance of three (3) feet is presumed to have passed at a safe distance.
(e) An operator of a truck (as defined by the Texas Transportation Code) that passes a vulnerable road user at a distance of six (6) feet is presumed to have passed at a safe distance.
(f) A bicyclist shall use a bicycle lane when available and free of obstruction or debris that prevents the person from safely riding within the bicycle lane. This subsection does not apply to city-permitted organized events.
(g) A pedestrian shall use an adjacent sidewalk when available and accessible to the pedestrian. This subsection does not apply to city-permitted organized events.
(h) A person with a disability shall use an adjacent sidewalk when available and accessible to the person with a disability. This subsection does not apply to city-permitted organized events.
(i) The culpable mental state required by Section 6.02 of the Texas Penal Code is specifically negated and dispensed with and a violation of this section is a strict liability offense.
(j) A violation under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
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