Welcome to our series, Rules of the Road with Popham Law! For the next few months, attorney Paul Anderson will answer common questions about bicyclists' rights and responsibilities. Check back for a new question and answer each month!
Q: Are bikes treated like cars or pedestrians?
A: As a cyclist, you have the same rights and duties as drivers of vehicles: you’re allowed to be on the road, you ride with traffic, and you must follow the rules of the road, including stop signs, red lights, and yielding when required. Drivers have to respect your right to use the road and pass only when it’s safe. In some places, riding on sidewalks is limited or banned, especially in busy business areas, so the street is usually where you belong. When you walk your bike in a crosswalk, you’re a pedestrian; when you’re riding, you’re a vehicle operator. Use your common sense, be predictable, and ride like you expect others to drive around you. Keep your head on a swivel!
Q: Do I have to stop at red lights, and how long do I have to wait?
A: Yes. In both Kansas and Missouri, bikes generally have the same rights and duties as cars, so you must stop at red lights. Both states have a “dead red” rule for bikes: if you’ve fully stopped and the light clearly isn’t changing because it won’t detect your bike, you can treat it like a stop sign. In Kansas, you may go after a “reasonable period of time” if it’s safe and you yield to traffic and people in the crosswalk. Missouri gives you an “affirmative defense” if you go only after a full stop, an unreasonably long red, and a malfunctioning or non-detecting signal, and you still have to yield. The best rule of thumb is to be patient at red lights and wait your turn.
Paul Anderson is a trial lawyer at Popham Injury Law in Kansas City, where his practice focuses on representing people injured by dangerous drivers and unsafe road conditions. As an avid cyclist himself, Paul has successfully represented numerous cyclists and pedestrians harmed in motor-vehicle crashes, giving him a deep understanding of both the legal issues and the real-world challenges vulnerable road users face. He is committed to educating cyclists, drivers, and the broader community about safety, insurance, and accountability so that preventable injuries and deaths never occur in the first place. Popham Injury Law is a team of dedicated trial lawyers who represent injured victims, on a contingency-fee basis, in Kansas City and across the country, fighting to ensure they receive full and fair compensation.
Many thanks to Paul Anderson and Popham Law for sponsoring our spring 2026 adult bike education series!