Mark Casto | August 6, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus, Georgia
Bike lanes are a crucial part of the road system in many cities throughout Georgia. They help protect cyclists by giving them a designated space to ride safely. However, they also introduce questions for drivers, especially when making turns.
Many drivers wonder: Can cars go into the bike lane to make a turn? The answer is generally yes, but only under specific conditions and with caution. Let’s explore Georgia’s traffic laws, how drivers should interact with bike lanes, and how to keep everyone on the road safe.
Georgia Law: Turning Across or into a Bike Lane
Under Georgia law, vehicles are permitted to enter a bike lane only when turning and yield the right-of-way to bicyclists in a designated bike lane. The bike lane should not be used as a travel lane, a shortcut to avoid traffic, or for parking. It’s reserved primarily for cyclists, and violating that space can result in a traffic citation or, worse, a serious accident.
How to Safely Turn Through a Bike Lane
Turning through a bike lane requires more than simply using your signal. It demands active awareness of your surroundings and an understanding of cyclist behavior.
Here are a few tips for drivers navigating turns near or across bike lanes:
- Always check your mirrors and blind spots. Cyclists can move faster than expected, especially downhill, so ensure no one is approaching before merging into the lane.
- Signal early and clearly. Let cyclists and other drivers know your intent well in advance.
- Merge into the bike lane only when it’s safe. Don’t cut off a cyclist or force them to brake suddenly.
- Yield to cyclists. If a biker is already in the bike lane as you prepare to turn, wait until they pass before proceeding.
Treat the bike lane with the same respect you would give another traffic lane, because that’s exactly what it is for cyclists.
Common Causes of Bike-Car Crashes
Understanding the common causes of collisions between cars and bicycles can help both drivers and cyclists take steps to prevent them.
Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Right hook collisions: A driver turns right across a bike lane without noticing a cyclist approaching from behind.
- Dooring accidents: A parked driver opens their car door into the path of a cyclist.
- Left cross collisions: A driver turning left fails to see an oncoming cyclist in the opposite lane.
- Unsafe merging or lane changes: Drivers who merge into bike lanes abruptly or without checking.
Most of these accidents occur when drivers fail to recognize cyclists or misjudge their speed. Being vigilant and understanding that cyclists have the same rights to the road as motor vehicles is key to reducing these risks.
General Tips for Sharing the Road with Cyclists
Here are some practical ways to share the road safely:
- Give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist, as required by Georgia’s “Three Feet Law.”
- Don’t honk unnecessarily. Sudden loud noises can startle cyclists and cause them to swerve.
Be patient. Cyclists may need to occupy a full lane for safety reasons, especially if the road is narrow or debris is present in the bike lane. - Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is dangerous around any road user, but it can be particularly deadly for vulnerable ones like cyclists.
Remember, cyclists are much more exposed in a crash, so your attentiveness can be life-saving.
Contact Our Columbus Car Accident Attorneys at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you know has been involved in a bike-car accident in Georgia, it may be worth speaking with a personal injury attorney who understands traffic laws and cyclist rights. Call our Columbus car accident attorneys at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation about your case.
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus personal injury lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
