Links to the various laws that apply to bicycles can be found on-line at
http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm ... those who get the RoadBikeRider e-mail newsletter probably saw this in last week's edition.

Arkansas state law that specifically mentions bicycles is fairly sparse and simple... in fact, the definition of "vehicle" appears in a section title "Motor Traffic Law" and thus only covers motor vehicles; but then there's the aforementioned phrase at Section 27-49-111 that extends the same rights and responsibilities of motor vehicles to cyclists and drivers of animal-powered wagons, etc. We're still responsible for complying with the motor trafic code, the major difference being that there's a universal ban for cyclists (and animal-drawn wagons) on the freeways and controlled-access highways.

Be sure to check your city ordinances, too. Arkansas law is silent on the issue of riding on the sidewalk; so you may legally ride your bike (or drive your car, for that matter) on sidewalks here except where a city ordinance restricts it. Little Rock is the only city that requires a bell in order to be street legal, and as shown in a certain YouTube video awhile back, you certainly don't want to ride your bike or your skateboard on the sidewalks in Hot Springs. You can't ride in the parking lots in Hot Springs, either. So check both your state law and your city ordinances in order to "hold your line" in riding legally.

You can't get a DWI or DUI cititation here on a bicycle, since our DWI statutes only apply to the operation of "motor vehicles." (They can get you, if they're determined however, the same as a ped for "public intoxication.") So, if you go bar-hopping down here, leave the car at home and bring your bike ;-)

Arkansas has no bike helmet law or requirement, for riders of any age :-(

The one state law I break (besides rolling stop signs at 8-10mph on my bike if there is no auto traffic in sight...sorry...but if there are cars, people, other bikes, I stop)
Motorists make as many or more of these "California stops" as cyclists do, but we seem to be noticed more often, and the consequences can be much greater, since you have only a little bit of lycra as protection when you get hit. And if you keep running stop signs or red lights, you're gonna get hit. It's just a matter of time and statistics...

I have gotten a ticket for speeding on my bike though... At Fort Gordon, GA in the fall of 2002 for riding 17 mph in a 5 mph zone during PT hours. MPs seem to be the one clas of cop that take this "bicycle = vehicle" concept halfway seriously.

Tom