Cycling safety in Tennessee

Crash data

11 cyclist fatalities in 2023 .

In 2023, 11 bicyclists (pedalcyclists) were killed in Tennessee motor-vehicle traffic crashes, per NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) as published in NHTSA's 'Bicyclists and Other Cyclists: 2023 Data' report, Table 6. That is 0.8% of the state's 1,323 total traffic fatalities (tied with New Hampshire for the lowest such share nationally) and a population-based rate of 0.15 per 100,000. A clean statewide bicyclist serious-injury total was not confirmed from an official source here, so cyclistInjuries is left null rather than estimated. Note: IIHS reports a more recent figure of 9 Tennessee bicyclist deaths in 2024, but the FARS 2023 figure is used above as the most authoritative finalized annual count.

Official reports & data:

Cycling rules in Tennessee

Helmets: All bicycle operators and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet on any highway, street or sidewalk (TCA 55-52-105). In addition, every operator and passenger on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a properly fitted, fastened helmet regardless of age. (source)
Passing distance: A driver overtaking a bicycle going the same direction must leave a safe distance of at least three feet and maintain it until safely past (TCA 55-8-175). This is part of the 'Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007'; a violation is a Class C misdemeanor. (source)
Direction of travel / where to ride: A cyclist moving slower than the normal speed of traffic must ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when passing, preparing to turn left, avoiding hazards, or in a lane too narrow to share (TCA 55-8-175(a)). Cyclists ride with traffic, not against it. (source)
Riding two abreast: Cyclists on a roadway may ride no more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, and must not impede normal traffic (TCA 55-8-175(b)). (source)
Lights & reflectors at night: When ridden at night a bicycle must have a front lamp emitting a white light visible from at least 500 feet, plus a red rear reflector (or a red rear lamp) visible to approaching traffic (TCA 55-8-177). (source)
Sidewalk riding: Tennessee has no single statewide rule for regular bicycles on sidewalks — it is governed by local city/county ordinance, so check locally. By statute, e-bikes may not be operated on a sidewalk unless a local resolution or ordinance authorizes it (TCA 55-8-306). (source)
E-bikes: Tennessee uses the standard 3-class system (TCA 55-8-301 et seq): Class 1 (pedal-assist, motor cuts off at 20 mph) and Class 2 (throttle, cuts off at 20 mph) may go anywhere bikes are allowed; Class 3 (pedal-assist to 28 mph) requires a helmet for all riders and is generally kept off paths/trails unless the local jurisdiction allows it. E-bikes are limited to a motor under 750 watts. (source)
Stop-as-yield (Idaho stop): Tennessee does NOT have a stop-as-yield / 'Idaho stop' law. Cyclists must obey stop signs and traffic signals and come to a full stop like other vehicle operators. (source)
Riding under the influence: Tennessee's DUI statute (TCA 55-10-401) applies to motor vehicles, and an ordinary pedal bicycle is generally not treated as a motor vehicle, so a standard DUI charge typically does not attach to bicycle riders — but this is a gray area and impaired cyclists can still face public-intoxication or reckless-conduct charges. Riding impaired is strongly discouraged; confirm current local interpretation. (source)

Cities and counties often add their own rules (for example, where you can ride on sidewalks or boardwalks). Check the local ordinance for the specific town you're visiting.

Resources

Bike-friendly destinations in Tennessee

Ride these with the rules above in mind:

In an emergency in the U.S., call 911. Read our general bike safety guide →