Biking in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City’s Low-Stress Bike Network

We’ve partnered with Bike Streets to produce a map of Salt Lake City’s low-stress bike network. This isn’t your typical bike map—instead of simply showing what streets have bike lanes, this map incorporates local knowledge to recommend the best routes, using a combination of safe infrastructure, neighborhood streets, cut throughs, and improved intersection crossings. Even better, the map is integrated in the free Bike Streets app, allowing for mapping, navigation, and seamless updates. You can even suggest new routes and point out hazards or construction. Track your rides to contribute to SLC’s count of car trips replaced through biking, which we can use to advocate for more infrastructure. Give it a try today!

GET SLC'S LOW STRESS BIKE MAP

Salt Lake City Bicycle Laws

We recommend taking a look at Bike Utah’s overview of state bicycling laws in Utah. Notably, Utah has a stop-as-yield law, meaning cyclists can treat stop signs as yield signs. Practically, this means you can treat a stop controlled intersection as you otherwise would, but you don’t have to come to a complete stop unless necessary. Utah law also treats cyclists on the sidewalk as pedestrians. We don’t recommend extensive sidewalk riding, but this can be useful for short deviations to utilize marked crosswalks.

Additionally, each city has their own set of ordinances which can impose further restrictions on bicycles. Here are some laws specific to Salt Lake City. Visit the city website for more information.

Tips & Tricks

  • Relax! Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going, and no need to race, run a red light, or bring road rage onto your bicycle.

  • Be predictable—keep right, signal, and follow traffic control.

  • Keep your head on a swivel, especially at intersections and driveways. Always watch for left and right turning drivers.

  • Don’t assume a driver has seen you. Err on the side of slowing down or stopping if you’re not sure.

  • Always yield to pedestrians. If you’re on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk you are a guest in the space. Even if they walk in the bike lane, at least they’re rarely putting you in danger, unlike drivers!

  • Get a bike bell and use it when passing on multi-use paths.

  • Use marked crossings at unsignalized intersections. Make sure you enter the sidewalk first (to “become a pedestrian”), stop, and check that drivers have yielded. At some intersections, there are ramps built specifically for this purpose. If you prefer staying in the street, then you behave like a driver and wait for a clearing before crossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Salt Lake City has put in considerable effort to make its streets safer, but there’s still much to do. Biking for transportation can be intimidating to start, and we can’t say it’s without its risks. We recommend sticking to low-stress routes and remaining vigilant as you interact with drivers.

  • We highly recommend joining a casual group ride, such as Bike Club. Let them know you’re new to biking and they’re happy to help out, plus make a friend along the way! Check out our events page for more.

  • If you live in proximity of SLC’s bike share, GREENbike, it’s a great, affordable option to get started biking. If you’re looking for your own bike, check out the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective for affordable used bikes. Be aware of hills between your home and destination consider if you need a bike capable of going up steep hills.

  • It’s recommended to use at least a U shaped lock through your bike frame. If you have quick release wheels, it’s a great idea to use a supplemental cable to keep them secure. Make sure you lock to something that cannot be tampered with, such as one of the city’s inverted U shaped bike racks.

  • Avoid leaving your bike outside overnight. If storing in a shed, patio, or garage, make sure those are secure, and consider locking the bike to something just in case. In an apartment, bring your bike in if it’s feasible or use secure storage. Secure bike storage may be difficult in some apartments, some alternatives include using GREENbike bike share, using a folding bike, or using an older, less valuable bike so it’s less of a target.

  • A combination of a rear or front rack, straps, and backpacks or pannier bags can go a long way. Try taking smaller, more frequent trips to the grocery store and chain your trips with other errands to save time. Cargo and utility e-bikes can also help with Costco runs (they have bike racks!), but are a bigger investment. It might take some getting used to, but see what you can do by supporting your neighborhood grocer.

  • There are many options to consider. First, look for the route with the most gentle ascent. Second, use transit to your advantage. You can put your bike on the front of the bus or take it with you on TRAX. Then simply bike back down the hill. Third, you can consider an e-bike. They’re a good investment if you live or work on a hill or have a longer commute.

  • Yes! Many parents bike with their children. Some use cargo bikes with child seats, others use a variety of equipment specifically designed to safely carry a child on a regular bike. Your child will love getting out and experiencing our beautiful city!

  • Yes! While SLC does get a bit of snow in the winter, individual storms are usually small and much of the winter will have clear streets. Just be aware of snow and ice and avoid traveling during a storm just like you would as a driver (or take transit!) Salt Lake City regularly clears bike lanes during winter. They don’t always get 100% of the bike lanes clear, so pay close attention. You don’t need studded tires, but wider, knobby tires are very helpful while snow is around (at least hybrid tires).