6.1. Does a cyclist have the right of way if a cycle track crosses the road outside an intersection?
UAЧи має перевагу в русі велосипедист, якщо велосипедна доріжка перетинає дорогу поза перехрестям?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks the understanding of right of way and safe crossing of the carriageway when cycling infrastructure crosses a road outside of an intersection. Such places are often marked with warning signs and road markings, but the main idea of the traffic rules remains unchanged: on the carriageway, vehicles move faster, so the cyclist must act with maximum caution and not create danger.
In essence, this task is from the section of the traffic rules about cyclists’ movement, specifically the requirements of clause 6.5. This clause establishes the cyclist’s obligation to make sure it is safe before entering the carriageway and, when a cycle path crosses a road outside of an intersection, to give way to vehicles moving on that road. In the terminology of the traffic rules, this means that the cyclist does not have priority (right of way) and must yield to cars so as not to force them to change speed or direction.
The analysis of the answer options in the theoretical exam is logical: the statement about having priority is false because it contradicts the direct provision of clause 6.5, and the condition “if a car is approaching from the left” does not apply, since the “obstacle on the right/left” rule works for intersections, whereas here it is about crossing a road outside of an intersection (cycle crossing), where priority belongs to vehicles on the carriageway. In practice, this knowledge helps avoid typical accidents: the cyclist should reduce speed, stop if necessary, yield to traffic, and only then safely cross the road.
Clause 6.5
If a bicycle path crosses a road outside an intersection, cyclists are required to yield to other vehicles moving on the road. Cyclists must cross the carriageway at a bicycle crossing, and if there is none, in accordance with the requirements of these Rules. In places where traffic is regulated, cyclists must follow the signals of the traffic controller or traffic lights.
Clause 1.10 (term "Priority")
Priority — the right to move first in relation to other road users.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield")
Yield — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, not to make any maneuvers (except for the requirement to vacate the occupied lane), if this may force other road users who have priority to change direction or speed.
Clause 1.10 (term "Cyclist")
Cyclist — a person who rides a bicycle.
Clause 1.10 (term "Bicycle path")
Bicycle path — a paved path outside the carriageway of a street and/or road, located separately or adjacent to a sidewalk or pedestrian path, intended for cycling, and marked with road sign 4.14 and horizontal marking 1.36.
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road signs", 1 "Warning signs", sign 1.34 "Cyclist crossing"
Sign 1.34 "Cyclist crossing" is installed before a section of road where cyclists may appear, or at the place where a bicycle path crosses the road outside an intersection. The sign is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150–300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50–100 m before the start of the dangerous section. If necessary, the sign may also be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 "Distance to the object".
Clause 33.4 — 33 "Road signs", 4 "Mandatory signs", sign 4.14 "Bicycle path"
Sign 4.14 "Bicycle path" allows movement only by bicycle. If there is no sidewalk or pedestrian path, pedestrians are also allowed to use it.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No, does not have priority.", considering that according to the definition in Clause 6.5 of the Traffic Rules, when crossing the road outside an intersection, a cyclist is required to "yield" to vehicles moving on the road, and therefore does not have "priority".
When a bicycle path crosses a road outside an intersection, a situation arises in which the cyclist is essentially entering the roadway. The roadway is intended for vehicles, which usually move faster, so the rules require the cyclist to act cautiously and not create obstacles.
Clause 6.5 of the Traffic Rules directly establishes the obligation for the cyclist, before entering the roadway, to make sure that crossing will be safe and to yield to vehicles moving on that road. That is, the cyclist cannot continue moving in such a way that would force a driver on the roadway to change speed or direction.
In practice, it looks like this: the cyclist is moving along the bicycle path and approaches the place where it crosses the road. Even if there is a warning sign for drivers about the possible presence of cyclists or road markings, this is only a warning about a dangerous section and a call for attentiveness. Such a sign does not grant the cyclist the right of priority passage. Therefore, the cyclist must stop or reduce speed and yield to vehicles moving on the road, and only after that cross the roadway.
Thus, the correct answer is "Does not have.", since when crossing a road outside an intersection, the cyclist is required to yield to vehicles on the roadway and cross only after making sure it is safe.