State has a Far Right as Practicable Requirement

Arkansas has no bicycle-specific "ride as far right as practicable" statute. Bicyclists take on the general rights and duties of any vehicle driver, which under § 27-51-301 means staying off the left half of the roadway except when passing, avoiding an obstruction, or similar — a materially less restrictive standard than the close-to-the-curb rule most other states impose on slower traffic. Arkansas does not otherwise restrict where in a lane or roadway a cyclist may ride.

Allows Two Abreast Riding

Arkansas has no statute capping or expressly permitting riding two abreast; since nothing in the current code restricts bicycle lane position or group riding, cyclists may ride two abreast (or otherwise share a lane) without a specific numeric limit.

Single File is Required

Arkansas imposes no requirement that cyclists ride single file.

Has a Safe Passing Law

Arkansas requires drivers overtaking a bicycle to pass at a distance of at least three feet, with no roadway-type or speed-limit conditions attached — unlike some neighboring states, this rule applies unconditionally. Violations carry a fine of up to $100, rising to $1,000 if the violation causes death or serious injury.

Helmets are required on the road

Arkansas has no statewide helmet requirement for ordinary bicycles. The only statutory helmet mandate is narrow: riders and passengers under age 21 on a Class 3 electric bicycle specifically must wear a helmet. Local ordinances may impose additional requirements.

If Bike Lanes are present, they are required ( except when unsafe )

Arkansas does not require a bicyclist to use an adjacent bicycle lane or path when one is present; a cyclist may lawfully use the roadway instead.

Riders may use the sidewalks

Arkansas law does not directly address whether bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks; the only related statute governs crosswalk crossings (yield to pedestrians, signal before passing) rather than sidewalk travel generally. Sidewalk riding is left to local ordinance.

Does the Impeding Statute Apply to Bikes

Arkansas's impeding-traffic statute applies by its own terms to a "motor vehicle," and an ordinary bicycle is not a motor vehicle, so the rule does not clearly reach bicyclists riding at normal bicycle speeds. No bicycle-specific impeding provision was found, making applicability situational at best.

Whether cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs (the "Idaho stop").

Arkansas has adopted a full "Idaho stop" law for stop signs: a cyclist must slow down and yield, and need only come to a complete stop if a stop is necessary to avoid an immediate hazard — otherwise the cyclist may treat the stop sign as a yield sign and proceed with caution. Red traffic lights are treated differently: § 27-51-1803(b) requires a cyclist to come to a complete stop at a steady red light first, and only then may proceed through with caution once it is safe (subject to a same-direction right-turn-on-red exception without stopping).

Restrictions exist on e-bikes and usage

Arkansas recognizes Class 1, 2, and 3 electric bicycles. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes may generally use bicycle and multi-use paths unless a local authority prohibits it; Class 3 e-bikes are barred from such paths unless the path is within or adjacent to a roadway, or a local authority specifically allows it. Class 3 e-bikes additionally require a minimum operator age of 16, a helmet for all riders and passengers under 21, and an onboard speedometer.

Allows the concept of Contributory Negligence that allows any contributory fault resuls in 'no fault'

Arkansas does not follow contributory negligence. It applies modified comparative fault (the "49 percent rule"): an injured cyclist may recover damages reduced by their own percentage of fault, as long as that fault is less than the combined fault of the party or parties they are suing; if their fault is equal to or greater, they recover nothing.