CYCLING LAW
KNOW THE LAW

The application of traffic Laws to the use of bicycles is not well understood by the general public, by city and state officials, or even by officers entrusted to enforce those laws.  The provision that
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
References:

Most State and Municipal Codes for bicycle use are based on the Federal Uniform Vehicle Code - Article XII. Operation of Bicycles, Other Human-Powered Vehicles, and Mopeds
Laws detailed on this Web Site and associated links are provided FYI only.  If you have a legal issue ALWAYS contact a competent attorney-at-law.
Buy Bicycling & the Law by Bob Mionske,a nationally known cycling lawyer with a practice exclusively focused on representing cyclists. This is the first book written for cyclists on their legal rights and responsibilities since 1895. Bob represented the U.S. in the 1988 & 1992 Olympics as a pro cyclist.
Want to read a lot of interesting articles related to bicycling and the law?  Chack out this link to Swanson Thomas & Coon, attorneys at law.
is often ignored or abused by all parties, with the cyclists usually being the looser in any confrontation with motorists or the police..
BICYCLE TRAVEL IS ONE OF SAFEST FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION, BUT

BIKES BELONG ON THE STREET

Although riding a bicycling on sidewalks is legal, it is not recommended except for young children. Many people assume riding on sidewalks is safer than on the road, but statistics show that to be a dangerous misconception.

Ride in the direction of traffic, NEVER against it

When at an intersection or a driveway motorists are looking in the direction of traffic, they don't expect bicyclists on a sidewalk or in the opposite direction of traffic.
Obey Stop Signs and Traffic Signals

Tennessee does not yet have the Idaho Law that allows bikes to yield at stop signs.  Cyclists in Tennessee are expected to halt forward momentum at all stop signs.  Dismounting or putting-a-foot-down is not required. 

At some signalized intersections, an electrical circuit with loops embedded in the pavement is used to detect vehicles waiting for a green light. Some sensors are not sensitive enough to detect a bicycle. A new state law makes it legal for motorcycles to proceed through a red light if the sensor does not detect them, but the law does not include bicycles.

Aggressive Driving/Harassment

A few motorists verbally threaten bicyclists, or even throw objects at them.  Such actions violate State law TCA 55-8-178(e)
Always Report the Incident to the Police

If you are physically threatened by a driver or passen-ger’s actions, note the license plate number and a description of the vehicle and the harasser, and call the appropriate law enforcement agency as soon as possible (also report incident to FOGBEES). 

If you choose to file charges, you (not the police) will have to have sufficient evidence to prove your allegations in court.
Assault

A person commits assault who: (1) Intentionally, know-ingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; (2) intentionally or knowingly causes another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or (3) intentionally or know-ingly causes physical contact with another and a reason-able person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative.

If the driver or passenger assaults you with an object, that would be simple assault.  TCA. § 39-13-101.
If they use the vehicle to try to run you off the road or hit you, that is considered aggravated assault because the vehicle is a weapon. TCA § 39-13-102