In an accident involving a bicycle, the nonuse of a helmet by the operator or passenger is not admissible as evidence in a civil or criminal trial. Georgia requires that whenever a usable path has been provided adjacent to a roadway and designated for the exclusive use of bicycle riders, then the appropriate governing authority may require that bicycle riders use such path and not use those sections of the roadway as specified by such local governing authority. This law preempts local regulation of bicycles, except for local regulation of sidewalk riding as specifically provided in the law. Code tit. In addition, Arkansas provides for certain age-based restrictions, subject to an emergency exception: Sources: Ark. Georgia's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to all vehicles and therefore applies to bicyclists. Washington defines a "vulnerable user of a public way" as: Washington protects vulnerable users of a public way by providing for the offense of negligent driving in the second degree with a vulnerable user victim. Nevertheless bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated. Nevertheless bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated. Nevertheless bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated and a bicyclist may potentially be charged with a DUI because bicyclists are subject to the duties applicable to vehicles. Montana provides that operator of a motor vehicle may not: Montana has no helmet law. The child possesses a bicycle helmet; or. In addition, when a person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, pathway or crosswalk the bicyclist shall: Sources: Colo. Rev. The driver of the motor vehicle shall maintain the required separation until safely past the overtaken bicycle. Subsequent offenses shall result in neither a fine of not less than $400 nor more than $1,500 or be imprisoned not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days, or both. Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or. According to U.S. Department of Transportation survey data, half of all trips in the U.S. are three miles or less in length, a distance widely regarded as bikeable for most adults and even more feasible for electric bicycle riders. Rhode Island provides that its state traffic laws shall not be deemed to prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power, from regulating the operation of bicycles and requiring the registration and licensing of bicycles, including the requirement of a registration fee. Mississippi does not specifically provide for local authorities to regulate the operation of bicycles or require registration of bicycles, although such authorities may regulate the operation of bicycles through the exercise of their other legal powers. Source: Me. New York City Department of Transportation Bicycling resources: Transportation Alternatives Bicycling resources: New York Bicycling Coalition Bicycle Law resources: It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area while using a mobile telephone to: Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as a means of communicating with another person; or. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. Oklahoma provides that its state traffic laws shall be applicable and uniform throughout the state and that no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation in conflict with the state traffic laws, but may adopt additional traffic regulations. Code 23110; 670; 21200. Code Ann. In Georgia, bicycles are defined as vehicles. 61-1-101(90); 61-8-602. In Ohio bicycles are vehicles according to the statutes that define what a vehicle is. 189.292; 189.294. In addition, a motor vehicle operator may pass a bicycle traveling in the same direction in a non-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so. However, the New Jersey Drivers Manual does tell persons in motor vehicles to open doors in a safe manner and to check for cyclists and mopeds before opening doors: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/Driver%20Manual/Chapter_4.pdf. However, the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual advises motorists to check for oncoming traffic before opening a door on the drivers side of a vehicle, and that bicyclists may swerve to avoid opened doors: http://www.tn.gov/safety/dlhandbook/DL_Manual2011.pdf. nor shall any person ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in any area outside of the Central Business District if it is expressly prohibited by Order of the Mayor and appropriate signs to such effect are posted. In Kansas, bicycles are not defined as vehicles. In Louisiana and Pennsylvania, riders under 12 must wear a helmet. Stat. If there is only one lane for traffic proceeding in the same direction, pass to the left of the bicycle at a safe distance, which must be not less than 3 feet between any portion of the vehicle and the bicycle, and shall not move again to the right side of the highway until the vehicle is safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. This requirement does not apply to a driver operating a motor vehicle: Oregon requires that any person under the age of 16 riding a bicycle, as an operator or passenger, must wear a protective bicycle helmet. Sources: Ark. Gen. Laws. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Maryland are generally found in Title 21 of the Code of Maryland (Md. 60-339; 60-6,314. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand edge including, those caused by a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Colorado are generally found in the Colorado Revised Statutes (Colo. Rev. When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane; When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions; or. Veh. Tennessee currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions: Source: Tenn. Code Ann. A moped;9. Any city or town may require that be licensed and may charge reasonable fees for such licensing. No person under the age of 18 years shall operate a motor vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area while using a mobile telephone or any additional technology associated with a mobile telephone while the vehicle is in motion. When preparing for or making a left turn at an intersection or into a driveway; When necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, broken pavement, glass, sand, puddles, ice, or opening doors of parked vehicles. Virginia provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light if, and only if, the rider: Virginia provides that any locality may, by ordinance: The ordinance shall require the license plates, tags, or adhesive decals to be provided by and at the cost of the locality. However, a bicyclists using a sidewalk or crosswalk shall: A bicyclist operating on a crosswalk or sidewalk shall obey an official traffic control device applicable to a pedestrian unless otherwise directed by a police officer or other designated person. When the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, When traveling at the same speed as traffic, or. Idaho does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time. 13 02.400(g), Alaska requires that when a shoulder of the highway is maintained in good condition, an operator of a bicycle shall use the shoulder of the roadway. Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles compilation of Statutes & Regulations: Compilation of laws from 2003 by Alaska Department of Transportation: Local organization blog archive related to legislation/laws: Compilation of laws by Arctic Bicycle Club: If overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. Certain cities or other localities have ordinances that regulate the operation of a bicycle upon a sidewalk. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. The governing authority may be petitioned to remove restrictions upon demonstration that the path has become inadequate due to capacity, maintenance, or other causes. Arizona's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to vehicles and therefore does not directly apply to bicyclists. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, including a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane; When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized; and. NCSL works in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to bring you up to date, real-time information about traffic safety bills that have been introduced in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. North Dakota allows people biking to treat a stop sign as a yield sign if the stop sign is on a roadway with two or fewer lanes. Source: Wash. Rev. Direct link to Chapter 31-19 of the Rhode Island General Statutes: Rhode Island Department of Transportation Bike Lane law page: It is unlawful to harass, taunt, or maliciously throw an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle; and. Ohio has no helmet law. Stat. For more information on such plates please visit: http://pccsc.net/licenseplate.php. Rev. Mississippi does not define who is a "vulnerable road user," but has several statutes aimed at protecting bicyclists specifically. Electric scooter - a type of device with handlebars, a floorboard or a seat, and an electric motor that can be powered by the electric motor and/or human power. Kansas requires that no person open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. Source: Ariz. Rev. No helmet law. In addition, no person shall leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. There are currently no national standards for laws protecting vulnerable road users, but the League of American Bicyclists has drafted a Model Vulnerable Road User statute,which you can findhere. Code Ann., Transp. Right to the Road. Overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle unless the operator of the motor vehicle can do so safely without endangering the person riding the bicycle. tit. Kansas does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time. No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public road or highway of this state while using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication; No person who holds a Class "E" learner's license or intermediate license shall operate a motor vehicle on any public road or highway of this state while using any wireless telecommunications device to engage in a call, unless the wireless telecommunications device is a hands-free wireless telephone; and. Any person riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and shall travel at a speed no greater than the posted speed limit of the adjacent roadway; provided, that such speed is safe for the conditions then existing on the sidewalk. Rev. Iowa does not have a law that sets a specific distance for a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle. First offense shall result in a fine of not less than $150 nor more than $1,150. However, in no event shall the failure to wear a required helmet be used as evidence in a trial of any civil action; nor shall any jury in a civil action be instructed regarding violations of the law requiring helmets; nor shall failure to use a helmet be considered as contributory negligence. A bicycle, or a device that is an extension of a bicycle such as an extend-a-bike, a bicycle trailer, or a child's bicycle seat; 2. In all cases, the safe passing distance must not interfere with the safe operation of the bicycle. Oregon requires that a bicyclist, traveling at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following circumstances: Oregon requires that a driver of a motor vehicle yield the right of way to any bicyclist on a sidewalk. Montana requires that no person open a door of a motor vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so without interfering with the movement of other traffic. A bicyclist is not expected or required to ride: over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or. Ohio's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to all vehicles and therefore applies to bicyclists. The holder of an intermediate license may not operate a moving motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device unless the holder is using the device to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property. When overtaking and passing another roller skier, bicycle or other vehicle proceeding in the same direction; When preparing for or making a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; When proceeding straight in a place where right turns are permitted; and. Rev. Stat. Code), available here http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/. Bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated. Vehicles are prohibited on sidewalks, but in Arizona, bicycles are not defined as vehicles. Veh. Never ride against traffic - Motorists aren't looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. Delaware requires that no person open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. . Kentucky does not have a law that sets a specific distance for a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle. E-bikes may also come equipped with a throttle that allows the bike to be propelled without pedaling. Oregon's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to all vehicles and therefore applies to bicyclists. New Jersey Department of Transportation Compilation of laws: Safe Routes to Schools New Jersey Compilation of laws: It is a traffic violation for any holder of a provisional license to use a mobile communication device while driving a motor vehicle. A motor producing less than four gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission. In California the definition of vehicle does not include a bicycle, but bicyclists may be protected from thrown substances by being granted all the rights of a driver of a vehicle. 56-5-3445; 56-5-3230. tit. California, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia require the operator and all passengers of class three electric bicycles, regardless of age, to wear protective headgear. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. South Carolina, in conjunction with the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, offers Share the Road license plates. There are currently no national standards for laws protecting vulnerable road users, but the League of American Bicyclists has drafted a Model Vulnerable Road User statute, which you can find here. Persons less than eighteen years of age from using a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. 42-1-102(112); 42-4-1412. A person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction; A person operating a moving motor vehicle who, by means of an electronic wireless communications device, sends, reads, or writes a text message, is guilty of a traffic infraction; and. In Connecticut, bicycles fall within the definition of a motor vehicle. No law was found in West Virginiathat requires persons opening the door of a motor vehicle to do so in a reasonably safe manner that does not interfere with the movement of traffic. Source: Alaska Stat. When riding upon a one-way road or highway, a person may also ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as safely practicable. Nebraska requires that any bicyclist upon a roadway, traveling at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride as near to the right-hand curb or right-hand edge of the roadway as practicable except any of the following circumstances: Nebraska provides that a bicyclist riding a bicycle on a sidewalk or across a roadway or shoulder in a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. At least 75% of the funds generated by the plates must go to: For more information on such plates please visit: http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/specialtytags/miscellaneous/share_the_road.html. New Mexico does not have a law that sets a specific distance for a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle. You can't drive faster than 25 miles per hour. Connecticut Department of Transportation Share the Road Resources: List of Local Traffic Authorities in Connecticut: Compilation of Laws by Connecticut Department of Transportation: If on a roadway having at least 4 lanes with not less than 2 lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceeding with caution and making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the bicyclist, if possible; or. Maine does not provide any modifications to the requirement to come to a complete stop when directed to stop by traffic control devices and does not authorize bicyclists to disobey traffic lights that fail to detect bicyclists. Nevertheless bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated and a bicyclist may potentially be charged with a DUI because bicyclists are generally subject to the duties applicable to vehicles. bicycle with an electric motor is a motor vehicle and, if such a bicycle were used in the motorized mode, it could not be "operated on the highways of this state if unable to meet the requirements of 321.382." See 1980 Op. In Kentucky bicycles are vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles and a person riding a bicycle shall operate a bicycle in the same manner as a motor vehicle except in certain traffic conditions enumerated in Kentucky Administrative Regulation 14:020. When traveling at a lawful rate of speed commensurate with the speed of any nearby traffic; Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Laws page: No person may write a text message or uses two hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle; No person shall drive a motor vehicle while viewing a broadcast television image or a visual image from an image display device when the vehicle is in motion on a way; and. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Montana are generally found in Chapter 61 of the Montana Code Annotated (Mont. If the right-hand lane is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so. 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