However two statutes, when taken together provide for the following: A driver of a non-motorized vehicle traveling upon a vehicular way or area shall, regardless of whether an official traffic-control device is present, slow to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety, stop. A motorized bicycle is classed as a Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. Bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated and operating a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances may result in severe punishments. 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. Minnesota does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. In Massachusetts bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks outside business districts when necessary in the interest of safety, unless otherwise directed by local ordinance. 1. These include: Massachusetts currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions: Source: Mass. Rhode Island has a vulnerable road user law. The operator of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. Nebraska's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to motor vehicles and therefore does not directly apply to bicyclists. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, a bicyclist on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk. Wyoming 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. "Infliction of Serious Bodily Injury to a Vulnerable Road User" is a class 1 traffic misdemeanor. Source: Alaska Admin. When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions. A person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, shared-use path, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the same circumstances. Indiana, in conjunction with Bicycle Indiana, offers Share the Road license plates. Source: Tex. Maryland defines a "vulnerable individual" as: According to Maryland law, an individual may not cause the serious physical injury or death of a vulnerable individual as a result of the individual operating a motor vehicle in violation of traffic laws. Michigan requires that the driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance of at least 3 feet to the left of that bicycle, or if it is impracticable to pass the bicycle at a distance of 3 feet to the left, at a safe distance to the left of that bicycle at a safe speed. Illinois requires that the operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. However, at least one court case has found the nonuse of a helmet not admissible. Priority is given to existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals for which complaints relating to bicycle detection have been received or otherwise identified as having a detection problem. (a) A motorized bicycle may be operated under either a driver's license or a motorized bicycle permit issued under section 171.02, subdivision 3. If you are interested in bicycling education videos, check out our Smart Cycling videos. The Alabama Bicycling Coalition has a compilation of laws relevant to bicycles which provides direct links to the Alabama Code and is more comprehensive than this page, it is available here: http://www.alabike.org/code.html, Alaska does not have a law that sets a specific distance for a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle. In Arizona, bicycles are not defined as vehicles. Hawaii requires that the driver of a vehicle passing or overtaking a bicyclists proceeding in the same direction shall allow at least three feet of separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including all mirrors or other protuberances, and the left side of the bicyclist, and shall not drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. Code Ann. Are electric bicycles street legal? Richmond, Va., will be unveiling an electric bicycle sharing system soon. (b) A violation of this subsection is a nonmoving violation, punishable as provided in s. 318.18. The net proceeds of the program are used by the Fairhope Cycling Project to promote, educate, and help make the communities of Alabama bicycle and pedestrian friendly.Source: COA 32-6-64, Alabama does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. No operator of a motor vehicle shall use a mobile telephone, or any handheld device capable of accessing the internet, to manually compose, send or read an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle; No person under 18 years of age shall use a mobile telephone, hands-free mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on any public way; and. Riding a bike is a healthy, fun and safe activity. 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. Code Ann., Transp. Source: Okla. Stat. You can see the design here. In addition, Arkansas's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to anyone in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and therefore does not directly apply to bicyclists. Have his or her driving privileges suspended for ninety days. When avoiding 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 vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. If reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals or surface hazards. ), available here http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/. On roads where the speed limit is 25 MPH or less, two mopeds may operate side-by-side if both riders agree. These circumstances are: In each case the motorist must maintain at least a three foot distance between the side of their vehicle facing the bicyclist, including all mirrors or other projections, and the bicyclist being overtaken. Utah requires that a person operating a bicycle, at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway except when: Utah allows bicycles to operate on sidewalks subject to the following rules: Source: Utah Code Ann. In New Hampshire bicycles are vehicles and this prohibition applies to bicycles. Source: 625 Ill. Comp. Recent changes to Georgia laws maintained by Atlanta Bicycle Coalition: A pedestrian legally within a street or public highway; A roadway worker actually engaged in work upon a street or public highway or in work upon utility facilities along a street or public highway, or engaged in the provision of emergency services within a street or public highway, including but not limited to: Construction and maintenance workers; and, Police, fire, and other emergency responders; or. The legislation listed below includes key 2022 enactments related to the 911 system, such as administration, fees and funding, 911 telecommunicator reclassification and Next Generation 911. Pennsylvania currently has the following law aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions: Pennsylvania requires that a bicyclist, traveling at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except: Pennsylvania allows bicycles to operate on sidewalks subject to the following rules: Pennsylvania does not require that bicyclists use any lane or path other than a normal vehicular traffic lane. Source: 625 Ill. Comp. Washington requires that every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway, at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe except as may be appropriate while: In addition, a person operating a bicycle upon a roadway which carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. 12-610.1; 12-610.2; 12-813.1; Public Act 097-0829. New Jersey law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to motor vehicles and therefore does not directly apply to bicyclists. Maryland requires that no person open the door of a motor vehicle on any side available to moving traffic unless: it is reasonably safe to do so; and it can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. Stat. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle with a television or video screen capable of displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, if the monitor or screen is intended to display images visible to the driver in a normal position when the vehicle is in motion. In North Dakota, bicycles are defined as vehicles for some purposes including North Dakota's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances. Operates a motor vehicle within three feet of a vulnerable user of a highway; Distracts or attempts to distract a vulnerable user of a highway for the purpose of causing violence or injury to the vulnerable user of a highway; or. A moped;9. Sources: Colo. Rev. There shall be no prohibition against any person riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the District, so long as the rider does not create a hazard; provided. Yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction. Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. 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. preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roadway or driveway; approaching an intersection with a right-turn lane if not turning right at the intersection; taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions. The League is a 501(c)(3) organization. If the lane of travel is not wide enough to allow the overtaking motor vehicle to pass in the manner required in this section while in the same lane as the overtaken vehicle, the overtaking vehicle shall change lanes. A bicyclist may, but is not required to, ride on the shoulder of the roadway; A bicyclist may ride in a lane other than the right-hand lane if only one lane is available that permits the bicyclist to continue on his intended route; and. South Carolina does not explicitly address the distance to be maintained by motorists while passing a bicycle, but requires that a driver of a motor vehicle must at all times maintain a safe operating distance between the motor vehicle and a bicycle. Wyoming requires that no person open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. 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. The location and description of the bicycle shall be published at least once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the locality. In addition, no person may leave a door of a vehicle open on the side of moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. Kentucky requires that the operator of any vehicle moving slowly upon a highway must keep his vehicle as closely as practicable to the right-hand boundary of the highway, allowing more swiftly moving vehicles reasonably free passage to the left. A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane when: A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to: Colorado provides that no person shall drive any vehicle other than a bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, or any other human-powered vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway. Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Utah require helmets for those under age 18 operating or riding on a class three e-bike. Source: Fla. Stat. This primer deals specifically with low-speed electric bicycles as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. New Jerseys two-tiered classification system exempts low-speed e-bikes, which have a maximum operating speed of 20 MPH, from registration, licensure and insurance requirements. In Hawaii bicycles are vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles and a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle as provided in Chapter 291C of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. In addition, no person shall leave a door open on the side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. 186.164; 601 KAR 14:030. There is an opportunity to update North Dakota's electric bicycle law, consistent with state laws recently passed in 28 states, including neighboring South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The following presumptions apply based on a person's blood alcohol concentration: Kentucky provides that a bicyclist operating on a highway or highway shoulder may proceed after stopping and if safe against a red light if a traffic signal fails to detect the bicycle. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Nebraska are generally found in Chapter 60 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes (Neb. In Arkansas bicycles are not vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles, but a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle. 31-5-102(a)(lviii); 31-5-702. Florida defines a vulnerable road user as: Florida protects vulnerable road users by providing that a driver who is convicted of a hit and run: Florida currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions: Florida requires that a bicyclist, traveling at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride as close as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway except under any of the following circumstances: Florida allows bicycles to operate on sidewalks subject to the following rules: Florida requires that any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use if a lane is marked for bicycle use. Source: Ariz. Rev. There is a long list of bicycle laws in Nevada that you must consider if you're an avid cyclist who spends a lot of time on the road. 2. 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