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. Cent. North Dakota prohibits any person from driving any vehicle, including a bicycle, upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway. West Virginia does not have a statute that specifically authorizes or prohibits the operation of a bicycle upon a sidewalk. In addition there are the following specific restrictions: Sources: Cal. A horse-drawn carriage;10. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Pennsylvania are generally found in Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Pa. Cons. In Massachusetts bicycles are not vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles, but a person riding a bicycle upon a way has the right to use all public ways except where prohibited by sign, and shall be subject to the traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and the special regulations contained section 11B of Chapter 85 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Source: LB716 signed by Governor on April 20, 2016. To see current specialty plates please visit: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=811&q=276580. If it is safe to do so, the driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceed in the same direction may overtake and pass the bicycle in a no-passing zone. Colorado Department of Transportation Bike-Ped Manual: A person using a skateboard, roller skates or in-line skates. In Virginia bicycles are vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles and a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of a driver of a vehicle, unless the context of a provision clearly indicates otherwise. Regs. Kansas'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. The overtaking of a bicycle by a motor vehicle, or vice versa, is governed by general traffic laws and, in most circumstances, such overtaking must be done to the left at a safe distance.Source: Alaska Admin. Hawaii provides that its state traffic laws shall not be deemed to prevent counties with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction from regulating the operation and equipment of and requiring the registration and inspection of bicycles, including the requirement of a registration fee. West Virginia 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. In addition, a governing body of a municipality may restrain or prohibit the firing of firecrackers or guns, the use of a bicycle or similar conveyance, the use of a firework or similar material, or any other amusement or practice tending to annoy persons passing on a street or sidewalk. No person shall operate a vehicle while wearing a headset, headphone, or other listening device, other than a hearing aid or instrument for the improvement of defective human hearing. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. Any local authority may also enact by ordinance regulations requiring the registration and licensing of bicycles. Sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. Use a cellular telephone or other handheld wireless communications device to engage in voice communications with another person, unless using a hands-free device, other than to activate, deactivate or initiate a feature or function on the device. ), available here: http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html. 13 02.495(d). 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. Reasons for purchasing an e-bike vary, with some looking for a cheap commuting mode and others looking for a less physically demanding bicycle option or help bicycling through hilly areas. 29-A 2068(4) & (5). 541.201(23); 551.101. Regulate and license the riding of bicycles and other similar vehicles upon or along the streets, alleys, highways, or other public grounds within its limits; Construct and maintain bicycle paths or roadways within or outside of and beyond its limits leading to or from the city or town; Establish and collect reasonable license fees from all persons riding a bicycle or other similar vehicle within its respective corporate limits; and. 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. New Hampshire Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program: Central New Hampshire Bicycling Coalition Compilation of laws: Hanover Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Compilation of laws: The use of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device by an operator of a moving motor vehicle on a public road or highway shall be unlawful except when the telephone is a hands-free wireless telephone or the electronic communication device is used hands-free; It shall be unlawful for the driver of a school bus to use a cellular or other wireless telephone while operating the school bus; The holder of the special learner's permit shall not use any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device; The holder of the probationary license shall not use any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device; and. Veh. 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. Failure to wear a helmet shall not be admissible as evidence in the trial of any civil action, nor in any way diminish or reduce the damages recoverable in such action. For more information on such plates please visit: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/spshareroad.html. The bicycle must be returned without payment of a fee. 29-A 2411; 101. Wisconsin does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. For more information on such plates please visit: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/harley-davidson.htm. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of New York are generally found in Title 7, Article 34 of the Vehicle & Traffic Consolidated Laws of New York (N.Y. Veh. A person may not drive a school bus or transit vehicle while using a wireless telephone. Source: Ga. Code Ann. Doesn't exceed 50 cc. In Vermont there is no statute that generally defines what is considered a vehicle. The District of Columbia does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time. Arizona does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time. Ohio Bicycle Federation Digest of Bicycle laws: Ohio Department of Transportation's Cycling Smarter Guide: Summary of Ohio Bike Laws by Steve Magas: If the violation results in a collision causing serious physical injury to another person, the person shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500.00; and. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. However, Texas has designated April as Child Safety Month which, amongst other things, promotes ways to reduce accidental injury and death through the use of bicycle helmets. Source: Ky. Rev. Colorado 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. Revising older state laws that classify e-bikes as mopeds and scooters and may include burdensome licensure, registration or equipment requirements. As part of a2015 surveyof Americans regarding their opinions about e-bikes, 72 percent of respondents stated their top concern was safety. 29-A 2323; 2328. Compilation of laws by Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas: Compilation of laws by North Little Rock Parks & Recreation: A person under the age of 18 years shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a hands-free device, or while using a mobile service device. 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. Therefore, bicycles may be driven on sidewalks. Hawaii does not have a law prohibiting the failure to wear a helmet from being used against a bicyclist injured in a traffic accident. Motorized bicycle need not be registered, titled, or display a license plate. Vehicles are prohibited on sidewalks, but in Arizona, bicycles are not defined as vehicles. This primer deals specifically with low-speed electric bicycles as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Local authorities may prohibit the operation of bicycles on any sidewalk or crosswalk under their jurisdiction; and. 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. Rhode Island has a vulnerable road user law. Wyoming does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time. Source: Nev. Rev. A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian; A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Rhode Island are generally found in Title 31 of the Rhode Island General Statutes (R.I. Gen. Laws), available here: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/. Illinois requires that no person open the door of a 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. 40-6-296; 40-6-292, Georgia, in conjunction with Georgia Bikes!, offers Share the Road license plates. Bicycles are also subject to the rights and duties applicable to vehicles and must therefore drive upon the right half of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person may also make a right hand turn at a red light as if it were a stop sign, or a left hand turn through a red light after stopping if the turn is onto a one-way road and there is no oncoming traffic. No local authority may require that bicycles be operated on sidewalks. New York 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. Rhode Island 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. North Carolina'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 likely applies to bicyclists. Laws 257.79; 257.657. The overtaking of a bicycle by a motor vehicle, or vice versa, is governed by general traffic laws and, in most circumstances, such overtaking must be done to the left at a safe distance. 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. Oregon requires that the driver of a motor vehicle pass a person operating a bicycle by driving to the left of the bicycle at a safe distance (a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver's lane of traffic) and returning to the lane of travel once the motor vehicle is safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. A minor is a person under 18 years of age. In the remaining states, electric bicycles lack a specific definition and may be included within another vehicle class such as moped or motorized bicycle.. 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. Wyoming currently requires that no person operate a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while using a handheld electronic wireless communication device to write, send or read a text-based communication, subject to limited exceptions. However, a driver of a motor vehicle need not follow that requirement when: The driver of a motor vehicle may drive to the left of the center of a roadway to pass a person operating a bicycle proceeding in the same direction only if the roadway to the left of the center is unobstructed for a sufficient distance to permit the driver to pass the person operating the bicycle safely and avoid interference with oncoming traffic. Ohio requires that no person open the door of a 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. Maine does not require that bicyclists use any lane or path other than a normal vehicular traffic lane. The failure to wear a required helmet shall not be used as evidence of contributory negligence in any civil action. 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. Since this holding the Washington State legislature has not attempted to change the DUI law so that it more readily applies to bicyclists. Source: Ala. Code 32-1-1.1(81); 32-5A-260. Ann. 4511.07; 4511.711. Ann. Rhode Island'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. In Maine a "vulnerable user" means a person on a public way who is vulnerable to injury than a person in an automobile, truck or other similar motor vehicle and includes, but is not limited to: A. ), available here: http://leg1.state.va.us/000/src.htm. 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. Virginia'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. The failure to wear a helmet as specified above shall not constitute negligence per se nor contributory negligence per se or be considered evidence of negligence or liability. . Source: Vt. Stat. Code Ann., Transp. 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. tit. In addition, no person shall leave a door open on a side of a motor vehicle exposed to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload a passenger. 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. Capital Region Planning Commission Compilation of laws: New Orleans Bicycle Club Compilation of laws: Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets Compilation of laws: A person who has not attained 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone or handheld electronic device. When the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, When traveling at the same speed as traffic, or. However, at this time no Share the Road plates are offered. Indiana has no helmet law. When reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions along the right-hand edge of roadway including a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. 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. However, the Indiana Drivers Manual does caution that, after parking and before opening vehicle doors, a motorist should first check for bicyclists: http://www.in.gov/bmv/files/Drivers_Manual_Chapter_5.pdf. When operating a bicycle upon a roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement and which has two or more marked traffic lanes, in which case a bicyclist may ride as near to the left-hand curb or left-hand edge of the roadway as practicable. Code 23110; 670; 21200. Stat. Nevertheless, bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated. 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. Stat. A pedestrian, including a person actually engaged in work upon a highway, or in work upon utility facilities along a highway, or engaged in the provision of emergency services within the right-of-way; A person operating a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, or moped lawfully on the roadway; A person lawfully operating on a public right-of-way, crosswalk, or shoulder of the roadway: A skateboard, roller skates, or in-line skates; An electric personal assistive mobility device; or, Before his or her driving privilege may be reinstated, present to the department proof of completion of a victims impact panel session in a judicial circuit if such a panel exists, or if such a panel does not exist, a department-approved driver improvement course relating to the rights of vulnerable road users relative to vehicles on the roadway; and. 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