Tom Stormcrowe

BICYCLES

Automobiles and bicycles have equal rights upon Indiana roadways. Bicyclists must observe all traffic rules applicable to the driver of a vehicle, including usage of the right lane of the highway in travel stopping and proceeding in accord with traffic signals, and the usage of prescribed manual signs for the guidance of other traffic. The penalties which may be imposed for violations of these offenses are the same as if the bicyclist were driving a car, including, where applicable, the possible loss of a driver's license.

In addition, there are statutes specifically governing bicyclists. Be aware:

1. There must be a seat for every person riding a bicycle or carrying another person on the bicycle.
2. Bicyclists may ride two abreast, but not more than two abreast, on the roadway.
3. No bicyclist may carry any package or bundle which prevents the rider from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
4. A bicyclist may not use a siren or whistle, but must have a bell or other device attached to the bicycle capable of being heard for one hundered (100) feet.
5. Bicycles must be equipped with a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the back for use from one-halr hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

Finally, although there is no statute requiring that a bicyclist wear protective headgear, it is strongly advised that each bicyclist wear an approved helmet.

https://www.indiana.edu/~sls/traffic_violations.html

John E

Although I generally support reasonable enforcement of traffic laws for bicyclists, putting points on one's motoring record is going way too far. This sounds like a great reason to carry one's passport, instead of a driver's license, when cycling.

Does item 5 mean that I have to keep a headlight on every bike, including those I ride only during broad daylight?

wahoonc

JohnE

I have been down this road with the NCDMV in the past. My contention is that a driver's license IS NOT required to ride(operate) a bicycle, so I don't expect ticket points to be applied. I did not carry one for identification. I had a State Issued ID card. Looks very similar to the DL. I was "ticketed" for failure to yield right of way, the car ran the red light but who are you going to believe? Low and behold the points showed up on my license a few months later. Short of not having a DL you are likely to get screwed in many states if they can link you to your DL. I did manage to get my points removed but it cost me over $500 in attorney fees.

Aaron

-=(8)=-

In FL, bike infractions do not go on your drivers license.
Different payment schedule, too........
I think its because most of the drivers here dont have licenses.
Paperwork nitemare

Allister

Stupid, stupid rule.

So, conceivably, you could lose your driving license through your actions on a bike, but since you don't need a license to ride a bike, you can continue to do so afterwards. What happens if they catch you again after that? Do they take your license of you again?

Yeah, perfectly sensible

wahoonc

Nah...they impound the vehicle! and no I'm not kidding We have a state full of illegal immigrants, multiple DUI's, driving with licensed revoked, no insurance, etc, etc. and they want to ticket cyclists! I have no problem with getting a well deserved ticket. I am one of those people that actually attempts to obey the law to the best of my knowledge. But license points??? Give me a break.

Aaron

DCCommuter

I would rely on the underlying statute rather than a third-party website.

Daily Commute

In Ohio (and I imagine elsewhere), the cop can hold you until he's definitively ID'd you. Once he's done that, he can link you to your DL. Don't play ID games with cops. It just ticks off the cop and gives him an excuse to f--- with you.

Fortunately, thanks to the Ohio Bike Federation's lobbying, cyclists don't get points on our licenses for routine traffic offenses. The Highway Patrol insisted that reckless cycling and drunk cycling still cause points. That doesn't make a lot of sense, but it was an acceptable concession to get the bill passed.

John E

Does "reckless cycling" include, say, taking the lane?

Daily Commute

No. It's reckless driving. I think it usually means driving crazy dangerous, like wildly excessive speed. Criminal defense lawyers tell me it's often something people charged with drunk driving plead to when the prosecutor isn't sure he can win a drunk driving conviction.

Raleigh Chopper

Putting points on a person's driving licence for a cycling offence is completely nuts!!

DCCommuter

Indiana will pull your license for all sorts of non-driving violations -- truancy, underage drinking, drug violations. I guess they view it as a general-purpose negative incentive. In that context adding cycling violations to the list doesn't seem that strange.

making

No, You dont even have to have headlights on a motor vehicle unless you are operating it on public roads one hour before sunset or one hour after sunrise. That does not sound right, I mean an hour away from darkness.

Raleigh Chopper

DCCommuter - come to the UK - you'll love it here! I got stopped once for driving my car at over 100mph (allegedly) on the motorway (freeway) - the policeman took my driver's licence details and basically just said "don't do it again!" - nothing else. Since that day I have never exceeded the speed limit. Ever. *Ahem*

making

Actually what I was told in court (many years ago), they can charge you with reckless driving for about anything. For example we were discussing being about 15 mph over the speed limit. Judge splained to me he could convict me of reckless driving and would had the officer written a ticked for it.

James827

It's good advice not to play any games with cops. They have to deal with criminals and negative situations all day long. We can't really blame them for being a little jaded. It's best just to remain calm and polite with them.

dogbitteneear

welcome to dufus land. Because you have made yourself a visable target. You might actually be
that much vunerable.

Daily Commute

I was talking about what it usually means. Of course, aggressive cops and prosecutors can push the limit. Still, 15 mph over the limit is a lot. That means 40 mph is a school zone or 80 mph on the freeway. I wouldn't blame the judge if he just wanted to scare you a bit for doing that.

I-Like-To-Bike

Don't fool yourself, not carrying or showing the D/L is no protection from points if a D/L has been issued to you. Any LEO can easily obtain your D/L info by entering your name in his vehicle's on board computer or from the dispatcher. Also Daily Commute is correct, giving false ID info to the police is asking for bigger trouble than putting points on one's motoring record.

HQQKEM

Yet, for the definitions of driving while impaired, riding a bicycle is not considered driving while impaired in North Carolina. And you don't have to have a license to ride a bike, but they can penalize you with points if you do have one. The hypocrisy of this state government is simply stunning.

making

It just dawned on me, the bell. Do I really have to have a bell on my bike? The other day at the LBS I noticed they all had a hokey little bells on them. Dang, could I be ticketed for not having a bell on my bike?

making

then what if I did not pay the ticket, could I be arrested? Thrown in jail, have a record, learn to be a real criminal in prison. Hummm for some reason Alices Resturant comes to mind.

Daily Commute

It depends on your local laws, but I think most places require a bell. I have one on my bike. They're very handy, especially if you ever get on an MUP.

I don't know. They might just make it impossible to get or renew a drivers license or license plates. Some places might put out an arrest warrant, which could pop up at a very inconvenient time.

making

Wow, to keep from ruining my life, I think I will go out to the LBS and buy one. Why take the chance?

N8N

I'll probably be the odd man out here but I'm all in favor of strict penalties for not following the law on a car or on a bike. If they started assessing DL points for cycling infractions around here then maybe some of the more dip**** cyclists would start cleaning up their act. It's a rare day that I don't see a cyclist blowing a stop sign, gutter passing, etc. and I don't mean where there's no traffic either.