Advocacy & Safety - I want to learn more about the law

Where can I learn more?

I had a conversation with a cop yesterday and he wasn't sure himself. I'd love to read up more, print out the laws and carry them with me on my bike.

The Colorado Bicycling Manual is the official rules of the road and trail for bicycling and walking in Colorado.
http://www.dot.state.co.us/BikePed/BikePedManual.htm

Where can I learn more?

I had a conversation with a cop yesterday and he wasn't sure himself. I'd love to read up more, print out the laws and carry them with me on my bike.

Start here:

http://bicyclecolo.org/site/intro.cfm

Anyone have a link for Texas?

Anyone have a link for Texas?

Here you go: http://www.biketexas.org/cycling_rules.html

Both links look useful.

Every bicyclist should read and know the exact state laws they are responsible for following.

I would also do a web search for state laws (state name “traffic code” usually works well). Some manuals may not include all the laws or they may paraphrase them. Sometimes it is important to read the law exactly as written and sometimes you may need to find a law that does not mention bicycle in it. An example would be determining if the use of headphones are legal for bicyclist. The law may only say headphones are illegal for motor vehicles and may not use the word bicycle. The bicycle manual will not repeat the law in the manual because it does not have the word bicycle. The manual may say bicyclist should not wear headphones, implying that it is illegal without showing the law.

An old Hawaii manual did this and it is illegal for bicyclist to use headphones in Hawaii.

colorado traffic code (http://www.dot.state.co.us/Rules/Model_Traffic_Code_2003-NP.pdf)

texas traffic code (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm)

Does anyone know the laws up here in Wisconsin?

Both links look useful.

Every bicyclist should read and know the exact state laws they are responsible for following.

I would also do a web search for state laws (state name “traffic code” usually works well). Some manuals may not include all the laws or they may paraphrase them. Sometimes it is important to read the law exactly as written and sometimes you may need to find a law that does not mention bicycle in it. An example would be determining if the use of headphones are legal for bicyclist. The law may only say headphones are illegal for motor vehicles and may not use the word bicycle. The bicycle manual will not repeat the law in the manual because it does not have the word bicycle. The manual may say bicyclist should not wear headphones, implying that it is illegal without showing the law.

An old Hawaii manual did this and it is illegal for bicyclist to use headphones in Hawaii.

colorado traffic code (http://www.dot.state.co.us/Rules/Model_Traffic_Code_2003-NP.pdf)

texas traffic code (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm)

The laws regarding bicycling changed markedly July 1 in Colorado. I doubt it would yet be in any code. They would need some time. The BicycleColorado.org site would be the most current.

If you ride in a city, you want to review that city's ordinances for additional cycling regulations. Cities often specify if, and where, you may ride on sidewalks, specific streets where bicycles are prohibited, and so on.

The laws regarding bicycling changed markedly July 1 in Colorado. I doubt it would yet be in any code. They would need some time. The BicycleColorado.org site would be the most current.

Many, maybe even most states have legislative and/or governor’s web sites that provide that sessions changes to the laws, as well the effective date the law goes into effect. :)

Colorado General Assembly (http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/olls/sl2005a/sl_301.htm)

Does anyone know the laws up here in Wisconsin?

Try http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/bicycle/rules.htm

Links to the actual text of the statutes are down the right-hand side.

I'm up on the NY State bike code (http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?cl=128&a=58). I also carry them with me, just in case - two pages, double-sided.

My motivation was similar to yours. Many years ago, I was pulled over by the local town police and was told to ride on the path. I hemmed and hawed a bit, but did as I was told. When they were gone, I left the path and went back onto the road. But at the time, I wished I knew more. Now I do.

Where can I learn more?Just in case no one else has mentioned it yet:
The appendix in Paul Schimek's Bicycles and the Traffic Law (http://www.bicycledriving.com/trafficlaw.htm#appendix) page has links to most (if not all) of the state traffic laws.

south carolina laws?

An important point: if you are interested in learning about the law, first go to the statutes and regulations. Don't rely on drivers' manuals and similar publications -- they paraphrase the law, and when it comes to bicycles, they often do it badly.

If you really want to get into it, you have to look at the case law as well -- how has the law actually been applied in the past. Unless you have access to WestLaw or LexisNexis this is not easy to find.

Just in case no one else has mentioned it yet:
The appendix in Paul Schimek's Bicycles and the Traffic Law (http://www.bicycledriving.com/trafficlaw.htm#appendix) page has links to most (if not all) of the state traffic laws.
Great site. Those Internets are pretty good, huh? ;)

For those in California, check this out: http://www.vcbike.org/bikelaw/bikelaw.htm

Just curious, does DC have its own laws, as it is not a state?

Just curious, does DC have its own laws, as it is not a state?

DC has its own laws, they're at: http://ddot.dc.gov/ddot/lib/ddot/information/bicycle/regulations34.pdf

DC has an elected city council that passes laws, but all laws and the annual budget also must be passed by the Congress. DC residents have no representation in Congress, which puts us in the unfortunate position of having our local affairs controlled by a body in which we have no representation. We are also the only US citizens who pay income tax but do not have congressional representation.

Write you congressman and tell him you think it stinks.