State bike laws [Archive]

2manybikes

02-15-07, 07:50 AM

Have you read yours? Mine are on line, I did.

Do you carry them with you? I do.

Has carrying them ever helped solve a debate? Not me.

Any big surprises in your state laws?
Yes,
I can park my bike in a car parking spot on the road.
A cop can stop me and inspect my bike for lights, reflectors, brakes, etc. any time he wants.
I can ride on the sidewalk and have all the rights and rules of a pedestrian when I am on the
sidewalk (that includes a crosswalk). As soon as I switch to the road I'm a vehicle.
It is illegal for a cyclist to use a whistle or a siren.

gsk3

02-15-07, 07:57 AM

Itsjustb

02-15-07, 08:02 AM

> A cop can stop me and inspect my bike for lights, reflectors, brakes, etc. any time he wants.

Hmmmm....I don't ride at night anymore so I don't keep a headlight on my bike (I do have a rear blinkie but it's attached to my trunk). If I lived in your state, does that mean I could be cited for not having a light? Even in the daytime?

Also creepy.

noisebeam

02-15-07, 08:07 AM

Check out:
http://www.bicycledriving.com/trafficlaw.htm

2manybikes

02-15-07, 08:08 AM

Just read mine. Apparently you have to register your bikes in Massachusetts. How creepy.
Ari

That is creepy. I didn't see that one coming. Do you have a link handy?

> A cop can stop me and inspect my bike for lights, reflectors, brakes, etc. any time he wants.

Hmmmm....I don't ride at night anymore so I don't keep a headlight on my bike (I do have a rear blinkie but it's attached to my trunk). If I lived in your state, does that mean I could be cited for not having a light? Even in the daytime?

Also creepy.

Just at night.

§ 31-19-10 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles. – (a) Front lamp. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') to the front.

1fluffhead

02-15-07, 08:13 AM

Yeah, I have read mine only because they change last year. http://www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/bicyclists/oppe/Bicyclists6.asp

staehpj1

02-15-07, 08:25 AM

Yeah, I have read mine only because they change last year. http://www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/bicyclists/oppe/Bicyclists6.asp
I tried to go there to read them, but all links to the Annotated Code of Maryland seem to be broken.

CliftonGK1

02-15-07, 08:25 AM

RCW 47.30.070
Bicycle, equestrian, pedestrian paths as public highways.
For purposes of 43 U.S.C. 912 and related provisions of federal law involving federally
granted railroad rights of way, a bicycle, equestrian or pedestrian path shall be deemed to
be a public highway under the laws of the state of Washington.

Apparently, the MUP I ride on every morning is (according to budget funding and other laws) considered to be a public highway. Does this mean I can get a ticket for violating the posted 15mph speed limit? (Yes, there are actual black and white highway-type speed limit signs on the MUP.)

<edit>
For night bicycle riding, a white front light (not a reflector) visible for 500 feet and a red rear reflector are required. A red rear light may be used in addition to the required reflector (RCW 46.61.780).

Dang, I'm rollin' illegal and I didn't even know. No red rear reflector at night; just my PB Superflash. In WA it's not an either/or.

joejack951

02-15-07, 08:36 AM

I tried to go there to read them, but all links to the Annotated Code of Maryland seem to be broken.

http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/Annot_Code_Idx/TransportIndex.htm

Scroll down to title 21 for Rules of the Road.

When reading traffic laws, pay particular attention to the wording used in each law. It will vary slightly from state to state and sometimes the meaning is quite different. If a different word is used in two laws for what seems to be the same thing, such as substituting "highway" for "roadway," look at how the state defines that word and see how using one word in place of another can completely change the meaning of the law. You'll get a much better understanding of the law if you pay attention to all of these details. At least that was the case for me.

gsk3

02-15-07, 11:57 AM

[QUOTE=2manybikes]That is creepy. I didn't see that one coming. Do you have a link handy?
http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/mass.htm

2manybikes

02-15-07, 12:09 PM

[QUOTE=2manybikes]That is creepy. I didn't see that one coming. Do you have a link handy?
http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/mass.htm

It has to be a city that accepts the ruling and votes in favor of it. The only way to know is to check the town laws.

No resident of any city which accepts this section by vote of its city council, or of any town which accepts this section by vote of the town, shall operate a bicycle within the limits thereof, unless such bicycle is registered under this section in such city or town and unless the registration plate or decal issued therefor is attached to such bicycle.

sswartzl

02-17-07, 08:16 PM

I was surprised that in PA you can ride two abreast. Also, sidewalk riding is legal except in a business district, though pedestrians have right of way.

ken cummings

02-17-07, 08:37 PM

I just checked the California code and smiled when I saw the max penalty for bike DUI is $250.00

joejack951

02-17-07, 10:43 PM

I was surprised that in PA you can ride two abreast. Also, sidewalk riding is legal except in a business district, though pedestrians have right of way.

It's legal in most states provided that you are not impeding the flow of traffic (if riding single file would allow passing that is not possible while riding two abreast, such as in a wide outside lane on a one lane each way road, then you should ride single file).

Carusoswi

02-18-07, 04:14 AM

It's legal in most states provided that you are not impeding the flow of traffic (if riding single file would allow passing that is not possible while riding two abreast, such as in a wide outside lane on a one lane each way road, then you should ride single file).

What is a wide outside lane on a one lane each way road? Just curious.

Caruso

catatonic

02-18-07, 05:21 AM

Think oversized lanes. Each lane would be about 1-1/2 lanes in width....this gives plenty of room for sharing the road.

Garandman

02-18-07, 06:19 AM

Just read mine. Apparently you have to register your bikes in Massachusetts. How creepy.

Other points of note: can pass cars on the right, sidewalk riding is explicitly allowed unless otherwise noted, "red light or reflector on the rear".
Cambridge law also allows sidewalk riding except for certain business districts (where it's marked on the sidewalks).

All-in-all, there isn't really anything I dislike about the laws. Even annoying vestigial things are taken care of (e.g. they don't require rear reflectors if you have a light).
Ari

For reference, I found MA at http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/mass.htm

I can remember getting a bike registration plate as a kid, haven't seen one since about 1965 though.

Biggest change from then is kids under 16 require helmets.

joejack951

02-18-07, 08:01 AM

What is a wide outside lane on a one lane each way road? Just curious.

Caruso

On a one lane each way road, "the lane" is the "outside lane," by default. I've confused someone before by using this terminology so I apologize for doing so again. I should have just said "wide lane roadway."

TCNJCyclist

02-18-07, 09:21 AM

http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/regulations.shtm

Summary of NJ laws: Head light w/ a tail light or red reflector at night. Audible signal that can be heard from 100'. A brake that can make the wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

There are a lot more "may"s than I previously thought.

trackhub

02-18-07, 02:33 PM

For reference, I found MA at http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/mass.htm

I can remember getting a bike registration plate as a kid, haven't seen one since about 1965 though.

Biggest change from then is kids under 16 require helmets.

Let me guess: An oval shaped green plate with the name of the town on it, right? There's a few of those hanging in the window of the Broadway Bike school in Cambridge. Registration decals today are usually small stickers, issued by the city or town police department. In most cities and towns, it is 100% voluntary, and is typically done as part of an anti-theft campaign. Sometimes, it actually works.

As far as I now, only Boston requires registration, and only of working messengers. The plate is a small plastic affair, usually wired into the spokes of a front wheel.

Safe bicyling and knowing the rules of the road used to be taught in public schools in Massachusetts, back in the 60's. Nothing major, no tests or anything. Just colorful posters and a few hours each spring to safe cycling. It stopped at some point. I doubt it will ever return.

2manybikes

02-18-07, 04:37 PM

Let me guess: An oval shaped green plate with the name of the town on it, right? There's a few of those hanging in the window of the Broadway Bike school in Cambridge.

This is on my 1951 Schwinn Spitfire. Do you know when they stopped making the metal plates and why?
From Taunton Mass. It's original.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/1844/hpim7788bl6.jpg

invisiblehand

02-18-07, 07:35 PM

I don't carry DC's bicycle laws with me; but here are some of the highlights ...

(1) you must register your bike or risk a fine/impounding

(2) you need to have reflectors or lights on the bike at night

(3) you need to have a bell on your bike

(4) bicycle infractions cost a lot less than similar infractions committed while driving.

http://www.waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php

JohnBrooking

02-18-07, 07:51 PM

I compiled a list of Maine's (http://bike.meetup.com/132/pages/Summary_of_Maine_Bicycle_Laws/) for my Bike Commuting Club ("http://bike.meetup.com/132).

The most surprising part to me was "A motorized bicycle or scooter may not operate in excess of 20 MPH." No mention of unmotorized, so I guess it's okay for us go as fast as we want, right? Or did they just not think we could go that fast? :)

"Hey, officer, look, I'm doing 23, give me a ticket!" :D

CaptainCool

02-18-07, 10:39 PM

Just looked at mine again. http://mail.lightblast.net/~rosenthal/bikelaw/index.htm

It is generally legal to bike on non-business-district sidewalks, which I didn't know. You're supposed to yield to pedestrians and give a signal when overtaking. You become a pedestrian instead of a vehicle. I suddenly have less actual reason to hate most of the bikers around here.

I'm supposed to stay on the right side of the road, but I still ride on the left when commuting on a road with occasional bike lanes on the left side.

I don't really have to signal turns if I need the arm on the handlebars, which I often do in the winter. That's good news.

Old bike registration laws were apparently repealed in 2005. I don't know if anything replaced it.

Helmet Head

02-19-07, 12:37 AM

deputyjones

02-19-07, 01:38 AM

I don't carry DC's bicycle laws with me; but here are some of the highlights ...

(1) you must register your bike or risk a fine/impounding

Wow, that is really surprising. I wonder what the justification/motivation, other than raising money, is for that? I am assuming there is a fee to register your bike.

feba

02-19-07, 04:40 AM

Kansas's laws don't seem that amazing, except that tricycles are apperently not classfied (A bike is classified as a vehicle with two tandem wheels...although i'm sure no one really cares)

joejack951

02-19-07, 06:02 AM

I'm supposed to stay on the right side of the road, but I still ride on the left when commuting on a road with occasional bike lanes on the left side.

I'm assuming you ae referring to riding on a one way road with a bike lane on the left side. Most states have laws saying that on one way streets (sometimes with additional clarification about a max speed limit) cyclist can use the far left or the far right lane.

CaptainCool

02-19-07, 07:28 AM

I'm assuming you ae referring to riding on a one way road with a bike lane on the left side.
I am. I didn't see anything in the law that allows you to bike on the left side of the road, except in a bike lane or on the sidewalk or to avoid something in the right lane. I'm not worried about it, though - there's enough room in the left lane and it's not reasonable for me to cross.

Golf XRay Tango

02-19-07, 05:01 PM

In Ontario there is no regulation about sidewalk riding, but riding through a crosswalk is prohibited. Since all places where the sidewalk intersects a roadway are considered crosswalks, trying to legally ride on a sidewalk is pretty much a waste of time.

Unfortunately, every sidepath I've ever seen here goes from asphalt to regular sidewalk slabs a couple of meters from every intersection, so legally it's a crosswalk and you are supposed to get off and walk.

We also require reflective tape in addition to a white headlight for riding at night. The regulation requires white tape on the front forks and red tape on the 'rear forks'. I'm guessing the author of that one doesn't know much about bikes.

The most interesting one to me appears to be an oversight. The regulation that defines speeding specifically only refers to *motorized* vehicles. I'm guessing that one cyclist will get a 'get out of jail free' card with that one before the wording is changed. :)

buzzman

02-19-07, 05:21 PM

That's pretty typical.

At least in CA, electric bikes have 20 mph governors for this reason.

yes, they're called "governators". Grossly overpowered but can't accomplish much. ;)

2manybikes

02-20-07, 04:59 PM

yes, they're called "governators". Grossly overpowered but can't accomplish much. ;)

:beer:

trackhub

02-20-07, 05:59 PM

This is on my 1951 Schwinn Spitfire. Do you know when they stopped making the metal plates and why?
From Taunton Mass. It's original.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/1844/hpim7788bl6.jpg

Nice! :beer:

I think they stopped making them circa 1967. Reasons? Probably budget reasons. Also, the metal plates do have an edge that's sharp enough to give you a scrape or cut. The green plates are collectables to some people now. A cycling friend has collected a few off of what he calls "dump specials".

Mr_H

02-21-07, 07:48 AM

I know Michigan's League of Bicyclists has a website that has the essentials of Michigan law. I've been meaning to copy it down to a small card or something, but I haven't had the time yet.

It'd be awefully handy to have a central website where all this stuff was brought together and you could simply print out the the info :)

2manybikes

02-21-07, 08:01 AM

Nice! :beer:

I think they stopped making them circa 1967. Reasons? Probably budget reasons. Also, the metal plates do have an edge that's sharp enough to give you a scrape or cut. The green plates are collectables to some people now. A cycling friend has collected a few off of what he calls "dump specials".

Thanks. The bike with plate on it was at an antique store in Dighton Mass. (just west of Taunton).

My guess was budget as well. It costs a lot to make all those plates, and I don't see much practical benefit for anyone.