Well I was stopped today by a cop as I was biking with my daughter towed in a bike trailer. The cop stated that it was illegal to have a bike trailer on the road. I am in tennesse if it makes a difference. Anyone know if this is correct or not? Cop was very nice about it atleast.

I challenge him to show that statute in court. I know a bike trailer isn't illegal in SC.

I live in Chattanooga and have a kiddie trailer for my dog and recycling. I've used it plenty, and seen plenty of others using one and never, ever heard of this. Not saying the pi...er, police officer was wrong, but he could have been invoking an archaic, rarely-enforced law as an excuse to be a dillweed. I'll try to do a little more research on this though.

Sounds like baloney to me. I've never heard or read anything like this, and I've been through a good deal of the Tennessee related bicycle laws and codes. Here is a good link that has most of the cycling applicable laws in our state:

http://kba.tripod.com/tncode.htm

There is no mention of trailers in these documents. I've got an email into a few people who may know more and will post if they return with more info.

Thanks a lot guys! This link was pretty helpful
http://kba.tripod.com/tncode.htm and as mentioned does not say anything about trailers. I am wondering if i should have a printed copy of this in case stopped again.

Maybe you could contact the officer and ask them to clarify about the trailer law. Something like you wanted to look it up so that you would not break other provisions of the law but found nothing relating to bike trailers in the law.

Another possibility is that the officer had a different motive for stopping you and used the trailer as an excuse.

Thanks a lot guys! This link was pretty helpful
http://kba.tripod.com/tncode.htm and as mentioned does not say anything about trailers. I am wondering if i should have a printed copy of this in case stopped again.


I think the burden of proof is on him. Have him call his supervisor and discus it with him.
Most likely he was trying to have you submit to the AUTHORA-TIE. Badge+gun = lage male appendage.

I am in tennesse if it makes a difference. Of course the state and even the municipality make a difference. Every place has its own set of laws, and things that are perfectly legal in one place are illegal in others. They try to tell you that "ignorance of the law is no excuse", but it's impossible not to be ignorant of some law or another.

Its just a bummer getting stopped and having to end the ride. I think I will try to call the local authorites and seek advice for my municipality.