motorized bicycle laws by state

Effective August 2, 2020 - the law allows people to operate electric scooters (e-scooters) and bicycles with electric assist (e-bikes) on some streets and highways in New York State. What sets a true motorized bike apart from a scooter or a moped is the do-it . League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Summit, Bike League, Bicycle Friendly , Bicycle Friendly America, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly Business, Bicycle Friendly University, and BF, BFA, BFS, BFC, BFB and BFB are service marks of League of American Wheelmen, Inc.dba League of American Bicyclists. The issuance of a citation for failure to wear a required helmet shall not be prima facie evidence of negligence. Oklahoma currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions: Source: Okla. Stat. If the individual operating a bicycle is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of roadways after proceeding past a stop sign without stopping or past a steady red traffic - control light, the collision is deemed prima facie evidence of the individual's failure to yield the right of way. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to operate a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner such that the careless or distracted operation is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user who is lawfully present on the highway at the time of injury. Idaho does not define who is a "vulnerable road user," but requires that every driver of a vehicle exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle and give an audible signal when necessary. Stat. This law distinguishes, at the federal level, e-bikes that can travel 20 mph or less under motor power alone from motorcycles, mopeds and motor vehicles. In Indiana bicycles are not vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles, but a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle as provided in Article 9-21 of the Indiana Code, except for special regulations for bicycles in Article 9-21 and those provisions which by their nature can have no application. 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. Stat. However, the Michigan Drivers Manual, What Every Driver Must Know, advises that opening a vehicle door in the path of a bicyclist is dangerous and illegal: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/wedmk_16312_7.pdf. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of California are generally found in the California Vehicle Code (Cal. Riding a bike is a healthy, fun and safe activity. The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Washington are generally found in Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington (Wash. Rev. Virginia offers Share the Road license plates. Texas's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to motor vehicles, but the definition for motor vehicles that is applicable for laws related to intoxication offenses includes bicycles. Mopeds are subject to all traffic laws just like any other motor vehicle. ), available here https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169. Rev. 13 02.400, In Alaska, bicycles are defined as vehicles. California requires that the driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. Nevertheless bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated. A person operating a bicycle my proceed through an intersection without stopping if they do those three steps. Wisconsin has no helmet law. No law was found in Iowa that requires persons opening the door of a motor vehicle to do so in a reasonably safe manner that does not interfere with the movement of traffic. Site design by Language Dept. Ann. 41-6a-208; 10-8-69. Michigan has no helmet law. A Class 1 E-bike A class 1 E-bike can be defined as a pedal-assisted electric bicycle with a low-powered motor that boosts the rider's effort up to 20 miles per hour and then cuts off. Cent. Gen. Laws. Wisconsin'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. But, in Florida, when cyclists rides on sidewalks, they are . Required by law with age restrictions Some states only require a helmet to be used up to a certain age. 189.01(19); 601 KAR 14:020(9). No pedals if powered solely by electrical energy (CVC 406 (a)). Source: N/A, Authorization for Local Regulation of bicycles, Alabama 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. Rhode Island has a vulnerable road user law. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. For more information on such plates please visit: http://dmv.utah.gov/license-plates/special-group-plates#sharetheroad. Massachusetts General Law Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 85, Section 11B sets out state traffic laws that regulate the use of bicycles. In Kansas bicycles are not vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles, but a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle as provided in Chapter 8 of the Kansas Statutes, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. No person who is seventeen years of age or younger shall operate a motor vehicle on any public road or highway in this state while using any wireless telecommunications device to engage in a call or write, send or read a text-based communication. In Ohio, bicycles are defined as vehicles. Of the 43states and D.C. that define e-bikes, some state laws, such as in Arizona, Minnesota, Utah and Washington, specifically allow e-bike operation on facilities such as bicycle paths or greenways, with the caveat that many carve out exceptions for localities to enact stricter operation regulations on such bike and pedestrian facilities. 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. Wisconsin does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. 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. We update laws as we work with our member advocacy organizations to pass better laws and as advocates or the public tell us about changes. However, the Iowa Drivers Manual does advise that motorists should be careful when opening vehicle doors because road widths can force bicyclists to ride close to parked vehicles where they may be injured by an opening door: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/dlmanual/dlmanual.pdf. In Oregon, bicycles are defined as vehicles. Oklahoma provides that its state traffic laws shall be applicable and uniform throughout the state and that no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation in conflict with the state traffic laws, but may adopt additional traffic regulations. If two bicyclists arrive at an intersection where they can treat stop signs as yield signs at the same time, the bicyclist to the left should yield to the bicyclist to the right. Washington provides that every city and town may by ordinance: Source: Wash. Rev. Ann. 28.90.990(16); 28.90.990(28); Alaska Admin. Missouri Department of Transportation Compilation of laws: St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization Bicycle pamphlet: Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation Legal resources: Intentionally interfere with the movement of a person who is lawfully riding a bicycle; or. South Carolina requires that no person open any door of a motor vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. Tennessee requires that the operator of a motor vehicle, when overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet and shall maintain the clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. There are many different local laws concerning what constitutes a motorized bike, and the regulations for use vary widely in different areas. Delaware provides that the driver of a motor vehicle, when approaching a bicyclist traveling in the same direction, shall ensure the safety and protection of the bicyclist by: Delaware requires that any person under the age of 18 riding a bicycle, as an operator or passenger, must wear a protective bicycle helmet. 63-3-103; 63-3-1303. The operator of every vehicle, while driving, shall devote their full time and attention to such driving; It shall be unlawful for a public transit driver to operate a motor vehicle on any street or highway within this state while using a cellular telephone or electronic communication device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while the motor vehicle is in motion; and. Stat. New Hampshire requires that a bicyclist, traveling at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride with traffic on the right portion of the road as far as practicable except when it is unsafe to do so or: Source: N.H. Rev. Nevada'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. Mississippi'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. However, the rider of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk. A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, or on a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal when necessary before overtaking and passing any pedestrian; No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district unless permitted by local authorities. Ann. Att'yGen. California does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. New Hampshire'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. Virginia currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions: Source: Va. Code Ann. To make a left turn from a left-turn lane or pocket; To avoid debris, drains or other hazardous conditions that make it impracticable to ride at the right side of the roadway; To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; or. Stat. Source: Nev. Rev. If a driver violates certain laws related to overtaking a bicycle, such as the 3 foot minimum distance, and is the proximate cause of a collision with a person riding a bicycle there are increased penalties due to such collision. 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. 47 15-101; 15-102. Source: Office of the State Traffic Administration (OSTA) 14-298-238. In addition, at a place where a person may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk or sidewalk area, a person may also ride a bicycle on a crosswalk. Hawaii requires that the driver of a vehicle passing or overtaking a bicyclists proceeding in the same direction shall allow at least three feet of separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including all mirrors or other protuberances, and the left side of the bicyclist, and shall not drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. Rhode Island requires that the driver of a motor vehicle must pass a bicyclist by driving to the left of the bicycle at a safe 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. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. In addition, no person may leave a door open on a side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic for a period of time longer than is necessary to load or unload passengers. Further, a person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving. Stat. 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. 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