{"id":185923680,"date":"2010-11-22T21:28:00","date_gmt":"2010-11-22T21:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=185923680"},"modified":"2010-11-22T21:28:00","modified_gmt":"2010-11-22T21:28:00","slug":"current-bicycle-laws-phase-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=185923680","title":{"rendered":"Current Bicycle Laws  (Phase one)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>[B&#8217; Spokes: as a result of your efforts the following corrections have been made to MVA&#8217;s web site. In particular note how our 3&#8242; law is summarized, big improvement. Thanks again to all who helped in this, and to our good friends in Maryland Highway Safety Office who helped a great deal. Hopefully there will be a few additional changes but we are off to a great start.]<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The laws referenced below are current as of October 2010, and can be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Transportation Article.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Header_2\">Take The High Road:&nbsp; Share The Road \u2013 It Belongs To Everyone<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Header_3\">You are responsible for controlling your vehicle as necessary to avoid a crash!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>By Maryland law, <strong>bicycles are vehicles<\/strong>.&nbsp; Bicyclists are authorized users of the roadway, and bicyclists have the same rights-of-way and the same duty to obey all traffic signals as motorists. But bicycles are less visible, quieter, and don\u2019t have a protective barrier around them. Motorists should drive carefully near bicyclists; even a slight mistake can result in serious injury or even death.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Header_3\">Traffic Laws for Motorists<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The driver of a vehicle passing another vehicle, including a bicycle, must pass <strong>at a safe distance and leave plenty of space<\/strong>.&nbsp; The driver should be able to see the passed vehicle in the rear view mirror before returning to the original lane. After passing you must make sure you are clear of the bicyclist before making any turns.<\/li>\n<li>Drivers shall exercise due care to <strong>avoid colliding<\/strong> with any bicycle, Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device (EPAMD), or motor scooter being ridden by a person.<\/li>\n<li>The driver of a vehicle must <strong>not pass any closer than three (3) feet<\/strong> to a bicycle or motor scooter if the bicycle is operated in a lawful manner. It is not lawful to ride against traffic.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>bicycle has the right of way<\/strong> when the motor vehicle is making a turn, and you must yield to bicycle.<\/li>\n<li>Motorists must <strong>yield the right-of-way<\/strong> to bicyclists riding in bike lanes and shoulders when these vehicle operators are entering or crossing occupied bike lanes and shoulders.<\/li>\n<li>When riding on a sidewalk, where such riding is permitted, or a bike path, a bicyclist <strong>may ride in a crosswalk<\/strong> to continue on their route. Motorists are required to yield right of way to a bicyclist operating lawfully in a crosswalk. So, look for bicycles coming from both directions. (TR \u00a721-101, \u00a721-202, &amp; \u00a721-1103)<\/li>\n<li>A person <strong>may not throw any object<\/strong> at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter.<\/li>\n<li>A person <strong>may not open the door<\/strong> of any motor vehicle with intent to strike, injure, or interfere with any person riding a bicycle, and EPAMD, or a motor scooter.<\/li>\n<li>Failing to yield right of way to a bicyclist, resulting in a crash in which the bicyclist is seriously injured can result in a &#36;1,000 fine and three points on your driving record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Header_3\">Traffic Laws for Bicyclists<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maryland&#8217;s <strong>traffic laws apply<\/strong> to bicycles and motor scooters. (TR \u00a7 21-1202)<\/li>\n<li>A bicycle may not carry a <strong>passenger<\/strong> unless it is specifically designed for and equipped with a seat for each passenger. (TR \u00a7 21-1203)<\/li>\n<li>Bicycles, motor scooters and EPAMDs are <strong>not permitted<\/strong> on any roads where the speed limit is more than 50 miles per hour or higher. (TR \u00a7 21-1205.1)<\/li>\n<li>A person riding a bicycle shall ride as <strong>close to the right side<\/strong> of the road as practicable and safe, except when:\n<ul>\n<li>Making or attempting to make a left turn;<\/li>\n<li>Operating on a one-way street;<\/li>\n<li>Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle;<\/li>\n<li>Avoiding pedestrians or road hazards;<\/li>\n<li>The right lane is a right turn only lane; or<\/li>\n<li>Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane (TR \u00a7 21-1205)\u00b7<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Where there is a <strong>bike lane<\/strong>, a person must use those and not ride a bicycle or motor scooter in the roadway except: (TR \u00a7 21-1205.1)\n<ul>\n<li>If passing safely cannot be done within the bike lane or shoulder;<\/li>\n<li>When preparing for a left turn; o To avoid hazards;<\/li>\n<li>When the bike lane is also a right turn or merge lane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A person riding a bicycle or motor scooter <strong>may not cling<\/strong> to any vehicle on the roadway. (TR \u00a7 21-124)<\/li>\n<li>A motor scooter may not be operated at a <strong>speed<\/strong> in excess of 30 mph. (TR \u00a7 21-1205.1)<\/li>\n<li>An EPAMD may not be operated at a <strong>speed<\/strong> in excess of 15 mph. (TR \u00a7 21-1205.1)<\/li>\n<li>A person <strong>cannot carry<\/strong> anything that prevents them from keeping both hands on the handlebars or that interferes with the view or balance of their bicycle, motor scooter, or EPAMD. (TR \u00a7 21-1206)<\/li>\n<li>A bicycle, motor scooter, or EPAMD <strong>may not be secured<\/strong> to a fire hydrant; a pole, meter, or device in a bus or taxi-loading zone; a pole, meter, or device within 25 feet of an intersection; or where it would obstruct or impede traffic. (TR \u00a7 21-1206)<\/li>\n<li>A person may not ride a bicycle, motor scooter, or EPAMD while wearing a <strong>headset or earplugs<\/strong> that cover both ears. (TR \u00a7 21-12010)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Header_3\">Helmets<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Helmets are required for everyone under the age of 16, including passengers, who ride their bicycles on the road, bicycle paths, or any public property. (TR \u00a7 21-1207.1)<\/li>\n<li>Helmets are also required for everyone under the age of 16 who are riding on a scooter or on in-line skates. (TR \u00a7 21-1207.2)<\/li>\n<li>The helmets must meet or exceed the standards of the American National Standards Institute, the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials. (TR \u00a7 21-1207.1)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Header_3\">Equipment Required<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A lamp is required on the front of a bicycle or motor scooter, if the bicycle or motor scooter is used on a highway when people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 1,000 feet. (TR \u00a7 21-1207)<\/li>\n<li>A red reflector on the rear is required if the bicycle or motor scooter is used on a highway when people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 1,000 feet. (TR \u00a7 21-1207)<\/li>\n<li>A bicycle or motor scooter may be equipped with a bell or other audible device, but not a siren or whistle. (TR \u00a7 21-1207<\/li>\n<li>A bicycle or motor scooter must be equipped with a brake. (TR \u00a7 21-1207)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mva.maryland.gov\/Driver-Safety\/Bicycle\/default.htm\">https:\/\/www.mva.maryland.gov\/Driver-Safety\/Bicycle\/default.htm<\/a><br \/>\nThe old 3&#8242; language can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baltimorespokes.org\/article.php?story=20101005122814769\">here<\/a> under &#8220;Poor Summary.&#8221;oldId.2010112221280034<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[B&#8217; Spokes: as a result of your efforts the following corrections have been made to MVA&#8217;s web site. In particular note how our 3&#8242; law is summarized, big improvement. Thanks again to all who helped in this, and to our good friends in Maryland Highway Safety Office who helped a great deal. Hopefully there will &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=185923680\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Current Bicycle Laws  (Phase one)&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"1","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-185923680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-biking-in-maryland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185923680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=185923680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185923680\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=185923680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=185923680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=185923680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}