Indiana Bicycle Law

Chapter 11  BICYCLES AND MOTORIZED BICYCLES

	9-21-11-1. Parents or guardians may not authorize or knowingly
permit children or protected persons to violate the chapter
--Applicability of chapter.--(a) The parent of a child and the
guardian of a protected person may not authorize or knowingly
permit the child or protected person to violate this chapter.

	(b) Subject to the exceptions stated, the provisions of this
chapter applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is
operated upon a highway or path set aside for the exclusive use
of bicycles.

	9-21-11-2.  Rights and duties of person riding bicycle.--A
person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all of the rights and
duties under this article that are applicable to a person who
drives a vehicle, except the following:

(1) Special regulations of this article

(2) Those provisions of this article that by their nature have
no application.

	9-21-11-3.  Bicyclist must be seated upon permanent and regular
attached seat--Carrying of another person upon bicycle
prohibited.--(a) A person propelling a bicycle may not:

(1) Ride other than upon a permanent and regular seat attached
to the bicycle; or (2) Carry any other person upon the bicycle
who is not seated upon a firmly attached and regular seat on the
bicycle.

	(b) A person may not ride upon a bicycle unless seated under
this section.

	9-21-11-4.  Number of persons that may be carried on
bicycle.--A bicycle may not be used to carry more persons at one
(1) time than the number for which the bicycle is designed and
equipped.

	9-21-11-5.  Bicycle and other similar vehicles may not be
attached to street car or vehicle.  A person upon a bicycle, a
coaster, roller skates, or a toy vehicle may not attach the
bicycle, coaster, roller skates, or toy vehicle or the person to
a street car or vehicle upon a roadway.

	9-21-11-6.  Prohibition against riding more than two
abreast--Exceptions--A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway
may not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts
of roadways set aside for exclusive use of bicycles.

	9-21-11-7.  Prohibition against carrying anything preventing
both hands from being kept upon handlebars.--A person who rides
a bicycle may not carry a package, a bundle, or an article that
prevents the person from keeping both hands upon the handlebars.

	9-21-11-8.  Bicycle to be equipped with bell or similar
device.--A person may not ride a bicycle unless the bicycle is
equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal
audible for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet.  A
bicycle may not be equipped with and a person may not use upon a
bicycle a siren or whistle.	

	9-21-11-9.  Times when bicycles to be equipped with lamps.--A
bicycle operated on a highway from one-half (1/2) hour after
sunset until one-half(1/2) hour before sunrise must be equipped
with following:

(1) A lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a
distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front.

(2) A lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a
distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear or a red
reflector visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to
the rear.

	9-21-11-10.  Bicycles to be equipped with brake.--A bicycle
must be equipped with a brake that will enable the person who
operates the bicycle to make the braked wheels skid on dry,
level, clean pavement.

	9-21-11-11.  Regulations and requirements of article to be
observed by bicyclists.--A person who operates a bicycle upon a
highway shall observe the regulations and requirements of this
article.

	9-21-11-12.  Restrictions on operation of motorized bicycles.

	9-21-11-13.  Protective headgear and glasses to be worn by
persons less than eighteen years of age operating or riding
motorized bicycle.

	9-21-11-14.  Penalty for violation of chapter. -- A person who
violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.



OTHER VEHICLE REGULATIONS

THAT AFFECT CYCLISTS

	9-13-2-15.  Bicycle.--"Bicycle" means any foot-propelled
vehicle, irrespective of the number of wheels in contact with
the ground.

	9-13-2-196.  Vehicle. --(a) "Vehicle" means, except as
otherwise provided in this section, a device in, upon, or by
which a person or property is, or may be, transported or drawn
upon a highway.

	(b) "Vehicle" for purposes of IC 9-14 through 9-18 [licensing,
registration], does not include following:

	(1) A device moved by human power.

	(c) For purposes of IC 9-20 and IC 9-21, [size and weight
regulations, and general traffic regulations;  IC 9-21 is the
section printed above] the term does not include devices moved
by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or
tracks. [an included note says, "a bicycle is not a 'vehicle'
because it is a device moved by human power. Sheptak v. Davis,
246 Ind. 499,5 Ind. Dec. 117, 205 N.E.2d 548 (1965)"]

	9-21-1-3.  Power of local authority with respect to streets and
highways under authority's jurisdiction.--(a) A local authority,
with respect to streets and highways under the authority's
jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police
power, may do the following:

(9) Regulate the operation of bicycles and require the
registration and licensing of bicycles, including the
requirement of a registration fee.

	9-21-5-7.  Motor vehicles driven at slow speed impeding or
blocking traffic.--A person may not drive a motor vehicle at a
slow speed that impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable
movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for
safe operation or in compliance with the law.  A person who is
driving at a slow speed so that three (3) or more other vehicles
are blocked and cannot pass on the left around the vehicle shall
give right-of-way to the other vehicles by pulling off to the
right of the right lane at the earliest opportunity and allowing
the blocked vehicles to pass.

	9-21-8-2.  Vehicles to be driven upon the right half of the
road -- Exceptions --Slow moving vehicles.--(a) Upon all
roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the
right half of the roadway except as follows:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in
the same direction under the rules governing overtaking and
passing.

(2) [areas under road construction]

(3) [roads with three lanes]

(4) [one-way streets]

	(b) Upon all roadways, a vehicle proceeding at less than the
normal speed of traffic at the time and place under the
conditions then existing shall be driven:

(1) In the right-hand lane then available for traffic; or

(2) As close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of
the roadway;except when overtaking and passing another vehicle
proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left
turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

	9-21-8-5.  Overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the
same direction -- The following rules govern the overtaking and
passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to
the limitations, exceptions, and special rules stated:

(1) A person who drives a vehicle overtaking another vehicle
proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the
other vehicle at a safe distance and may not again drive to the
right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken
vehicle.

	9-21-8-6.  Conditions allowing for overtaking and passing on
the right.--(a) A person who drives a vehicle may overtake and
pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following
conditions:

(2) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient
width for two (2) or more lanes of vehicles moving lawfully in
the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle.

	9-21-8-7.  Vehicle overtaking on left not to interfere with
safe operation of oncoming vehicles or vehicles overtaken. -- A
vehicle may not be driven on the left side of the center of the
roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in
the same direction unless the left side of the roadway is
clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient
distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be
completely made without interfering with the safe operation of a
vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or a vehicle
overtaken.  The overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand
side of the roadway before coming within one hundred (100) feet
of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

	9-2l-8-20. Use of highways by pedestrians, bicycles,
nonmotorized traffic, or motorcycles may be prohibited, -- The
Indiana department of transportation may by resolution or order
entered in its minutes, and local authorities may by ordinance,
with respect to any freeway or interstate highway system under
their respective jurisdictions, prohibit the use of a highway by
pedestrians, bicycles, or other nonmotorized traffic or by a
person operating a motor-driven cycle. The Indiana department of
transportation or the local authority adopting a prohibiting
regulation shall erect and maintain official signs on the
freeway or interstate highway system on which the regulations
are applicable. If signs are erected, a person may not disobey
the restrictions stated on the signs.

	9-21-8-37. Exercising due care and proper caution for
pedestrians, persons propelling human powered vehicles,
children, or confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated
persons.--Notwithstanding other provisions of this article or a
local ordinance, a person who drives a vehicle shall do the
following:

(1) Exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or a
person propelling a human powered vehicle, giving an audible
signal when necessary.

(2) Exercise proper caution upon observing a child or an
obviously confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated person.

	20-12-3.5-3.  Traffic and parking regulations.  Sec. 3.  The
governing board of the [college] institution may regulate the
traffic and parking of motor vehicles, bicycles, or other
vehicles as well as the traffic of pedestrians on, over and
across the streets, roads, paths and grounds of real property
owned, used, occupied or controlled by that institution.  Such
regulations applicable to traffic and parking may include, but
not be limited to, the following provisions:

	(a) Provisions governing the registration, speed, operation,
parking and times, places and manner of use of motor vehicles,
bicycles and other vehicles.

	(b)  Provisions prescribing penalties...

	(c)  Provisions establishing reasonable charges and fees for
the registration of vehicles and for the use of parking spaces
or facilities owned or occupied by the institution.

	(d)  This section does not limit or resrict the powers of any
other governmental authority having jurisdiction over public
streets, roads, or alleys or ways.