However, cities such as Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth have passed mandatory helmet laws for children under 18. This is why it is important to understand the rights and responsibilities a bicycle has on the road. 95-813, § 1, 7-12-95), (a)   It is unlawful for any child to operate or ride upon a bicycle or any side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet. All laws and signs that regulate the movement of vehicles upon the roadway also apply to bicycles. A person operating a bicycle shall ride only on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle. Sale or Lease of Bicycles by Houston Dealers. Sec. Weekly & Monthly Rides. Houston requires the use of a helmet for any child who rides on a bicycle or any side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle. 165, Sec. BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble. Unfortunately, bicycles don’t provide riders with nearly as much protection as motor vehicles, and bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries and even death. Moreover, this section mandates that bicyclists properly on a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. Texas is teeming with bicyclists, especially in large cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin where many Texans rely on bicycles as their primary form of transportation. (b)   The fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose of providing bicycle helmets for the use of members of “very low income families” as defined in 24 Code of Federal Regulations, section 813.102, as computed for the city for purposes of section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. $10 fee to the City of Houston to take the ticket dismissal option; If you opt to request the BSC Deferred Disposition in person on your court date, be prepared to pay to post a bond as set by the court, a court cost, plus a $10 fee. Currently, Texas does not have a statewide helmet law. Children under the age of 14 must wear a helmet when they ride on their … A written description of my attempt at navigating Houston, TX strictly on a bicycle, car-pool or public transport for 9 months. Ride. Vehicle drivers must keep at least three feet of distance between them and a bicyclist at all times. Searchable Code of Ordinances and City Charter; More Information. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. Source: Houston, Texas Code of Ordinances. Source: TS §662.105. Welcome To Houston > Code of Ordinances Code of Ordinances . This section further provides that a traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk outside a business district prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person. Helmets must fit correctly. 551.102. As both a bicycle accident attorney and advocate for safer riding, I previously prepared an article to serve as an overview of the laws that apply to riders while bicycling in Texas. Upon request, the chief of police shall provide a sample of the required form to a dealer. (Ord. A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry. If you have any questions about these laws or how they may apply, please feel free to contact us via email or phone (1-844-531-7530) to discuss this topic further. However, some individual cities in Texas have instated bicycle laws for kids and teens. According to § 551.101(a), the law considers a bicycle a vehicle, and as such, a cyclist has … As a Minneapolis-based attorney, I live, work, play and bike in the city. Helmets shall be provided on a first-come-first-served basis to the extent of available supply. In the State of Texas, electric bicycles are defined as bikes that are powered by an electric motor that have a top speed of 20 MPH on level ground.You don’t need a driver’s license or anything else to ride one, but you also can’t drive on highways. For example, bicycle helmets are required for children when riding their bikes on public streets, sidewalks, or park property in Arlington, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Benbrook, Bedford, Coppell and Southlake. Texas provides that its state traffic laws shall not prevent a local authority, with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction and in the reasonable exercise of the police power, from the operation and requiring registration and licensing of a bicycle or electric bicycle, including payment of a registration fee. I was hoping that time in the saddle would help settle the emotional torrent within me. The traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs on any roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon and, when such signs are in place, no person shall disobey the same. Houston has made it illegal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk in “business districts” and other such crowded areas of the city. 95-813, § 1, 7-12-95), (a)   The bicycle helmet fund is hereby created. (c)   Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. Which traffic laws apply to cyclists? Houston BCycle is the city's premier bike share program. In this division the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning: Child means any person under 18 years of age. CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION. We used a number of sources to verify rules regarding bicycles on sidewalks, including non-profit Bike Houston and the City of Houston’s bicycle ordinance. He was indicted on Friday (12/18) by the Anne Arundel County Grand Jury and promptly arrested and detained for 7 crimes related […], When I (Maria of Bike Law Georgia) called Pattie Baker, the first Metro Atlanta Bicycle Mayor, she was trudging through marshland on her bicycle on Alpharetta’s Big Creek Greenway. This section does not apply to the operation of a pedicab. Laws. Programs. Copyright ©2021 Bike Law, All rights reserved. 1, eff. The fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose of providing bicycle helmets for the use of members of “very low income families.” The directors of the parks and recreation department and the health and human services department shall jointly administer the fund and shall promulgate rules and procedures for the distribution of helmets. Although my city might be known for its lakes and our infamous Juicy Lucy, Minneapolis’ dedication to having safer streets for all should be included in that list. Houston’s traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs on any roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon and, when such signs are in place, no person shall disobey the same. (d)   It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section, upon first offense only, that the person owns or has acquired a helmet prior to the court hearing and promises the court that the helmet will be used in the future. Bike Safety Tips: Be visible: Wear bright reflective clothing. Bikers have a right to ride in the roadway in most situations in Houston unless a bicycle path is available. However, printing of distribution copies shall be at the dealer’s expense. Don't become a statistic! We encourage and promote bicycling, increased safety, and improved conditions. This means they have to stop at red lights; yield at yield signs; use hand signals when changing lanes, stopping, or turning; and obey all traffic laws and ordinances. No. Authority to prohibit riding on roadways. In many cases, these are based at least in part on the Uniform Vehicle Code.. Traffic Laws: Austin & Texas (summary) Austin (detailed) Texas, Bikes (detailed) Texas, Motorists (detailed) Helmet Laws. 95-813, § 1, 7-12-95). §45-301. As a general matter, it is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation. (a)   It shall be unlawful for any dealer to sell a bicycle, bicycle side car, trailer or child carrier without providing a written statement to the purchaser advising of the terms of this division. Houston’s New Dedicated Bicycle Lane Ordinance: What’s at Stake. The fund shall accept donations of helmets and money to be used for the purchase of helmets. Houston prohibits bicycle riding on sidewalks in business districts per §45-302. We are committed to you, to one another, and […], It happens all the time: Someone emails me video footage, clearly showing they were biking along when a car buzzes past, coming within inches of a horrible crash — and there’s nothing I can do about it because we don’t have the laws in place to do something to help. Bike Valet. Bike Barn Monthly Workshop. City Secretary's Office No. Cyclists must obey any signs that are in place. All monetary gifts to the fund shall constitute a trust that shall be deposited in the city’s trust and agency account, which may be invested as provided in chapter 104 of the Texas Local Government Code. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Fund means the bicycle helmet fund created under section 45-329 of this Code. §45-326. The bicycle traffic laws in Texas require bicyclists to follow the same laws as if they were operating a motor vehicle. The dealer may impose an additional fee for use of the helmet if the dealer sells or leases a helmet to the bicycle lessee. (Ord. There are no federal laws outlining rules of the road. This article focuses on relevant bicycle laws in Houston, Texas, which are listed in its Code of Ordinances at Article 12. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for any dealer to sell a bicycle, bicycle side car, trailer or child carrier without providing a written statement to the purchaser advising of the terms of this division. This article focuses on relevant bicycle laws in Houston, Texas, which are listed in its Code of Ordinances at Article 12. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Bicycle Laws of Texas. The directors of the parks and recreation department and the health and human services department shall jointly administer the fund and shall promulgate rules and procedures for the distribution of helmets. Texas provides that its state traffic laws shall not prevent a local authority, with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction and in the reasonable exercise of the police power, from the operation and requiring registration and licensing of a bicycle or electric bicycle, including payment of a registration fee. Eight Great Local Bike Shops in Georgia […], Last month after Justice Ginsberg passed away, I went on one of those long solo rides to pedal things out. Thanks for your support and willingness to work together to make bicycling safer for all. (a)   No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district. Parent means the natural or adoptive parent or court-appointed guardian or conservator of a child. 45-301. These "rules of the road" are based on Texas Transportation Code statutes. Houston Bike Plan The City of Houston Planning & Development Department in coordination with the Department of Public Works & Engineering and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department led … No person shall ride a bike upon a sidewalk in the City of Houston within a business district or where prohibited by a sign. December 2020 Executive Director’s Report. Cycling Laws » USA » TX – Texas » Houston » Houston Code of Ordinances Cycling laws in Houston, Texas. Reflective clothing riding on sidewalks in business districts per §45-302 additional fee for use of the page apply bicycles... 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