Louisiana Cycling Laws

For those who wish to see the laws regarding cycling in Louisiana, here they are as provided by the New Orleans Bicycle Club

LOUISIANA CYCLING LAWS

Below are some of the more rlelevant Louisiana laws pertaining to cycling, as of April, 2003.

Operation of bicycles; general provision The regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated hereafter.

Riding on bicycles A.
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent or regular seat attached thereto.
B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
C. A person operating a bicycle shall at all times keep at least one hand upon the handle bars thereof.

Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway, which includes an improved shoulder, may ride upon the improved shoulder.
C B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
D. Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.

Clinging to vehicles
No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach himself or the bicycle to any vehicle upon a highway.

Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles
Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Chapter, except as to special regulations in this Part and except as to those provisions of this Chapter which by their very nature can have no application.

Brakes on bicycles
Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

Bicycles; front lamps; side and rear reflectors
Every bicycle when in use at nighttime on a state highway, parish road, or city street shall be equipped with a lamp emitting a red flashing light or a red light on the rear of the bicycle, which has sufficient candle power so that such lamp projects light from all distances within one hundred feet to six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. After December 31, 2010, no person shall operate any bicycle at nighttime on a state highway, parish road, or city street, unless such bicycle is equipped with at least one lamp emitting a red flashing light or a red light on the rear. Any person who violates Subsection B of this Section subsequent to 17 December 31, 2010, shall be given a warning ticket only. This section shall not apply to bicycles while engaged in sanctioned competition races.

Louisiana RS 32.1 Roadway (Definition of Roadway in La. Motor Vehicle Code)
(59) "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. A divided highway has two or more roadways.

Vehicle (Definition of Vehicle in La. Motor Vehicle Code)
(92) "Vehicle" means every device by which persons or things may be transported upon a public highway or bridge, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. A bicycle or a ridden animal shall be a vehicle, and a trailer or semitrailer shall be a separate vehicle.

Highway (Definition of Highway in La. Motor Vehicle Code)
(25) "Highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel, including bridges, causeways, tunnels and ferries; synonymous with the word "street".

UVC § 1-173 [§ 1-186] Roadway (Definition of Roadway in Uniform Vehicle Code)
That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk, berm or shoulder even though such sidewalk, berm or shoulder is used by persons riding bicycles or other human powered vehicles. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.