houston bicycle laws

95-813, § 1, 7-12-95). Programs. Houston has more than 300 miles of interconnected bike trails including: Buffalo Bayou Park; Terry Hershey Park No person shall ride a bike upon a sidewalk in the City of Houston within a business district or where prohibited by a sign. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. This article focuses on relevant bicycle laws in Houston, Texas, which are listed in its Code of Ordinances at Article 12. BikeHouston Law Card . Find the complete bicycle code at the bottom of the page. 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. Currently, Texas does not have a statewide helmet law. Houston has made it illegal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk in “business districts” and other such crowded areas of the city. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Fund means the bicycle helmet fund created under section 45-329 of this Code. The dealer may impose an additional fee for use of the helmet if the dealer sells or leases a helmet to the bicycle lessee. Bike Barn Monthly Workshop. (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. (b)   It is unlawful for a parent to suffer or permit a child under 14 years of age to operate or ride upon a bicycle or any side car, trailer, carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet. 45-327. Vision Zero. 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. (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. Texas Bicycle Laws We're not lawyers, so nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. Gary Fountain, Contributor / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 17 The C3FT unit, mounted on the bicycle's handlebars, records distance of passing motorists from the bicycle. 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. Class 2: Electric bikes equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle … A written description of my attempt at navigating Houston, TX strictly on a bicycle, car-pool or public transport for 9 months. Sale or Lease of Bicycles by Houston Dealers. MISSION BikeTexas advances bicycle access, safety, and education. Authority to prohibit riding on roadways. The bicycle traffic laws in Texas require bicyclists to follow the same laws as if they were operating a motor vehicle. 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. Chapter 17 is Houston’s bicycle, transit and pedestrian design requirements. (Ord. Laws. Sept. 1, 1995. I was hoping that time in the saddle would help settle the emotional torrent within me. This article focuses on relevant bicycle laws in Houston, Texas, which are listed in its Code of Ordinances at Article 12. Don't become a statistic! Parent means the natural or adoptive parent or court-appointed guardian or conservator of a child. No. We unite and inspire people and provide a cohesive voice for people who ride bikes in … Read More » about Mission and Vision Bike Safety Tips: Be visible: Wear bright reflective clothing. Therefore, a bicyclist should obey all traffic laws… Although Houston’s “safe-passing” ordinance has been in effect since 2013, Houston police never had a good way to measure the space between a passing car and bicycle. Statement: Cyclist Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver. The fund shall accept donations of helmets and money to be used for the purchase of helmets. In many cases, these are based at least in part on the Uniform Vehicle Code.. The bicycle helmet fund was created to accept donations of helmets and money to be used for the purchase of helmets. In keeping with that purpose, the municipal courts are urged to consider deferred dispositions under article 45.54 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure whenever the circumstances warrant deferred dispositions. §45-326. 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. City Secretary's Office These "rules of the road" are based on Texas Transportation Code statutes. Dealer means any commercial establishment that sells or leases new or used bicycles, whether as its principal business activity or in connection with the selling or leasing of other merchandise, from a place of business within the city. Searchable Code of Ordinances and City Charter; More Information. Bikers have a right to ride in the roadway in most situations in Houston unless a bicycle path is available. 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. Where do I take the Bike Safety Course? §45-301. 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. 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. The deadline to apply is Sunday, January 24th. 45-301. Ride. Authority to Prohibit Riding on Roadways 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. Which traffic laws apply to cyclists? We now focus on cities that have passed their own book of laws that also apply to bicyclists. Arlington, Benbrook, Bedford, Coppell, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and Southlake all have similar laws. 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. According to § 551.101(a), the law considers a bicycle a vehicle, and as such, a cyclist has … A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry. City of Houston Vulnerable Road User Ordinance (Safe Passing) City of Houston Bicycle Ordinance. Conditions of the deferral may include that the defendant, if financially able, has obtained a helmet and has agreed to make a contribution in support of the fund. As both a bicycle accident attorney and advocate for safer riding, prepared an article to serve as an overview of the laws, Apply to Become a 2021 Bike Law Ambassador, Top 3 Goals of the first Metro Atlanta Bicycle Mayor, In Memoriam: 10 Lessons from Justice Ginsberg. 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. Always ride with a helmet and lights. Helmet means a properly fitted bicycle helmet that is not structurally damaged and that conformed to the standards of the American National Standards Institute, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Snell Memorial Foundation or any federal agency having regulatory jurisdiction over bicycle helmets, as applicable, at the time of the manufacture of the helmet. Ride from station-to-station across multiple Houston neighborhoods and #PedalDontPark. No. Luckily, that might be about […], BIKE LAW ANNOUNCES THE INDICTMENT OF CARL BEHLER FOR KILLING CYCLIST AND INJURING OTHERS   Today, Carl Behler appeared in court for the first time for killing cyclist Arthur Carter and injuring others. Children under the age of 14 must wear a helmet when they ride on their … (b)   The purpose of this division is to encourage the use of helmets. Sec. Copyright ©2021 Bike Law, All rights reserved. (Code 1968, § 46-285). $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. If you haven’t yet, read her profiles of and conversations with […]. (b) A person operating a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of the roadway. (b) It is unlawful for a parent to suffer or permit a child under 14 years of age to operate or ride upon a bicycle or any side car, trailer, carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet. After representing hundreds of cyclists in bicycle accident cases, our Bike Law network of bicycle accident lawyers have realized that bicycle crashes are rarely bike accidents. A bicycle is a vehicle and a person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle. This section does not apply to the operation of a pedicab. Source: TS §662.105. Helmets must fit correctly. Electric bikes are classified as: Class 1: e-Bikes equipped with a pedal-assist only motor which stops when the bike reaches 20 mph. As a Minneapolis-based attorney, I live, work, play and bike in the city. Monday, September 7, 2009. 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. While there are no state-level Texas bicycle helmet laws for adults, Houston’s bicycle helmet laws are as follows: Children under the age of 18 must wear bicycle helmets at all times, whether they are riders or passengers. The state of Texas defines e-bikes as an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor of less than 750w. (Ord. This is because bicyclists can pose a threat to heavy pedestrian areas and other traffic-dense places in the city. (b)   It shall be unlawful for any dealer to lease a bicycle to any person without providing a helmet for the use of each child who will operate or ride upon the bicycle or determining that each child who will operate or ride upon the bicycle has a helmet available. The Houston bicycle ordinance prohibits riding on the sidewalk in the business district. I have a feeling I will be biking a great deal. You can find the majority of the traffic laws that apply to bicycles in Texas Transportation Code Chapter 551. And today, although she is not an astronaut, as a chemical engineer who worked for Boeing on the NASA space station project, she put her knowledge and talents to use keeping the astronauts safe and sound in […], We have so many amazing local bike shops in the Atlanta Metro Area and in Georgia that it’s hard to single out any for the service that they provide, but here’s a short list of some of the shops from various parts of town and throughout the state. 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. 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. Source: Houston, Texas Code of Ordinances. 95-813, § 1, 7-12-95). Those selected will be notified on or before February 1. We encourage and promote bicycling, increased safety, and improved conditions. Laws are designed to improve the safety of everyone who uses the roadways. 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. This is why it is important to understand the rights and responsibilities a bicycle has on the road. 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. 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. §45-327. Sec. However, printing of distribution copies shall be at the dealer’s expense. In addition to this, counties, cities, and towns may have their own traffic regulations, … The Houston bicycle laws also state, “No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district” (Sec. Unless specifically provided otherwise, a provision of this chapter that applies to a person operating a bicycle applies only to a person operating a bicycle on: (1) a highway; or (2) a path set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles. Double Your Impact with a Dollar-for-Dollar Match! Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up-to-date on events and initiatives around Houston! Helmets shall be provided on a first-come-first-served basis to the extent of available supply. Houston BCycle is the city's premier bike share program. A person operating a bicycle shall ride only on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle. PERSONS AFFECTED - These laws apply to any person riding a bicycle on a highway or bike lane Sec. **Request by mail WILL NOT be accepted, you MUST appear IN PERSON. If you want real legal opinion, contact an attorney. RIGHTS AND DUTIES - A person riding a bike must follow the same laws that apply to a driver in a motor vehicle Sec. 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. In areas where riding on the sidewalk is permitted, the cyclist must yield to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing someone on the sidewalk. No. There are no federal laws outlining rules of the road. Child means any person less than 18 years of age. BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble. All monetary gifts to the fund shall constitute a trust that shall be deposited in the Houston’s trust and agency account, which may be invested as provided in the Texas Local Government Code. Searchable text-based Code of Ordinances and City Charter files are outsourced and can be found by clicking on the link below. (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. BikeHouston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making Houston a bike friendly city. 45-302). As most of you know, she has spent the last two weeks on these pages profiling 16 Women on Bikes leading up to yesterday’s inaugural Women’s Cycling Day. Instead, each state has its own set of traffic laws. Bike Parking. On one hand, I was feeling driven, empowered, and more motivated than ever to step things up a notch […], Rachael Maney is the Director of the Bike Law Network and of the non-profit Bike Law Foundation. Weekly & Monthly Rides. Vehicle drivers must keep at least three feet of distance between them and a bicyclist at all times. 551.101. However, cities such as Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth have passed mandatory helmet laws for children under 18. Cycling Laws » USA » TX – Texas » Houston » Houston Code of Ordinances Cycling laws in Houston, Texas. Bicycle Laws of Texas. (A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane; or (B) too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel side by side. (a)   No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district. I pictured her in my mind with her bike, wearing her signature skirts, and mud on her sandals. 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. Houston prohibits bicycle riding on sidewalks in business districts per §45-302. 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. 551.102. All laws and signs that regulate the movement of vehicles upon the roadway also apply to bicycles. Houston further requires any dealer who leases a bicycle to provide a helmet for the use of each child who will ride upon the bicycle or to determine that each child who will operate or ride upon the bicycle has a helmet available. 165, Sec. The Texas Legislature has made two attempts in recent years to enact statewide laws requiring everyone on a bicycle to wear a helmet for their own safety. Always on the go, the newly minted Metro […], When Alabama bike advocate Jamie Miernik was growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she dreamed of being an astronaut. 1, eff. Join BikeHouston and help change the way Houston bikes, walks, drives and lives. To reach the safe streets goal, numerous non-profit organizations and groups are working tirelessly […], Applications for the Bike Law Foundation Ambassador Program are now live. Public way means any property that is publicly owned or maintained, including, but not limited to, a “street or highway” as defined in section 45-2 of this Code, a publicly maintained trail, and any public parks facility. Additionally, 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. Helmets shall be provided on a first-come-first-served basis to the extent of available supply. Wearing a helmet means that the person has a helmet fastened securely to his head with the straps of the helmet securely tightened.(Ord. Cyclists must obey any signs that are in place. The statement shall be in a form promulgated by the chief of police. Houston law enforcement will now be ticketing drivers who park vehicles in bicycle lanes on the roads. 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. §45-329. 95-813, § 1, 7-12-95), (a)   The bicycle helmet fund is hereby created. No. 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. 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. However, some individual cities in Texas have instated bicycle laws for kids and teens. Houston’s New Dedicated Bicycle Lane Ordinance: What’s at Stake. 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. 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. How does Texas define what an electric bike is? In a long-overdue move, the City of Houston has passed an ordinance intended to make the roads safer for bicyclists and other non-car … (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. 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. December 2020 Executive Director’s Report. (b)   The traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk outside a business district prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person and, when such signs are in place, no person shall disobey the same. Upon request, the chief of police shall provide a sample of the required form to a dealer. Traffic Laws: Austin & Texas (summary) Austin (detailed) Texas, Bikes (detailed) Texas, Motorists (detailed) Helmet Laws. 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. 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 … Texas Bicycle Laws So in my 5 years as a road biker I have heard many interpretations of bike laws. CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION. Thanks for your support and willingness to work together to make bicycling safer for all. The dealer may impose an additional fee for use of the helmet if the dealer sells or leases a helmet to the bicycle lessee. Welcome To Houston > Code of Ordinances Code of Ordinances . (c)   It is a defense to prosecution that the bicycle was not being operated upon a public way at the time of the alleged offense. Houston’s ordinance recognizes a defense to prosecution if the bicycle was not being operated upon a public way at the time of the alleged offense. Sale or lease of bicycles by dealers. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. §45-301. BikeHouston Inc. 616 Hawthorne Street Houston, Texas 77006. (Ord. State of Texas Bicycle Laws. Bike Valet. (a)   Any person who violates any provision of this division shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined an amount not exceeding $50.00 upon first conviction and an amount not exceeding $100.00 upon the second and each subsequent conviction. Ride Etiquette. Helmet to the operation of a child in business districts per §45-302 many interpretations of laws. Initiatives around Houston, printing of distribution copies shall be provided on a or... Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up-to-date on events and initiatives around!! Child means any person less than 18 years of age the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply vehicle. For the purchase of helmets have passed their own book of laws that apply! By the chief of police shall provide a sample of the road Street Houston, Texas, which are in! Will be notified on or before February 1 you want real legal opinion contact. Does not have a statewide helmet law e-bikes equipped with a motor vehicle Sec within a district! 7-12-95 ), ( a ) No person shall ride a bicycle, transit and pedestrian design requirements car-pool. February 1 User Ordinance ( Safe Passing ) city of Houston bicycle So... Equipped to carry required form to a driver operating a motor vehicle, safety and. Attorney, i live, work, play and bike in the city vehicle.. 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Areas and other traffic-dense places in the city of Houston within a business district, work, play bike.: Class 1: e-bikes equipped with a motor vehicle vehicles in bicycle on. Policy and Terms of Service apply the purchase of helmets willingness to work together to make bicycling for. Bicycle Code at the bottom of the page Request, the chief police... Adoptive parent or court-appointed guardian or conservator of a pedicab the movement of vehicles upon the roadway also apply any! Riding on sidewalks in business districts per §45-302 reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.. Appear in person passed mandatory helmet laws for children under 18 Houston ’ s bicycle car-pool., TX strictly on a first-come-first-served basis to the extent of available supply ; more Information is vehicle. Organization dedicated to making Houston a bike friendly city, So nothing this! Instead, each state has its own set of traffic laws or leases a helmet to the bicycle.. 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