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Title 75 of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
contains the laws which govern the operation of vehicles on Pennsylvania
roads.
In Pennsylvania,
a bicycle is considered a vehicle and, as such, is governed by a
general set of rules (common to all vehicles) and a specific set
of rules (designed for bicycles). The following annotated list provides
all of the important sections of the Vehicle Code which a Pennsylvania
bicyclist should know. Keep in mind that the laws themselves often
describe only what a bicyclist is required to do, not how to do
it. This manual addresses how to bicycle safely and efficiently
by following the rules of the road.
Chapter 33
- OPERATION OF VEHICLES
Section 3336.
Method of giving hand and arm signals.
All
signals given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side
of the vehicle in the following manner except as indicated for pedalcycles
and motorcycles and the signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) For a left turn, the hand and arm shall be extended horizontally.
(2) For a right turn, the left hand and arm shall be extended upward,
except that the operators of motorcycles and pedalcycles may also
be permitted to signal a right turn by extending the right hand
and arm horizontally.
(3) To stop or decrease speed, the left hand and arm shall be extended
downward.
Chapter 35
- SPECIAL VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS
Subchapter A - Operation of Pedalcycles (Bicycles)
Section 3501.
Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.
(a) General rule. -- Every person riding a pedalcycle upon
a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject
to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this
title, except as to special provisions in this subchapter and except
as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have
no application.
(b) Application
of subchapter. -- The provisions of this subchapter apply whenever
a pedalcycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside
for the exclusive use of pedalcycles subject to the exceptions stated
in subsection (a).
Comment:
Bicycles are considered vehicles under Pennsylvania Laws and must
obey all the rules of the road which apply to vehicles. These
are the "responsibilities" mentioned above. The "rights"
refer to the roadway space required to operate the bicycle in
a safe, lawful manner.
Section 3502.
Penalty for violation of subchapter.
Any person violating any provision of this subchapter is guilty
of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to
pay a fine of $10.
Section 3503.
Responsibility of parent or guardian.
The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize
or knowingly permit the child or ward to violate any of the provisions
of this title relating to the operation of pedalcycles.
Section 3504.
Riding on pedalcycles.
(a) Use of seat by operator. -- A person propelling a pedalcycle
shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular
seat attached to the pedalcycle.
(b) Number
of riders. -- No pedalcycle shall be used to carry more persons
at one time than the number for which the pedalcycle is designed
and equipped, except that an adult rider may transport a child in
a pedalcycle or in a child carrier which is securely attached to
the pedalcycle or in a trailer which is towed by a pedalcycle.
Section 3505.
(a) General rule. -- Except as provided in subsections (b)
and (c), every person operating a pedalcycle upon a highway shall
obey the applicable rules of the road as contained in this title.
Comment:
This statement reiterates the necessity for cyclists to conform
to the expectations of other road users in order to ensure the
safety of all.
(b) Operation
on shoulder. -- A pedalcycle may be operated on the shoulder
of a highway and shall be operated in the same direction as required
of vehicles operated on the roadway.
Comment:
A bicycle may be operated on either a shoulder or on the roadway
(the travel lanes). The locations will be based upon traffic volume,
the physical condition of the travel lanes or the shoulder, traffic
speed, the bicyclist's intended direction, and other safety factors.
(c) Slower
than prevailing speeds.-- A pedalcycle operated at slower than
prevailing speed shall be operated in accordance with the provisions
of Section 3301(b), unless it is unsafe to do so.
[3301(b).
Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed.
Upon all roadways, any vehicles proceeding at less than the normal
speed of traffic at the time and place under the conditions than
existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available
for traffic, or 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 an alley, private road
or driveway. This subsection does not apply to a driver who must
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to
continue on his intended route.]
Comment:
Taken together, 3505 (c) and 3301 (b) state that slower vehicles
should keep to the right, which is the normal expectation of all
road users, while permitting bicyclists to make movements consistent
with their intended route.
(d) One-way
roadways. -- Any person operating a pedalcycle upon a roadway,
which carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more
marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge
of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing
a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
Comment:
Bicycles may ride in the left lane of a one-way street which contains
two or more lanes. However, this does not apply to pedalcyclists
on freeways. See Section 3511(d), below.
(e) Limitation
on riding abreast. -- Persons riding pedalcycles upon a roadway
shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of
roadways set aside for the exclusive use of pedalcycles.
Section 3506.
No person operating a pedalcycle shall carry any package, bundle
or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand
upon the handlebars.
Section 3507.
Lamps or other equipment on pedalcycles.
(a) Lamps and reflectors. -- Every pedalcycle when in use
between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a
lamp which emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the
pedalcycle operator's path and visible from a distance of at least
500 feet to the front, a red reflector facing to the rear which
shall be visible at least 500 feet to the rear, and an amber reflector
on each side. Operators of pedalcycles may supplement the required
front lamp with a white flashing lamp, light-emitting diode or similar
device to enhance their visibility to other traffic and with a lamp
emitting a red flashing lamp, light emitting diode or similar device
visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. A lamp or lamps
worn by the operator of a pedalcycle shall comply with the requirements
of this subsection if the lamp or lamps can be seen at the distances
specified.
Comment:
Many car-bike crashes occur at night and involve a poorly illuminated
bicyclist. Bicyclists should understand that headlamps serve two
purposes: a) primarily, they advise other road users of their
presence (vitally important to prevent unsuspecting motorists
from cutting across the paths of cyclists they cannot even detect),
b) secondarily, illuminate the bicyclist's path.
(b) Audible
signal devices. - A pedalcycle may be equipped with a device
capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100
feet except that a pedalcycle shall not be equipped with nor shall
any person use upon a pedalcycle any siren.
(c) Brakes.
- Every pedalcycle shall be equipped with a braking system which
will stop the pedalcycle in 15 feet from an initial speed of 15
miles per hour on a dry, level and clean pavement.
Section 3508.
Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths.
(a) Right-of-way to pedestrians.-- A person riding a pedalcycle
upon a sidewalk or pedalcycle path used by pedestrians shall yield
the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal
before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
(b) Business
districts.-- A person shall not ride a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk
in a business district unless permitted by official traffic-control
devices, nor when a usable pedalcycle-only lane has been provided
adjacent to the sidewalk.
Section 3509.
Parking.
(a) Sidewalks.
(1) A person may park a pedalcycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited
or restricted by an official traffic-control device.
(2) A pedalcycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal
and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.
(b) Roadways.
(1) A pedalcycle may be parked on the roadway at any angle to the
curb or edge of the roadway at any location where parking is allowed.
(2) A pedalcycle may be parked on the roadway abreast of another
pedalcycle or pedalcycles near the side of the roadway at any location
where parking is allowed.
(3) A person shall not park a pedalcycle on a roadway in such a
manner as to obstruct the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.
(4) In all other respects, pedalcycles parked anywhere on a highway
shall conform with the provisions of Subchapter E of Chapter 33
(relating to stopping, standing and parking).
Section 3510.
Pedalcycle helmets for certain persons.
(a) General rule.-- A person under 12 years of age shall
not operate a pedalcycle or ride as a passenger on a pedalcycle
unless the person is wearing a pedalcycle helmet meeting the standards
of the AmericanStandards Institute, the American Society for Testing
and Materials, the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standards for Protective
Headgear for Use in Bicycling or any other nationally recognized
standard for pedalcycle helmet approval. This subsection shall also
apply to a person who rides:
(1) upon
a pedalcycle while in a restraining seat attached to a pedalcycle;
or
(2) in a trailer towed by a pedalcycle.
Comment:
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation strongly recommends
that all bicyclists wear approved helmets whenever they ride.
Section 3511.
Pedalcycles prohibited on freeways.
(a) General rule.-- No person shall ride a pedalcycle on
a freeway.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) On State-designed freeways, pedalcycles may be authorized under
the following limitations:
(i) The pedalcycler
is 16 years of age or older and is accompanied by a pedalcycler
18 years of age or older.
(ii) A written
request for review of the freeway route based on the potential
unavailability of a reasonable alternate route is made to the
department.
(iii) The
department determines that no reasonable alternate route exists.
(iv) The department
publishes a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin authorizing pedalcycle
access to the freeway. The notice shall constitute approval for
the persons authorized under subparagraph (i) to ride a pedalcycle
on the State-designated freeway.
(c) Action
by local authorities.-- Action taken by local authorities regarding
permission to use pedalcycles on freeways under their jurisdiction
shall be:
(1) by ordinance
of the local governing body; or
(2) by a commission or public official authorized to act on specified
matters.
(d) Operation
on shoulder.- - If the department authorizes pedalcycle access
to a freeway, the pedalcycle shall be operated upon the shoulder
of that freeway whenever practicable.
Comment:
Bicycles may be permitted on freeways in Pennsylvania with permission
of the Department. The applicant must submit a written request
(form) to the Department for review. In addition, Section 3511(d)
requires the bicycle to be ridden on the shoulder of the freeway.
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