Source: https://statecollegepa.us/998/Bike-Laws
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 03:26:47+00:00

Document:
TAKEN FROM VEHICLE LAW OF PENNSYLVANIA. Title 75.
§3501. Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.
(a) General rule. – Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, unless stated otherwise herein or by their nature have no application. (Bicycles are legally considered to be vehicles and are therefore required to obey all traffic laws accordingly. This includes regulation by traffic lights, stop signs, etc…).
§ 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. (Upon conviction a person will be required to pay a fine of $10 plus court costs bringing the amount paid to $78.00).
§ 3503. Responsibility of parent or guardian.
§ 3504. Riding on pedalcylces.
(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 child carrier which is securely attached to the pedalcycle or in a trailer which is towed by a pedalcycle.
§ 3505. Riding on roadways and pedalcycles paths.
(a) General rule. – Except as provided in subsection (b) and (c), every person operating a pedalcycle upon a road shall obey the rules of the road.
(b) Operation on shoulder. – A pedalcycle may be operated on the shoulder of a road and shall be operated in the same direction as required of vehicles.
(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.
(d) One-way roadways. – Any person operating a pedalcycle upon a one-way road which has two or more marked travel 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.
(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.
§ 3506. –Articles carried by operator.
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..
§ 3507. Lamps and other equipment on pedalcycles.
(a) Lamps and reflectors. – Every pedalcycle when in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a front lamp which emits white light intended to illuminate the operator’s path and visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front, a red rear 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 these requirements if they can be seen at the distances specified.
(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.
§ 3508. Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths.
(a) Right-of-way to pedestrians. – A person riding a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk or pedalcycle path 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.
(1) A person may park a pedalcycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic-control device.
(4) In all other respects, pedalcycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform with the provisions of Subchapter E or Chapter 33 (relating to stopping, standing and parking).
§ 3510. Pedalcycle helmets for certain persons.
(d) Penalty. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any violation of subsection (a) is punishable by a fine, including all penalties, assessments and court costs imposed on the convicted person not to exceed $25. The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of a person under 12 years of age whose conduct violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable with the person for the amount of the fine imposed.
(e) Definitions. – As used in this section, the term “wearing a pedalcycle helmet” means having a pedalcycle helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the helmet straps.
(b) Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed. – Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane 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.
§ 3314. Prohibiting use of hearing impairments devices.
(a) General rule. – No driver shall operate a vehicle while wearing or using one or more headphones or ear phones.
(b) Exception. – This section does not prohibit the use of hearing aides or other devices for improving the hearing of the driver nor does it prohibit the use of a headset in conjunction with a cellular telephone that only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear.
§ 3336. Method of giving hand and arm signals.
(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 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.
§ 3361. Driving vehicle at safe speed.
No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, nor at a speed greater than will permit the driver to bring his vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

References: §3501

§ 3502

§ 3503

§ 3504

§ 3505

§ 3506

§ 3507

§ 3508

§ 3510

§ 3314

§ 3336

§ 3361