Source: https://www.schollelaw.com/georgia-bicycle-law-requiring-cyclists-to-stay-on-right-side-of.html
Timestamp: 2019-06-25 22:34:45
Document Index: 603704747

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 40', '§ 6', '§ 68', '§ 1', '§ 5', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 3']

Georgia Bicycle Law Requiring Cyclists to Stay on Right Side of Roadways and the Requirements for Bike Paths in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-294)
Legal Commentary. This Georgia bicycle statute ostensibly protects Georgia riders by requiring them to “know their place” on Georgia roadways. This can have serious implications if a Georgia bicycle rider is a victim of a cycling accident or a child suffers serious injury or wrongful death from a bicycle accident.
Under this law, Georgia bicycle riders are required to stay as far to the right as is practicable, except under certain circumstances, such as turning left or to avoid hazards. Because cyclists are allowed to ride on paved shoulders, there is always the argument that an injured rider could have been more to the right if they were on the roadway at all. not only can a bicycle rider be cited by law enforcement for violation of this statute, but such a statue can be used to deny an injured rider compensation from the operator of a motor vehicle who causes an accident. This is because the negligent motorist can use any violation of this statute to claim that the cyclist was negligent themselves. Under Georgia law, if such a driver can show that the cyclist’s negligence was equal to his own, he can win a civil case.
The statute also includes a provision that bicycle riders cannot ride more than two together, side by side. See the full text below:
Section 40-6-294 Bicycle Riders to Ride on Right Side of Roadway and not More Than Two Abreast; Requirement to use Bike Path if Available; Requirements for Bike Paths
There is a right turn only lane and the person operating the bicycle is not turning right;
HISTORY: Ga. L. 1973, p. 471, § 6; Code 1933, § 68A-1205, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 633, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1546, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1995, p. 271, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 236, § 2; Ga. L. 2011, p. 426, § 3/HB 101.