Source: https://www.childrensal.org/BicycleLaws
Timestamp: 2018-03-23 20:43:29
Document Index: 708510111

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', '§2', '§3', '§5', '§6', '§7']

Bicycle Laws Birmingham, Alabama (AL) - Children's of Alabama
Child Safety Institute
Classroom Training - Adult Medication Safety
Community Awareness Log
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Alabama Bicycle Helmet Law
Summary of law, Text of Law
Effective Date: 09/19/1995
Law Mandate: Under 16 required to wear a helmet.
Regulating Agency: Department of Public Safety
1st offense: counseling on bike safety
2nd offense: citation to child/parent
3rd offense: bike temporarily confiscated
All other offenses: $50 fine (effective 7/1/96)
Section 32-5A-280
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Brad Hudson-Alabama Bicycle Safety Act of 1995."
(Acts 1995, No. 95-198, p. 306, §1.)
(4) PASSENGER. Any person who travels on a bicycle in any manner except as an operator.
(5) PROTECTIVE BICYCLE HELMET. A piece of headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standard for protective bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, or which is otherwise approved by the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
(8) RESTRAINING SEAT. A seat separate from the saddle seat of the operator of the bicycle or a bicycle trailer or similar product that is fastened securely to the frame of the bicycle and is adequately equipped to restrain the passenger in the seat and protect the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.
(9) TRICYCLE. A three-wheeled human-powered vehicle designed for use by a child under the age of six.
(Acts 1995, No. 95-198, p. 306, §2.)
Section 32-5A-282
The purpose of this article is to reduce the incidence of disability and death resulting from injuries incurred in bicycling accidents by requiring that, while riding on a bicycle on public roadways, public bicycle paths, or other public rights-of-way, all operators and passengers who are under 16 years of age to wear approved protective bicycle helmets, and by requiring that all bicycle passengers who weigh less than 40 pounds or are less than 40 inches in height be seated in separate restraining seats.
(Acts 1995, No. 95-198, p. 306, §3.)
Section 32-5A-284
Duties of person regularly engaged in business of renting bicyles.
(a) A person regularly engaged in the business of renting bicycles shall require each person seeking to rent a bicycle to provide his or her signature either on the rental form or on a separate form indicating both of the following:
(1) Receipt of a written explanation of the provisions of this article and the penalties for violations.
(2) A statement concerning whether a person under the age of 16 years will operate the bicycle in an area where the use of a helmet is required.
(b) A person regularly engaged in the business of renting bicycles shall provide a helmet to any person who will operate the bicycle in an area requiring a helmet, if the person does not already have a helmet in his or her possession. A reasonable fee may be charged for the helmet rental.
(c) A person regularly engaged in the business of selling or renting bicycles who complies with this article shall not be liable in a civil action for damages for any physical injuries sustained by a bicycle operator or passenger as a result of the operator's or passenger's failure to wear a helmet or to wear a properly fitted or fastened helmet in violation of this article.
(Acts 1995, No. 95-198, p. 306, §5.)
Section 32-5A-285
Statewide bicycle safety education program; manner violations handled.
It is the legislative intent to implement an effective statewide bicycle safety education program to reduce disability and death resulting from improper or unsafe bicycle operation. Violations of Section 32-5A-283 shall be handled in the following manner:
(1) On the first offense, the police officer shall counsel and provide written information to the child relative to bicycle helmet safety. The officer shall instruct the child to deliver the written information to the parent.
(2) On the second offense, the police officer shall counsel the child and provide written information on bicycle helmet safety. A warning citation shall be issued to the child to give to the parent. The citation shall instruct the parent or guardian to contact the police department for further information about the law and where to obtain a bicycle helmet.
(3) Beginning on July 1, 1996, upon a third offense, the police officer shall counsel the child, confiscate the bicycle, and take the child to his or her residence. The officer shall then return the bicycle and give a warning ticket to the parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian is unavailable, the ticket shall be left at the residence with instructions to the parent or guardian to pick up the bicycle at the police department.
(4) Beginning on July 1, 1996, upon a fourth offense, the police officer shall confiscate the bicycle, take the child to his or her residence, whereupon a citation for fifty dollars ($50) will be issued to the parent or guardian of the child. No court costs nor fees may be added to the fine or penalty. The fine or penalty shall be waived or suspended if the operator or passenger presents by the court date, proof of purchase or evidence of having provided a protective bicycle helmet or restraining seat and intends to use or causes to be used or intends to cause to be used the helmet as provided by law.
(5) Any fine or penalty monies shall be earmarked and used separately by the local school system for the purpose of safety education or the local municipality for the purchase of helmets for the financially disadvantaged.
(6) The Traffic Safety Center of the University of Montevallo , in conjunction with the Child Safety Institute at Children's Hospital of Alabama , shall furnish all materials, handouts, brochures, and other information related to bicycle safety used by police departments.
(Acts 1995, No. 95-198, p. 306, §6.)
(Acts 1995, No. 95-198, p. 306, §7)