An Act To Update and Clarify the Laws Governing the Operation of Bicycles on Public Roadways
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1460
Committee Amendment CA_A_H221 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2070

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "ft" to H.P. 1045, L.D. 1460, Bill, "An Act To 
Update and Clarify the Laws Governing the Operation of Bicycles on Public Roadways" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 1 to 3. 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 5. 
Amend the bill in section 6 in subsection I-A by striking out all of the blocked 
paragraph (page 1, lines 31 to 34 in L.D.) 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 6 the following; 
'Sec. 7. 29 ... A MRSA §2060, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
2. Left turns on 2-way roadways. At an intersection where traffic is permitted to 
move in both directions on each way entering the intersection, an approach for a left tum 
must be made in that portion of the right half of the way nearest the center line and by 
passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection. After entering the 
intersection, an operator must make the left tum so as to leave the intersection to the right 
of the center line of the roadway being entered. 
When practicable, the left tum must be made in that portion of the intersection to the left 
of the center of the intersection. 
An operator intending to tum to the left must yield the right-of-way to a vehiole traffic 
approaching from the opposite direction that is so close as to constitute an immediate 
hazard.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 7 to 14 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 7. 29 ... A MRS A §2063, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2009, c. 484, §5, is 
further amended to read: 
2. Riding to the right. A person operating a bicycle or roller skis upon a roadway at 
a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "An to H.P. 1045, L.D. 1460 
place shall ffi:i.¥e operate on the right portion of the way as far as practicable except when 
it is unsafe to do so as determined by the bicyclist or roller skier or: 
A. 
When overtaking and passing another roller skier, bicycle or other vehicle 
proceeding in the same direction; 
B. When preparing for or making a left tum at an intersection or into a private road 
or driveway; 
C. When proceeding straight in a place where right turns are permitted; and 
D. When necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, 
fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, roller skiers, pedestrians, animals, broken 
pavement, glass, sand, puddles, ice, surface hazards or opening doors from parallel-
parked vehicles, or a lane of substandard width that makes it unsafe to continue along 
the right portion of the way. For purposes of this paragraph, "lane of substandard 
width" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or roller skier and a vehicle to 
travel safely side by side in the lane. 
This subsection does not apply in a municipality that, by ordinance approved by the 
Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation, makes other 
provisions regarding the operating location of a bicycle or roller skier on a roadway. 
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §2070, sub-§l-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 484, §6, is 
I 9 
further amended to read: 
1-A. Passing bicycle or roller skier. An operator of a motor vehicle that is passing 
a bicycle or roller skier proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care by 
leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle or roller skier of not less 
than 3 feet while the motor vehicle is passing the bicycle or roller skier. A motor vehicle 
operator may pass a bicycle or roller skier traveling in the same direction in a no-passing 
zone only when it is safe to do so. 
The collision of a motor vehicle with a person operating a bicycle or roller skis is prima 
facie evidence of a violation of this subsection. I 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
S~RY 
This amendment does the following. 
1. It retains the provision in the bill that amends the definition of "traffic" to include 
bicycles. 
2. It retains the provision in the bill that prohibits the operator of a motor vehicle 
from making a right turn near a bicyclist or roller skier unless the turn can be made in a 
manner that does not interfere with the safe and legal operation of the bicycle or roller 
skis. 
It strikes the provision in the bill that establishes a rebuttable presumption of 
negligence on the part of the operator of a motor vehicle making or attempting to make 
the right turn if that action is immediately followed by a collision or accident involving a 
bicyclist or roller skier. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"~" to H.P. 1045, L.D. 1460 
3. It strikes all other provisions in the bill. 
4. It includes bicycles in the "traffic" to which an operator intending to turn to the 
left must yield the right-of-way when the traffic is approaching from the opposite 
direction and is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. 
5. In the provision of law that requires a person operating a bicycle or roller skis 
upon a roadway to operate on the right portion of the way as far as practicable except 
when it is unsafe to do so, it specifies that the determination of safety is made by the 
bicyclist or roller skier. 
6. Current law requires the operator of a motor vehicle, when passing a bicyclist or 
roller skier, to leave a distance of at least 3 feet between the motor vehicle and the 
bicyclist or roller skier. The amendment provides that the collision of a motor vehicle 
with a person operating a bicycle or roller skis is prima facie evidence of a violation of 
the 3-foot distance requirement. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT