2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter X - Provisions Regarding the Use of Bicycles (§§ 5321 — 5324) › § 5322 - Use of bicycles on the public highway

The following acts shall be illegal with regard to the use and handling of bicycles on public highways:
(a) Carry on a bicycle more passengers than it can seat.
(b) Carry packages or objects that project beyond the ends of the handlebars on the front or back ends thereof, that prevent the rider from keeping at least one (1) hand on the handlebar of the bicycle.
(c) Ride away from the edge of the pavement, or the right side of the public highway, it being the duty of any person who rides a bicycle on the roadway to remain as close to the right-hand edge of the public highway as possible, and exercise due caution when passing a vehicle that is stopped, or one that is traveling in the same direction, except on roads or sectors of the highway that have been reserved for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(d) Allow a person riding a bicycle to or a similar vehicle or a toy vehicle to hang on to or attach itself to another on the public highway.
(e) Ride a bicycle that is not provided with a bell, or other device that is capable of emitting a signal that is audible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet on a public highway, except that no bicycle shall be equipped with a siren, nor shall any person use a bicycle that has been equipped with such type of device.
(f) Needlessly use the bell or other device required by subsection (e) of this section in the urban zone.
(g) Ride on the sidewalks or elevated structures designated for the exclusive use of pedestrians.
(h) Failing to be equipped during nighttime with a white headlight capable of emitting a white light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet on the front, and a red light or reflector on the back, which must be visible from any point within one hundred (100) to six hundred (600) feet from the rear of the bicycle when it is directly lighted by the low lights of the headlights of a motor vehicle. In addition to the red reflector, a light that emits a red light that is visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet from the rear of the bicycle may also be used.
(i) Ride a bicycle with defective brakes that are unable to stop the sprocket wheel on a dry, flat and clean pavement.
(j) Ride a bicycle if not seated on the permanent and regular seat affixed thereto.
(k) To ride a bicycle along the public thoroughfares or recreational centers without wearing a protective helmet that meets the requirements established by the Secretary through regulations, in accordance with the standards set by the American Standards Association for protective helmets, published Aug. 1, 1966, as these have been updated, amended or substituted.
(l) It is furthermore provided that:
(1) Any cyclist carrying as passenger a child of under four (4) years of age or weighing less than forty (40) pounds, must carry said child in a especially designed seat that protects the child from the moving parts of the bicycle.
(2) No child must be left alone in the special seat of the bicycle unless the cyclist is in immediate control of said bicycle.
(3) The owner of a business engaged in the sale of bicycles may not sell any bicycle which lacks an identification number permanently attached to or engraved on its frame, nor may said owner lease a bicycle to a minor of under sixteen (16) years of age if the latter does not have a protective helmet or if said owner fails to provide the minor with such a helmet when leasing the bicycle. Furthermore, said owner shall provide written information as to the standards regulating the use of bicycles established in this chapter and shall maintain a register indicating that said information has been received. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of an administrative fault and sanctioned with a fine of not more tha[n] fifty dollars ($50).
Every person who violates the provisions of this section shall incur an administrative fault and shall be punished with a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50). In the event that as a result of the violation of any of the provisions established herein a traffic accident or any accident is caused in which a pedestrian is involved, the administrative fine shall be of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 11.02; Aug. 31, 2000, No. 250, § 1; renumbered as § 11.03 and amended on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.