Always know the law! Here is a listing of the current bike laws in New Orleans, which are dictated by local municipal code as well as Louisiana State laws:
Sources:
https://www.crpc-la.org/crpc_new/Documents/NMP/LAbicyclelaws.pdf
Read up on Louisiana Bike Laws with Bike Law and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/Multimodal/Highway_Safety/Bicycle_Ped/Pages/La_Bicycle_Laws.aspx
Louisiana Bike Guide has a compilation of state and local bike laws as well: http://labikeguide.org/rules/
Last Updated: July 2014 – Please keep up to date as this list may not be complete, and laws and codes do change!
New Orleans Municipal Codes:
Sec. 154-1401. Effect of regulations.
It is a violation of this article for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this article. These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or sidewalk, subject to those exceptions herein stated.
(Code 1956, § 38-190)
Sec. 154-1402. Responsibility of parent or guardian.
No parent of a child or tutor or curator of a minor or incompetent person shall authorize or knowingly permit any such child, minor or incompetent person to violate any of the provisions of this article.
(Code 1956, § 38-191)
Sec. 154-1403. Registration required.
No person who resides in the city shall ride or propel a bicycle upon any street unless such bicycle has been registered and a registration sticker is attached thereto. This section shall be applicable to new residents of the parish at the expiration of 90 days.
(Code 1956, § 38-192)
Sec. 154-1404. Registration application and fee.
(a) Application for a bicycle registration shall be made upon the form provided by and shall be made to the superintendent of police. There shall be a registration fee of $3.00 for all bicycles with a 20-inch wheel size or larger. The dealer shall collect such fee at the time of sale, issue bicycle registration decal, and remit the fee to the superintendent of police along with the application for registration.
(b) This charge becomes effective as of February 1, 1987.
(c) Exemption for the payment of fees shall be for all bicycles under the cost of $100.00.
(Code 1956, § 38-193)
Sec. 154-1405. Issuance of registration; record.
(a) The superintendent of police or any police officer assigned such duty by him, or the superintendent of fire or any employee of the department of fire when assigned such duty in writing by the mayor, upon receiving proper application therefor, may issue a bicycle registration sticker to the owner thereof. Each new owner shall register such bicycle in accordance with the provisions of this article. They shall not register any bicycle when they know or have reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is not the owner of or entitled to the possession of such bicycle.
(b) The superintendent of police and the superintendent of fire shall keep a record of the number of each registration, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued and the number on the frame of the bicycle for which issued and a record of all bicycle registration fees collected by them.
(c) It shall be the duty of the superintendent of fire to forward a true copy of the record of each registration made by him, or any employee of the department of fire, to the superintendent of police.
(d) The superintendent of police may authorize bicycle dealers to register and attach registration stickers to bicycles. All such persons authorized to register and attach registration stickers to bicycles shall forward immediately to the superintendent of police true copies of such registration. It shall be a misdemeanor to fail to furnish such copies or to furnish false or fraudulent records to the superintendent of police.
(Code 1956, § 38-194)
Sec. 154-1406. Attachment of registration sticker.
The superintendent of police or other authorized person upon issuing a bicycle registration shall also issue a registration sticker bearing the registration number assigned to the bicycle, and the name of the city. The superintendent of police or other authorized person shall cause such registration sticker to be firmly attached to the frame of the bicycle for which it has been issued in such a position as to be plainly visible. No person shall remove a registration sticker from a bicycle during the period of ownership for which it is issued except in the event the bicycle is dismantled and no longer operated upon any street in the city.
(Code 1956, § 38-195)
Sec. 154-1407. Inspection of bicycles.
The superintendent of police or other authorized person assigned to such responsibility may inspect each bicycle before registering it and shall refuse to register any bicycle which he determines is in unsafe mechanical condition.
(Code 1956, § 38-196)
Sec. 154-1408. Transfer of ownership.
Upon the sale or other transfer of a registered bicycle, the new owner shall obtain a new registration as is required under section 154-1404.
(Code 1956, § 38-197)
Sec. 154-1409. Rented bicycles to be registered.
A rental agency shall not rent or offer any bicycle for rent unless the bicycle is registered and a registration sticker is attached thereto and such bicycle is equipped with the lamp and other equipment required in this article.
(Code 1956, § 38-198)
Sec. 154-1410. Reports of bicycle dealers, and requiring of bills of sale.
(a) Every person engaged in the business of buying or selling new or used bicycles shall keep a record of every bicycle purchased or sold by such dealer, giving the name and address of the person from whom it was purchased or to whom it was sold, a description of such bicycle by name or make, the frame number thereof and the number of the registration sticker, if any, found thereon.
(b) In every sale of a bicycle, the seller shall furnish the buyer with a bill of sale showing the information required in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The seller shall attach a registration sticker if the bicycle is sold to a resident of the city or if such bicycle is to be used in the city.
(Code 1956, § 38-199)
Sec. 154-1411. Traffic laws applicable to persons riding bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic laws of the city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as otherwise provided in this article and except as to those provisions of law which by their nature, can have no application.
(Code 1956, § 38-200)
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:194.
Sec. 154-1412. Obedience to traffic control devices.
Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs, and other traffic control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right, left, or “U” turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such signs, except when such person dismounts from the bicycle to make any such turn, such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
(Code 1956, § 38-201)
Sec. 154-1413. Failure to stop in event of accident.
Any person who, while riding or propelling a bicycle or other vehicle or instrument of that general character, shall run against, upon or over any person upon the public highways or the property of any person in his personal possession or use in such a manner as might do an injury or cause damage to such person or property and shall not stop at once to ascertain the extent of such injury and to render such assistance as may be needed or shall refuse to give his name and residence when asked for by the person so injured or by any other person in his behalf shall be guilty of an offense.
(Code 1956, § 38-202)
Sec. 154-1414. One-handed steering.
Every rider of a bicycle, tricycle or other vehicle propelled by hand or foot must keep at least one hand on the handlebars of his machine when riding it.
(Code 1956, § 38-203)
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:195.
Sec. 154-1415. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(Code 1956, § 38-204)
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:197.
Sec. 154-1416. Riding on sidewalks.
No person 15 or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in the city nor will bicycles be allowed on sidewalks in the business district.
(Code 1956, § 38-205)
Sec. 154-1417. Speeding.
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
(Code 1956, § 38-206)
Sec. 154-1418. Right-of-way at alley or driveway.
The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching upon such sidewalk area and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on such roadway.
(Code 1956, § 38-207)
Sec. 154-1419. Manner of riding.
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(Code 1956, § 38-208)
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:195.
Sec. 154-1420. Carrying articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars or which interferes with the stability of the bicycle or the rider’s vision.
(Code 1956, § 38-209)
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:195.
Sec. 154-1421. Parking bicycles.
(1) No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than:
(2) Upon the roadway against the curb;
(3) Upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle;
(4) Against a building; or At the curb;
in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
(Code 1956, § 38-210)
Sec. 154-1422. Necessary bicycle equipment.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from all distances from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlights of a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
(b) No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(Code 1956, § 38-211)
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:329.
Sec. 154-1423. Disposition of unclaimed bicycles.
All unclaimed, unidentified, or abandoned bicycles in the possession or custody of the department of police shall be held for a period of not less than 45 days. Thereafter, such bicycles may be sold at a fair price or may be donated to a nonprofit organization or agency serving the children of the parish, upon written authorization by the superintendent of police. All proceeds derived from such sales shall be credited to the police pension fund.
(Code 1956, § 38-212)
Sec. 154-1424. Penalties.
Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00 and/or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by removal and detention of the registration sticker from such person’s bicycle for a period not to exceed 30 days or by any combination thereof.
Sec. 106-2. Bicycle speed limit in Audubon Park; lights.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle at a speed in excess of ten miles per hour in that portion of Audubon Park bounded by Magazine Street, Exposition Blvd., St. Charles Avenue and Walnut Street.
(b) All bicycles operating in the above mentioned area shall possess a working light when used in either pre-sunrise or post-sunset periods.
(Code 1956, § 42-116)
Sec. 154-313. Possession of vehicles with defaced numbers.
No person shall have in his possession any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle from which the manufacturer’s serial number or any other manufacturer’s trade or distinguishing number or identification mark has been removed, defaced, covered or destroyed, for the purpose of concealing or destroying the identification of such motor vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle.
(Code 1956, § 38-157)
Louisiana State Law
Sec. §76.1. Limitations on passing bicycles
(A) This Section shall be known as the Colin Goodier Protection Act.
(B) The operator of a motor vehicle, when overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, shall exercise due care while the motor vehicle is passing the bicycle and shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. An operator of a motor vehicle may pass a bicycle traveling in the same direction in a no-passing zone only when it is safe to do so.
(C) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, is directed to include a summary of this Section in any instructional publication for drivers.
(D) The Department of Transportation and Development is directed to place signs in areas frequently used by bicyclists in an effort to make motorists aware of the need to share the road with bicyclists.
(E) The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is directed to engage in a public awareness campaign to notify motorists and bicyclists of the provisions of this Section.
(F) Any person who violates this Section shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars.
(Acts 2009, No. 147, §1; Acts 2010, No. 618, §1.)
§196. Clinging to vehicles
No person riding upon any bicycle, skates, skateboard or any other nonmotorized rideable device shall attach himself or the device to any vehicle upon a highway.
(Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Acts 2004, No. 572, §1.)
§197. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
A.Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lane or any other conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. For purposes of this Paragraph, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
B. Repealed by Acts 2011, No. 244, §3.
C. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
D. Persons riding bicycles shall be allowed to operate on the shoulder of a roadway.
E. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or a highway, where there are two or more marked traffic lanes and traffic travels in only one direction, may ride as near the left-hand curb or shoulder of that roadway as practicable when preparing for a left turn.
(Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Acts 2010, No. 618, §§2, 4; Acts 2010, No. 813, §1; Acts 2011, No. 244, §3.)
§198. Operating motorized bicycles
A motorized bicycle shall only be operated upon the roadway of the highways of this state by a person fifteen years of age or older who possesses a valid Louisiana driver’s license and shall not be operated upon sidewalks or interstate highways.
(Added by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.)
§199. Bicycle helmets; restraining seats
- A. The following words and phrases when used in this Section shall have the meaning assigned to them:
(1) “Approved helmet” means a bicycle helmet that meets or exceeds the following minimum bicycle helmet safety standards:
(a) A bicycle helmet that was manufactured prior to March, 1999, shall meet or exceed the minimum bicycle helmet safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
(b) A bicycle helmet that was manufactured after March, 1999, shall meet or exceed the minimum bicycle helmet safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
(2) “Bicycle” means a human-powered vehicle with two tandem wheels designed to transport, by pedaling, one or more persons.
(3) “Operator” means a person who travels on a bicycle seated on a saddle seat from which that person is intended to and can pedal the bicycle.
(4) “Passenger” means any person who travels on a bicycle in any manner except as an operator.
(5) “Restraining seat” means a seat separate from the saddle seat of the operator of the bicycle that is fastened securely to the frame of the bicycle and is adequately equipped to restrain the passenger in such seat and protect such passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.
- B. With regard to any bicycle used on a public roadway, public bicycle path, or other public right-of-way, no parent, guardian, or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child shall knowingly allow any of the following:
(1) Such child under the age of twelve to operate or ride as a passenger on a bicycle without wearing an approved helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet.
(2) Such child who weighs less than forty pounds or is less than forty inches in height to be a passenger on a bicycle without being properly seated in and adequately secured to a restraining seat.
- C. Notice shall be provided in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) A person regularly engaged in the business of selling or renting bicycles shall post a sign stating the following: “Louisiana law requires a bicycle operator or passenger under the age of twelve years to wear a bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle. Louisiana law also requires a passenger who weighs less than forty pounds or is less than forty inches in height to be properly seated in and adequately secured to a restraining seat.”
(2) The sign must be at least twenty-four inches in length and twelve inches in width. The lettering on the sign must be at least one inch in height. The sign must be posted conspicuously so that it is clearly visible to all persons buying or renting bicycles.
- D. The issuance of a citation for a violation of this Section shall not be prima facie evidence of negligence. The comparative negligence statutes of Louisiana shall apply in these cases as in all other cases of negligence.
- E. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission shall provide funds to the Louisiana Safe Kids Coalition to be used for the purchase of bicycle helmets. These helmets shall be distributed by the Louisiana Safe Kids Coalition to indigent persons in furtherance of the provisions of this Section.
- F. The provisions of R.S. 32:57 shall not apply to a violation of this Section. No civil penalties or court costs shall be assessed for any violation of this Section.
(Acts 2001, No. 447, §1, eff. March 1, 2002.)
§201. Harassment of bicyclists prohibited; penalties
A. It shall be unlawful to harass, taunt, or maliciously throw objects at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle.
B. Any person who violates this Section shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
(Acts 2009, No. 147, §1.)
§203. Motor vehicles operating in bicycle lanes
- A. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane except as follows:
(1) To prepare for a turn within a distance of two hundred feet from the intersection.
(2) To enter or leave the roadway onto an alley, private road, or driveway.
(3) To enter or leave a parking space when parking is permitted adjacent to the bicycle lane.
- B. Any person operating a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane in accordance with Subsection A of this Section shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles and electric mobility aids within the bicycle lane.
- C. This Section shall not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane when the operator travels at no speed greater than what is reasonable or prudent, has due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane and in a manner which does not endanger the safety of bicyclists.
- D. In case of an emergency, the driver of a motor vehicle may lawfully operate the vehicle in a bicycle lane in accordance with the normal standards of prudent conduct to protect himself and others from harm. When the emergency ends, the motor vehicle shall not be operated in the bicycle lane.
(Acts 2010, No. 618, §2.)
§329.1. Bicycles; front lamps; rear lamps; side and rear reflectors
- A. Any bicycle when in use at the times specified in R.S. 32:301 shall be equipped with the following:
(1) A lamp mounted on the front that shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front. A generator-powered lamp that emits light only when the bicycle is moving may be used to meet this requirement.
(2) A lamp mounted on the rear that shall emit either a flashing or steady red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear.
(3) A red reflector mounted on the rear and a reflector on each side facing outward at a right angle to the bicycle frame that shall be visible from all distances from one hundred feet to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
- B. A bicycle or its operator may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by Subsection A of this Section, except that red lamps and red reflectors shall not be used on the front of the bicycle and white lamps and white reflectors shall not be used on the rear of the bicycle.
- C. A lamp or lamps worn by the operator of a bicycle shall comply with the requirements of Subsection A of this Section, if the lamp or lamps can be seen at the distances specified.
- D. No person shall operate any bicycle on a state highway, parish road, or city street at a time specified in R.S. 32:301 unless such bicycle is equipped with lamps and reflectors to comply with Subsection A of this Section. Whoever violates this Section shall be subject to a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars which shall include all costs of court.
- E. No retailer, distributor, wholesaler, or manufacturer in this state shall sell or offer for sale any bicycle unless such bicycle is equipped with lamps and reflectors as required by Subsection A of this Section.
- F. This Section shall not apply to operators of bicycles or bicycles while the operator or bicycle is engaged in sanctioned competition races or to bicycles while utilized by peace officers in furtherance of their official duties.
(Acts 2011, No. 98, §1; Acts 2011, No. 244, §1.)
§346. Brakes on bicycles
Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.)