A Guide to Bicycle Laws in Georgia
The following provisions of Georgia bicycle laws provide a general overview of a cyclist’s rights and responsibilities in the state of Georgia. This information is sourced from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) sections 40-6-295 through 40-6-300. For the full text of O.C.G.A. 40-6-295 through 300, please click here.
A "bicycle" is defined as a device that is propelled solely by human power, upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, either of which is more than 14 inches in diameter, and may have a seat attached "so as to be used by a rider seated on it" and handlebars. O.C.G.A. 40-1-1(5).
A "motorized scooter" is defined as a small wheeled device that is: "steerable by a rider, has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon while in motion, is not more than two wheels in diameter, is propelled by either human power or a motor with or without human power, is equipped with handlebars and can be reasonably and safely operated by a single person." O.C.G.A. 40-1-1(6.1). Motorized scooters do not include electric bicycles or tricycles or wheelchairs, or any other device not exclusively for use on a roadway. O.C.G.A. 40-6-295.
Any person riding a bicycle may ride at any time, day or night, unless prohibited by law or ordinance. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(a). Equipment required for night riding: A bicycle that is ridden from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise must, by law, be equipped with the following: O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(b).
Whenever a person rides a bicycle on a roadway constructed with two or more marked lanes going in the same direction, that person must ride as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as is safe, except when preparing to make a left turn or when the lane is too narrow for the person to ride safely and without colliding with another vehicle. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(c)(1).
Where there is a usable paved shoulder on the right-hand side of the roadway, whether or not the shoulder is designated for the exclusive use of bicycles, any person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride on the paved shoulder, as far as practicable but not necessarily on the edge. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(c)(2).
When normal and ordinary traffic conditions permit, a person riding a bicycle so as to prevent any other vehicle from entering or leaving an alley or driveway must do so, when practicable , by moving to the right side of the lane against which the right side of the roadway would normally close. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(c)(3).
A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway with two or more marked lanes going in the same direction may ride in the center of the right lane of traffic, regardless of the width of the lane, or ride across a lane dotted with double yellow stripes closest to the center of the roadway, except in certain situations. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(c)(4).
A person riding a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked lanes may ride as near to the left curb or edge of the roadway as is safe, except when preparing to make a left turn. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(c)(5).
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, a person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(d).
Any person operating any bicycle on a roadway at any time from sunset to sunrise shall have on his or her person a lighted lamp, either mounted or portable, illuminating the path of travel in the front and a red light or the equivalent reflector on the rear or on the person himself or herself visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear. O.C.G.A. 40-6-297(a)(1)-(2).
Any person operating a bicycle at any time from sunset to sunrise must be furnished with a light and wear "reasonably visible reflective material" on their person to the sides or to the rear. O.C.G.A. 40-6-297(b).
Save for parking, no bicycle shall be parked upon a roadway other than in an upright position against the curb or, if not practicable, parallel to other parked vehicles. O.C.G.A. 40-6-298(a).
A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall not cling to or otherwise attach themselves or their bicycle to any motor vehicle. O.C.G.A. 40-6-298(b).
A driver is permitted to drive across a line of bicycle traffic control, designated by raised reflective strips or other devices, whenever it is necessary to enter or leave a roadway incorporating such a line, or in any other case when such movement is authorized by law. O.C.G.A. 40-6-300(a).
A person shall not ride a bicycle: on the freeway, where prohibited; when under the influence of alcohol or drugs; who has not been issued a valid bicycle rider’s license, unless that person has a valid Class C driver’s license or learner’s permit, and has been issued a police department permit; without a helmet; or without carrying a sound emitting signaling device. O.C.G.A. 40-6-300(b)(1)-(6).
Georgia Law For Bicycle Helmets
It is required by law that all persons under the age of 16 be equipped with a helmet when riding their bicycles on public roads and places in Georgia. It is additionally recommended that all adult cyclists don a helmet as well to ensure optimal safety. The law specifies that helmets must be properly fitted, securely attached, and constructed of impact resistant thermoplastic shell and foam polystyrene liner, or other material meeting federal safety standards. Helmets must be lined with foam padding, or other suitable material, that covers the inside of the helmet. The law establishes additional requirements for youth under the age of 16. All youth operating their bicycles must wear the helmet as a result of strenuous activities, or during the night or periods of reduced visibility. The law requires that helmets for youth, if fitted with a chin strap, be properly secured at all times. In addition to helmet use, it is also recommended that each child on a bike should have reflectors and be required to ride on the extreme right of the roadway in a traffic lane. This is for their additional safety and to help keep them from accidents.
Biking on Sidewalks: What Does the Law Say?
Bicycling on sidewalks is generally prohibited in Georgia but there are some exceptions. Generally, it is against the law to ride a bicycle on sidewalks if it is does not meet one of the exceptions. In a municipality, the exceptions include these scenarios:
– where the sidewalk is adjacent to a roadway or highway with a curb that is not designed to be traversed, except at designated crossing points;
– It is against the law in the City of Dennisville to ride a bike on any sidewalk adjacent to a business (see City Ordinance Sec. 472-6 (2) and (3). See also Anthony v. City of Bristol , 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 151772 (D. Conn. Aug. 17, 2010) (bicycle police officer who ran red light while vehicle was stopped and arrested motorist for obstruction, subjective belief was insufficient to support probable cause)).
By law, if there is no safe passage along the highway, sidewalk riding is prohibited, unless you are crossing the highway at a designated crosswalk; and, even then, your bicycle must be carried as a pedestrian would cross.
The law is the same whether the rider is 7 years old or 77 years old.
Georgia Rules for Bicycle Lanes
Georgia law requires the operator of a motorized vehicle to prepare to stop and yield the entire roadway to a cyclist riding within a marked bicycle lane. Georgia Bicycle Laws §40-6-296.1 (d). But a marked bicycle lane is not an exclusive lane; therefore, motor vehicles are allowed to drive within these lanes unless blocked from entering or existing the roadway by stationary vehicles. In other words, a cyclist in a marked bicycle lane has the right to the entire lane when no obstructing, stationary vehicles block the lane. Alternatively, when there is an obstruction, cyclists must use reasonable judgment and caution in determining whether to exit the bicycle lane to safely navigate around the obstruction.
Georgia law does not require all municipalities to create a separate lane for cyclists. Georgia Bicycle Laws §40-6-294 allows municipalities to decide if they will create a separate lane or not. For municipalities that have created a separate bicycle lane, it must be marked with the following:
Some cyclists prefer riding on the road, but where bicycle lanes are present, cyclists must use the lanes unless otherwise impractical. Cyclists can use the bike lane at the following times:
If a municipal government chooses to make use of signage or road markings to inform drivers of the presence of bicyclists, it has some discretion in deciding what those signs or markings look like, how many there will be, and where they will be placed. Unfortunately, many municipalities do not bother to alert drivers to the possible presence of cyclists. For cyclists concerned about their safety, the best course is to ignore local law entirely and ride as far to the right as practical without leaving the roadway or bicycle lane, keeping in mind that many municipalities have no bicycle lane and therefore cyclists should keep to the right edge of the roadway as far as practical.
Traffic Signals & Signs for Bicycles
When it comes to traffic signals and signs, the rules that apply to motor vehicles apply to bicycle riders in Georgia. However, there are some special rules that apply to bike riders and that do not apply to motor vehicles. Bike riders must obey a traffic signal showing green only when they wish to go straight or turn left. When they wish to turn right they may do so at any time, even when a red signal is showing . (They must yield to pedestrian traffic and other traffic lawfully using the intersection for their own right-turns at the same time.) Note that on bike paths and where converted rail lines have been turned into bike paths or pedestrian paths, bike riders may even cross tracks at an angle when it is safe to do so in order to avoid hazards often created by the tracks.
Nighttime Bicycling: What You Need To Know
Riders will run afoul of Georgia’s bicycle laws if they try to ride a bicycle at night with either no light or the wrong kind of light. Under the rules of the road 1, bicycles driven at night must have a lamp on the front that emits either a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front of the bicycle or a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front of the bicycle when in use as a rear light.
In addition, if the bicyclist is using a bicycle light in the front and/or rear of the bicycle during the night, he must have a reflector on the front that is visible from a distance of 600 feet and one that is visible from a distance of 300 feet on the rear.
Any laws requiring any sort of bicycle light are found in Georgia during the 20th century, but in recent years, spurred on by the proliferation of LEDs on handheld devices and other technologies, Georgia has made an effort to get in tune with the most current standards for night safety.
If you want to see how the law applies in a practical sense on Georgia roads, this blog post is a great start.
Fines and Punishment for Breaking Bicycle Laws
In Georgia, the law recognizes the rights of bicyclists to travel along with motor vehicle traffic lanes. To ensure that private highway systems are used efficiently, the law also creates rules and restrictions on where and how a bicycle can be operated in order to avoid unnecessary delays, damage, or dangers to any users, owned property, or the roadway itself.
As with all traffic infractions and crimes, the penalties for violating these laws vary in severity, depending upon the nature and consequences of the action, the age of the offender, and the frequency and severity of the offender’s actions.
For an adult who commits a violation of Georgia’s bicycle laws, the penalty may include fines, points added to their driver’s license, and, in some instances, community service hours. If the violation results in an enhanced suffering to the other parties, such as a vehicle driver or another cyclist, the penalty may include restitution for lost time and/or damages of the suffering by the other party.
For a minor who commits a violation of Georgia’s bicycle laws, the outcome may include fines, community service hours, and attendance at defensive driving courses.
The Latest Updates to Georgia Bicycle Laws
There have been several recent changes to Georgia’s bicycle laws, including House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 417, which address a few current obstacles when it comes to cycling in Georgia. The language of HB 511 has been incorporated into the language of SB 417, which has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and is on its way to Governor Deal for a signature . SB 417 makes several important clarifications: (1) it specifies that a bicycle is not considered a vehicle and a person operating a bicycle is not considered to be operating a vehicle; (2) it provides that a person riding a bicycle is not required to ride as close as practicable to the rightmost edge of the roadway if, among other things, the roadway is less than 14 feet in width or there is a dedicated bike lane; and (3) it specifies that a person riding a bicycle may ride two abreast in a single lane. Changes to other laws regarding bicycles and motor vehicles are also included in the bill, including changes to the laws on riding bicycles on public sidewalks and pathways.