Can I be held responsible for traffic violations when riding a bicycle, given no license is needed?

coolrockboy380

Bicycles must follow traffic laws. It is also usually against the law to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. (It's called a side"walk" not a side"ride")
You are not required to carry an ID anywhere in the US and you cannot be arrested for not having one.
It is rare for cyclists to be ticketed unless they have been involved in or caused some sort of accident.

Terry

Yes, you do. You didn't sign an agreement not to rape or murder either, but the laws still apply to you.

americanfreeman

you never signed aything against murdering people either.

you broke the law, pay the man or deal with him coming for you.

Of course you do. Bicyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws as cars.

Yes. If you choose to ride in traffic, then you are as responsible as any citizen riding in traffice irregardless of the 'vehicle' you choose.

kwflamingo

Yes - the good news is without a driver's license you don't get points against your license - which is possible because you are a vehicle sharing the road. You can even get a BWI Biking While Intoxicated! But you still must follow all the traffic rules or risk a citation.

Rod

In PA, a person on a bicycle can be charged with certain traffic violations such as running a red light, stop sign, etc. Each state varies and you should check with your states laws. Most police will not give citations to people on bikes unless they are needing probable cause for something else you may be up to or you are operating it in a reckless manner that could get you or someone else hurt.

thegubmint

Yes. There are laws in almost every state (assuming you are in the USA) that mandate that bicycle riders follow the same laws as motor vehicles. I actually got pulled over once for breaking the speed limit on my road bike and told to slow down. I was apparently doing 32 in a 25.

CGIV76

As a bicyclist, you are responsible for following the bicycle rules of the road. Copies are available through the Secretary of State, DMV, and local Police stations.

spywaredr

in the state of Connecticut,yes you can and MUST obey traffic rules at all times,including use of hand signals.

when reading news about someone being hit by a vehicle and the driver is NOT cited,doesn't it make you wonder why?

mostly because the cyclist was in the wrong,not obeying state traffic laws.

Resident Heretic

Yes, you do. They're called "traffic laws", not "car laws".

zebj25

Yes you do, and ID is required to be carried by all persons in many states. They have whats call a non driver ID card. Most places dont argue with that, but if you push, i'm sure they will.

Mr. Goodhi

Yes,

bicycles have to obey the same laws as motor vehicles.

Absolutely yes!! Bicycles are considered vehicles and so are subject to the same laws as the powered four wheeled variety.

So, don't ride on the sidewalk, do signal your turns, absolutely come to a complete stop at stop signs and traffic lights...and all that...

Heather V

Yes

justlivingitup

unfortunately you are held accountable under the laws of the road when riding a bike. I know that it really doesn't make allot of seance but the law is the law weather we agree with them or not.

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