), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph. V cd4g9)oA/? '0Hadfo>'AG/5\9d/_~nf,\}30] v@dnE[!b )F (b) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shallride as near to the right side of the roadway aspracticable, except when: (1) Turning left;(2) Avoiding hazards to safe cycling;(3) The lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle;(4) Traveling at the same speed as traffic;(5) Exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; or(6) There is a right turn only lane and the person operating the bicycle is not turning right; provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road. 0000001858 00000 n Electric bikes are allowed on all marked bike paths.Under Georgia law, local ordinances may restrict where electric bikes may be used. While bikes can ride on the road, if there are appropriate bike paths running parallel to the road, the governing authority for that area may require cyclists to use the path and they are not allowed to use the road unless the path is no longer able to be used.
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Menu. That too is left up to local government, so youll have to check for yourself to see if youre covered from town to town. Electric bikes are categorized into 3 categories: Electric bicycle laws. Lights and other equipment on bicycles. 4 62
40-6-56 (updated version taking effect July 1, 2021)(a) The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a bicycle shall approach the bicycle with due caution and shall proceed as follows: 1) Makea lane change into a lane not adjacent to the bicycle if possible in the existing road and traffic conditions; or (2) Ifa lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be at least ten miles per hour less than the posted speed limit or 25 miles per hour, whichever is more, and proceed around the bicycle with at least three feet between such vehicle and the bicycle at all times. Law; Blog; Accident 411; Our Foundation; Merch; 02 Blog. 
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(6.2) Bicycle path means a right of way under the jurisdiction and control of this state or a local political subdivision thereof designated for use by bicycle riders. Countries such as the united states and canada have federal regulations governing , Posted in: Georgia bicycle lawsShow details, The motor must have an output of no more than 1,000 watts, doesnt go more than 20 miles per hour and cannot be used to make the bike go faster than twenty miles per hour when under human propulsion. 40-6-291. Electric bicycles are defined in the United States as light vehicles that can be powered by human pedal-power and/or by electric power. 40-6-292. (40-6-295). The court imposing punishment under this subsection shall forward a record of the disposition of the case to the Department of Driver Services. Bicycle laws in Georgia Most Georgia bicycle laws are found in Chapter 6, Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated . 
E-bikes that can reach over 20 mph are not allowed on bicycle trails. This is standard to most states and should come as no surprise. 2012 Georgia Bike Summit (Georgia-lina Bike Summit), Augusta, Campaigns and Programs for Local Advocates. 0001311105 00000 n
0000757994 00000 n Section 571, et seq., and shall operate in such a manner that the electric motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. 0000027125 00000 n Electric bikes can be ridden on bike paths. 0000233639 00000 n 0000008216 00000 n The motor must have an output of no more than 1,000 watts, doesnt go more than 20 miles per hour and cannot be used to make the bike go faster than twenty miles per hour when under human propulsion. 40-6-144 Except as provided by resolution or ordinance of a local government for sidewalks within the jurisdiction of such local government authorizing the operation of bicycles on sidewalks by persons 12 years of age or younger, no person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized driveway. 0000626818 00000 n Lights: A white light on the front that can be visible from three hundred feet and a red reflector on the bike that is visible from three hundred feet. safe. Here are some things to keep in mind: These are all very fine and well and we completely agree you should follow them for your safety. To get an insurance quote over the phone, call: (855) 596-3655 | Agents available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 0000031074 00000 n .>^Q|{?W^9 J>Ar7UN.*^.A.3 40-1-1. Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. (c) No person shall transport a child under the age of one year as a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, roadway, bicycle path, bicycle lane, or sidewalk; provided, however, that a child under the age of one year may be transported on a bicycle trailer or in an infant sling so long as such child is seated in the bicycle trailer or carried in an infant sling according to the bicycle trailers or infant slings manufacturers instructions, and the bicycle trailer is properly affixed to the bicycle according to the bicycle trailers manufacturers instructions or the infant sling is properly worn by the rider of the bicycle according to the infant slings manufacturers instructions. 0000132785 00000 n As electric bicycles are being used more often for transportation, laws are being created to govern their use. Under Minnesota law, an e-bike is street-legal if it has pedals, a motor, and cannot exceed 20 mph. Georgia Bicycle , Posted in: Illinois motorized bicycle lawsShow details, The state of georgia defines electric bicycles as a bicycle or a tricycle equipped with with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. A final note less about where to ride than how: it is illegal to ride a bike and carry things in such a way that you cannot keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. HWn6}7ma3kl6Xti`Ht.$g~}HIls=3sx!> XI$eT: Law Details: Electric Bike Laws Electric bikes themselves might be easy to use, but the laws around their usage, particularly in the United States can be tricky to comprehend. ), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph. The federal law permits e-bikes to be powered by , 40-6-299. The big thing to keep in mind when cycling in Georgia is to check your local law because there may be some things which are different from town to town or county to county and you dont want to get into trouble for not checking! k]Tq*Yqf!-E.2?Te.k?#2 zI|8y_%Ims\*.
In Georgia, as in most states, a bicycle is legally a vehicle. This classification means that general vehicular traffic law applies to the operation of a bicycle. The brakes have to be able to make the wheels skid on dry, level pavement. Its not something we generally think about, but Georgia lawmakers certainly have! (c) A person convicted of the offense of a terroristic threat shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both. 0000020014 00000 n 40-6-397. But if you dont, it not doing it may not count as negligence or contributory negligence and riders under the age of sixteen who fail to comply will not be fined or imprisoned. All rights reserved. , Electric Bike Laws 101 Brief Guide - bikexchange.com. * endstream endobj 5 0 obj <> endobj 6 0 obj <>/Resources<>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 630.137 810.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 7 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#20299#20C 25 0 R<>] endobj 8 0 obj <> endobj 9 0 obj <> endobj 10 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#20Process#20Black#20C/DeviceCMYK<>] endobj 11 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#20485#20C 25 0 R<>] endobj 12 0 obj <>stream What are the rules for riding on the trails in Georgia? You are welcome to call one of our auto attorneys at any time, day or night, at (404) 662-4949. 0000026967 00000 n 01 Law; 02 Blog; 03 Accident 411; 04 Our Foundation; 05 Merch; Home. Georgia law defines mopeds as two- or three- wheeled vehicles that are capable of producing a maximum of 2 horsepower, or an engine displacement of 50cc. (b) A person commits the offense of a terroristic act when:(1) He or she uses a burning or flaming cross or other burning or flaming symbol or flambeau with the intent to terrorize another or anothers household; (2) While not in the commission of a lawful act, he or she shoots at or throws an object at a conveyance which is being operated or which is occupied by passengers; or (3) He or she releases any hazardous substance or any simulated hazardous substance under the guise of a hazardous substance for the purpose of terrorizing another or of causing the evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation or otherwise causing serious public inconvenience or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. 0000004172 00000 n Moped riders in Georgia do not have to register or insure their vehicles, but they do need a valid learner's permit or driver's license to operate one.. Scooters, which have an engine with a displacement of 50cc or more, are subject to the same , Posted in: Insurance Law, Insurance LawShow details, The US 2002 Federal Law states that an electric bike is street legal if: it has a top speed of 20 mph or less; it has a motor power below 750W ; If your electric moped fits into that category, you will not need a license or registration to ride in most states. Reckless driving (a) Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless driving. 0001048753 00000 n 4 0 obj <> endobj xref b>S`"9)~zxHWo~!R!jRVOo.P_R&bG\8OC\yY (w(S0C.PTCPeE[veh*yI!FH+|ui]w3ST)4%< (2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term bicycle helmet means a piece of protective headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standards for bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation. In Georgia, cyclists have to ride as close to the right as possible, except when turning left, avoiding hazards, if the bike is traveling at the same speed as traffic, if the road is too narrow to safely share or when passing a standing vehicle. 0000917577 00000 n Keep reading to find out more.
(4) No bicycle without an accompanying protective bicycle helmet shall be rented or leased to or for the use of any person under the age of 16 years unless that person is in possession of a bicycle helmet at the time of the rental or lease. (a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and with a light on the back which shall emit a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear. Blog. 0000229009 00000 n But it will count as a misdemeanor. 0000026709 00000 n 40-6-298. The classification of a vehicle means that most of the vehicle codes and regulations apply to all vehicles, including bikes, though there are a few things that are of course specific to two wheels rather than four. 16-11-43. (g)Electric assisted bicycles may be operated on bicycle paths. However, the vehicular code and various regulations include many qualifications for specific classes of vehicles. Mopeds are classified by their engine size and cannot exceed 35 miles per hour without being subject to the laws that govern motorcyclists in Georgia. The Board of Public Safety is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry this part into effect and is authorized to establish regulations for any additional safety equipment or standards it shall require for bicycles. To legally operate these types of vehicles, you will need a motorcycle license, current registration and the following insurance coverage levels: To get a Georgia motorcycle license, you must be at least 17 years old and pass a knowledge, road skills and vision exam. 0000001798 00000 n Georgia Bikes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Overall though, as long as you understand how to drive safely, you should be covered for riding your bike. 0000299085 00000 n Its important to understand the bike laws in Georgia because while in many cases, they are similar across the United States, there are a few things that make them different, such as electric bikes, and the case for reckless driving/riding and other things that are covered by vehicle law and therefore cover bikes. Call. 0000015201 00000 n Terroristic threats and acts (a) A person commits the offense of a terroristic threat when he or she threatens to commit any crime of violence, to release any hazardous substance, as such term is defined in Code Section 12-8-92, or to burn or damage property with the purpose of terrorizing another or of causing the evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation or otherwise causing serious public inconvenience or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. But this rule and others vary.
In Georgia, laws and regulations for mopeds, scooters and electric bicycles differ in regards to registration, insurance and licenses. 0EbX\d Pq'7kJcJW`(g -9?N`.`p9tg 0A=`N@r3^} / 4! 0000030991 00000 n Additionally, all moped riders in the state must wear a helmet. (b) If such accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years. 0000035306 00000 n Mopeds do not need to be registered with the state, nor do riders have to carry insurance, but they're restricted to roads where the minimum speed limit is 35 mph or less. Posted in: Electric bike laws floridaShow details, 40-1-1 (25.1) - means any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed attainable in one mile is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in 49 c.f.r.