Louisiana Statutes Relating to Bicycling
Bicycling Laws In New Orleans
RS 32:106 Methods of Giving Hand and Arm Signals
All signals herein required to be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:
Left Turn
Hand and arm extended horizontally with the had open and the back of the hand to the rear
Right Turn
Hand and arm extended upward at the angle of forty-five degrees from shoulder or elbow, with the hand open and back of the hand to the rear
Stop or Decrease Speed
Start hand and arm extended downward at an angle of forty-five degrees from shoulder or elbow, with the hand open and the back of the hand to the rear
RS 32:193 Operation of Bicycles; General Provision
The regulations applicable to bicyclists shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon a highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
RS 32:194 Traffic Laws Apply to Persons Riding Bicycles
Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
RS 32:195 Riding on Bicycles
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent or 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.
A person operating a bicycle shall at all times keep at least one hand upon the handle bars thereof.
RS 32:196 Clinging to Vehicles
No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach himself or the bicycle to any vehicle upon a highway.
RS 32:197 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. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway, which includes an improved shoulder, may ride upon the improved shoulder.
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.
RS 32:199 Bicycle Helmets; Restraining Seats
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:
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.
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.
RS 32:203 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.
RS 32:329 Bicycles; Front Lamps; Side and Rear Reflectors; Rear Lamps
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 at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear and a reflector on each side facing outward at a right angle to the bicycle frame, all of a type approved by the department which shall be visible from all distances within six hundred feet to one hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
B. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime on a state highway, parish road, or city street, in addition to the requirements of Subsection A of this Section, shall be equipped with a lamp emitting a red flashing light or a red light on the rear of the bicycle, which has sufficient candle power so that such lamp projects light from all distances within one hundred feet to six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
C. No person shall sell or offer for sale any bicycle unless such bicycle is equipped with at least one red reflector on the rear and one reflector on each side as required by this Section.
D. After December 31, 2010, no person shall operate any bicycle at nighttime on a state highway, parish road, or city street, unless such bicycle is equipped with at least one lamp emitting a red flashing light or a red light on the rear as required by Subsection B of this Section.
Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
RS 32:76.1 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.
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