Questions tagged [legal]
Concerning laws concerning bicycling, and their enforcement.
113
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What course of action is most prudent to prevent/delay a bike theft?
I've just witnessed a bike theft, and in hindsight I handled it very badly.
(What exactly happened: I met a friend on the street, we were talking, then he noticed a pair of *ahem* gentlemen ...
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1
answer
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What are examples of low- or no-cost laws that favor cyclists? What U.S. state has implemented the most laws?
There are a lot of parts of bicycle advocacy that cost money. Bikeways. Separated traffic signals. Parking facilities.
I'm not here to talk about any of those. I'm thinking more today about state ...
7
votes
1
answer
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Crosswalk on a bicycle lane (DE)
I know, in Germany I have to give way on a normal crosswalk while riding my bike and only pedestrians have the right of way on it. But does this also apply for a bicycle lane on a sidewalk, which is ...
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2
votes
3
answers
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Best way to mount a bicycle on a car to minimize interaction with police?
Here is my bicycle mounted on my car, license plate is obscured
I am driving like these occasionally here in Orlando, no problems with the cops at all.
Now I am planning to do a road trip through ...
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21
votes
5
answers
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What should I do with stop lights which don't detect my bike? [Ontario]
I'm wondering what the law in Ontario allows me to do here if I want to turn left, what I typically do is use the pedestrian crossing and get back on my bike once I am across. I saw this question, but ...
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5
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Passing parked cars with oncoming traffic - UK Highway Code
This is a tricky one and a problem I suspect others encounter, but I can't find a definitive answer so...
On my cycle (in the UK), I have a few streets which are narrow with parked cars on the left (...
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32
votes
5
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Can Cycle Camera Evidence be Used by Police to Enforce Dangerous Motorists?
The (UK) Highway Code dictating that motorists should pass a cyclist no closer than 1.5 meters is only useful to protect us if it can be enforced. Indeed, it's hardly the odd occurrence that I'm close-...
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Riding on the shoulder of a road with a "do not drive on shoulder" sign
Can I ride my bicycle on the shoulder of a road that has a "do not drive on shoulder" sign in Texas?
Below is an example of this configuration.
By far, the shoulder seems like the safest ...
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16
votes
6
answers
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Legality and morality around wearing a red / blue flashing light on a bicycle in the UK?
I recently bought a red and blue flashing light to wear on my helmet when I cycle into work in London.
I abide by road rules, cycle safely, never cycle on footpaths, obey stop signs and traffic lights ...
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12
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1
answer
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Legal requirement for tire tread pattern in Germany
I heard a rumor that there is a legal requirement for bicycles in Germany to have treaded tires. I found this quite surprising and took a look at the regulations:
StVZO §36 (3) requires treaded tires ...
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3
votes
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Idaho Stop: Should I stop at a stop sign when an oncoming vehicle has a stop sign too?
In an "Idaho Stop" context, what is the best thing to do for a cyclist approaching a 4-way stop at the same time as a vehicle approaching from another direction? Should the cyclist
Proceed ...
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5
votes
1
answer
275
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Any countries where there's a general speed limit for bicycles?
This not about e-bikes/e-bicycles or e-scooters, it's about the conventional human powered 2/3 wheeled vehicles, about the plain old bicycle.
I would like to know which countries (Europe mostly) have ...
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Is it illegal to cycle with one brake? [closed]
After refurbishing my mountain bicycle I have discovered I need a new cable for my rear brake. My front brake works perfectly fine and that is the only one I use. I will be getting the rear brake ...
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27
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2
answers
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Are Penny-Farthings Legal to Ride on Public Roads (UK)
Are Penny-Farthings legal to ride on public roads in the UK?
Note: For laws regarding riding Penny-Farthings on public roads in other countries-ie "US" or "EU"- please start a new ...
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3
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5
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What are the hazards and risks if I keep using a worn rear tyre?
I found similar questions:
What are the risks of fenders/mudguards?
What are the risks of untrued wheels?
But I haven't found a structured analysis on the subject of tyres.
Stack exchange ...
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2
votes
1
answer
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Can I use reflective tape instead of a rear reflector in the UK?
My road bike isn't fitted with a rear reflector as I got it second hand and I think they removed it. If I purchased some red reflective tape and fitted it around the seatpost/seatstay, would this make ...
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2
votes
0
answers
2k
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Color conventions for side (wheel) reflectors (yellow and white)
Spoke reflectors, as far as I know, often come in two colors: yellow and white.
Is there a convention as to which one should go on the back wheel and which one should go on the front wheel?
For ...
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9
votes
1
answer
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In the UK, is there any (legal or similar) limit on bike+trailer length?
With a couple of miles of quiet lanes, and around 10 miles of fairly straight bike path that takes me right to a river I'd like to go kayaking in. I've got a trailer that my daughter is too tall for ...
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2
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3
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E-bike speed limit in Ontario, Canada
In Ontario, Canada, may I pedal my e-bike up to the road's posted speed limit without motor assistance?
Like if my bike does 31 mph but the speed limit is higher, can I travel to that speed without ...
13
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2
answers
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Are there mandatory bike paths in Netherlands?
Doing a trip in Europe. I know in UK the bike paths are optional. You can ride on them or you can ride on the road, whatever feels better for you.
Somebody told me that in Netherlands most bike paths ...
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22
votes
6
answers
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Should unconventional colors be avoided for lighting?
Red/amber lights in the rear of the vehicle, white lights, in front of it: that is the good old convention and certainly switching their places is a bad idea.
A quick search, however, shows other ...
user39828
6
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1
answer
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Is it legal for a car to overtake me as I overtake a parked car in UK?
The road has one lane. There is a parked car on the side. I overtake it and position myself in the middle of the road because no car is coming from the front. Often enough, at the same time I get ...
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3
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Is using hand signals a legal requirement in the UK?
I am just starting to cycle on the road and I'm wondering if cyclists are legally required to use hand signals or if they are optional (i.e. recommended but you won't get into trouble if you don't use ...
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2
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Laws against electric assist bicycle with energy recovery? [closed]
Is an electric bike like this required any special license. The power applied comes from the collected kinetic inertia from going down hill or stored from the rider then the stored power can then be ...
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Is it legal for cyclists to use amber bike flashers for visibility (in BC, Canada)?
Amber bike lights can improve daytime visibility. This makes sense because white light looks similar to sunlight and amber light stands out more clearly. Being seen sooner means that drivers have more ...
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2
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Can I ride side by side with another cyclist in Switzerland?
When I ride on the road with someone (in the country), I try to ride on his side, and then when a car comes, I pull back in. This way, we can talk and have more fun during the trip.
Sometimes, I don'...
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1
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Who has the right of way crossing a shared pedestrian crosswalk / bike path? (USA)
I pass this intersection (and others like it) at least twice per day on my way to work and I'm still a little unsure who should stop for whom. The little yellow star indicates the "bike path", which ...
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2
votes
4
answers
684
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Riding my bike on empty pavement when the road is busy UK [duplicate]
I often find myself in the situation that I'm riding my bike on the road, holding up several cars whom I can tell are getting impatient (there are oncoming cars so its hard to overtake safely). A lot ...
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3
answers
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Threatening swerving by driver - should I report it? (Canada)
I'm curious to get some opinions on this from other cyclists. FYI this event took place in Ottawa, Canada.
On my work commute, there are about 3 blocks where I ride in the lane with cars because ...
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4
votes
1
answer
721
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How cities came to decision to allow bicycles and/or motorcycles to enter bus lanes?
Some cities debate about letting 2-wheel wehicles (bicycles or motorcycles) enter bus lanes. Why should (or not) we let them enter? When it is ok to let them use bus lanes? What factors should be ...
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11
votes
4
answers
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Right of way for a raised crossing?
The new Cycle Superhighway 3 goes through Hyde Park, London,UK on West Carriage Drive.
It contains a number of points at which pedestrians are evidently intended to cross, as the roadway and cycleway ...
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11
votes
8
answers
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What are your country's rules or regulations for the colors of reflectors or lights?
Many countries have rules or regulations that specify what color your lights (headlights or rear lights) or reflectors must be. What are they?
In your answer, please note the country (and state, if ...
11
votes
1
answer
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How to talk to authorities to convince them to bicycle initiatives?
Since at least 1998 in unkempt, secluded place in Warsaw, PL, there was an unofficial downhill track. Between the bushes some youngsters constructen on their own ramps etc. Between september/october ...
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votes
7
answers
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Why are license plates for bicycles no longer used?
Bicycle license plates were quite common in many countries before, during, and, depending on the region, also after WWII. In Poland, for instance, it was obligatory until the late 60s. I've found that ...
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What are the possible practical consequences of breaking the rules of the road?
I was reading this question which seemed a totally weird thing to worry about and sparked my question.
I've always disregarded stop signs, lights, crossings and waving policemen as basically ...
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1
answer
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Is it OK to use pedestrian phase of pedestrian crossing to join/leave the carriageway? (UK)
If the start of my journey is on a busy road, and there is a pedestrian crossing nearby, I often take advantage of the pedestrian phase of the crossing by mounting the bike, joining the carriageway ...
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5
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Pavement riding in Scotland
I've just moved to Edinburgh, and I understand that the land reform act 2003 lets me cycle on most land, excluding certain places like some highways or ministry of defense land. Does this mean I'm ...
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0
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Dealing with cars harassing cyclists in the US [duplicate]
Tonight as my partner was out riding a car swerved over to the fog line as it passed and laid on the horn before speeding off. While most of the driver around here are extremely courteous something ...
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1
answer
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E Bike speeding (>32km/hr) Penalty?
In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, what is the penalty for riding an electric assist bike thatsurpasses 32 kilometres per hour on flat terrain? Also, what is the penalty for an e bike that surpasses the 500 ...
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2
answers
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How should I handle a highway patrolman who stops me occasionally to give incorrect instructions about my riding duties?
I live near a minor Tennessee town and frequently ride the few miles into town and back on state highways. Part of the route (the less busy part, ironically) has a dedicated bike lane, but it's filled ...
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3
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Nearly getting hit by reckless vehicles. What can be done? [duplicate]
Today I nearly got hit by a driver not paying attention:
I was stopped, waiting to turn right. She was turning right off the
road. She did not indicate.
It was a quiet residential area, daylight.
...
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8
votes
1
answer
4k
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How to (safely) navigate a four-way stop
What's the safest way to navigate a four-way stop on a bicycle?
I've found that some cars will ignore me, others will wave me
through, and still others will just treat me as any other vehicle on the ...
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8
votes
4
answers
3k
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Cycle law: definition of Dismounting
Some area requires you to dismount your bicycle. So what is the exact definition of dismounting your bicycle?
Can you just simply dismount from your bike seat, but keep one foot on the pedal to ...
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2
answers
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What is the difference between a sidewalk and a mixed use path?
First off, I am normally the type to take a lane on my normal bike. However, I commute by train, and can only take a small folding bike with me. And on that thing, I am pretty slow (that also helps ...
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1
answer
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Why does the Uniform Vehicle Code take away a cyclist's right to use most of the roadway? [closed]
Why does the Uniform Vehicle Code take away a cyclist's right to use most of the roadway, restricting him or her to the far right?
Considering (1) the numerous exceptions to the 'keep far right' law,...
user22646
3
votes
1
answer
172
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Velomobiles and UK Window Tinting Laws?
Are Velomobiles exempt from UK Window Tinting laws ?
I know they are Exempt from speed limits, as speed limits
only apply to Motor Vehicles. Is it the same with the Window tinting laws ?
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votes
6
answers
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Biking against traffic on a one-way streets in Europe
My recent experience with new Google Maps shows that it constantly leads me against traffic on a one-way streets in Europe in general and in Poland (where I live) in particular.
Are there any laws or ...
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votes
3
answers
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Is a car "perfectly entitled" to turn left around cyclist
(I'm in the UK so we drive on the left)
This morning a driver pulled up alongside me (to my right) at a junction. As soon as a gap came available, I pulled out to turn left and he did the same, ...
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votes
4
answers
975
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What is the best way to approach train tracks?
I commute on my bike through an industrial area and cross many train tracks. They very in degrees: most are perpendicular to the road, but some have a very low angle.
This question is two part:
What ...
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2
votes
2
answers
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Cycling too Fast [closed]
Update: I'm not really looking for any legal advice here, more looking for pointers to articles or whatever covering these topics.
Last year I was involved in a road crash whilst riding to work (...
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