Indiana State Bike Code

Indiana Code 9-21-11
Children and wards; bicycles; violations
Sec. 1.(a) The parent of a child and the guardian of a protected person may not authorize or knowingly permit the child or protected person to violate this chapter.
Sec. 1.(b) Subject to the exceptions stated, the provisions of this chapter applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon a highway or a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

Indiana Code 9-21-11
Riding on roadways; rights and duties
Sec. 2. A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all the rights and duties under this article that are applicable to a person who drives a vehicles, except the following:
(1) Special regulations of this article.
(2) Those provision of this article that by their nature have no application.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Seats
Sec. 3.(a) A person propelling a bicycle may not:
(1) ride other than upon the permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle; or
(2) carry any other person upon the bicycle who is not seated upon a firmly attached and regular seat on the bicycle.
Sec. 3.(b) A person may not ride upon a bicycle unless seated under this section.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Passengers
Sec. 4. A bicycle may not be used to carry more persons at one (1) time than the number for which the bicycle is designed and equipped

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Hitching rides on motor vehicles or street cars
Sec. 5 A person upon a bicycle, a coaster, roller skates, or a toy vehicle may not attached the bicycle, coaster, roller skates, or toy vehicles or the person to a street car or vehicle upon a roadway.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Riding two abreast
Sec. 6 A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway may not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Carrying articles
Sec. 7 A person who rides a bicycle may not carry a package, a bundle, or an article that prevents the person from keeping both hands upon the handlebars.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Bells or other audible signal devices
Sec. 8. A person may not ride a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet.  A bicycle may not be equipped with and a person may not use upon a bicycle a siren or whistle.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Lamps and reflectors
Sec. 9. A bicycle operated on a highway from one-half (1/2) hour after sunset until one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise must be equipped with the following:
(1) A lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front.
(2) A lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear or a red reflector visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Brakes
Sec. 10. A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that will enable the person who operates the bicycle to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

Indiana Code 9-21-11 Violations
Sec. 14. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.


City Bike Code (Partial)

In addition to all applicable state laws, bike riders within Marion County and the City of Indianapolis must observe SECTION 1, Chapter 431, ARTICLE VI of the "Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County."  The Cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence and Southports and the Town of Speedway are excepted.  This code concerns the operation of bicycles on streets, sidewalks and public ways, including these recent amendments:

Sec. 431-602 Operation by children under twelve (12) years of age; responsibility of adults. It shall be unlawful for the parent, legal guardian or custodian of a child under twelve (12) years of age to suffer or permit such a child to operate a bicycle in a roadway in the city while such roadway is open and used by vehicular traffic; however, this subsection shall not apply when and where: The child is at least eight (8) years of age, and is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or custodian who at times is in position to observe and direct such child's bicycle operation; or, The child is riding only in that portion of a roadway which is designated by signs or pavement markings as being set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles; or.
The street where such roadway is located is designated by the city as a play street.
A child under twelve (12) years of age may operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk or greenway in the city in the manner provide by Section 431-603(b) of the Code.

Sec. 431-603. Operation on roadways, sidewalks and greenways; violations.
A person who operates a bicycle in a roadway shall comply with the provisions of IC Chapter 9-21-11.
A person who operates a bicycle on a sidewalk or greenway in the city shall do so only in the following manner;
The bicycle shall not be operated at a speed, or in any manner, which constitutes a threat to the safety of either the bicycle operator or other persons, or diminishes or impairs the free use of the sidewalk or greenway by other persons.