Applicable Indiana and Indianapolis Codes for Bicycles

Indiana Code Title 9 Article 21 

Section 1 Parents and guardians; authorizing or permitting violation of chapter; bicycles; application of chapter

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.

Section 2 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.

Section 3 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.

Section 4 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

Section 5 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.

Section 6 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.

Section 7 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.

Section 8 Bells or other audible signal devices
Sec. 8.  A bicycle may not be equipped with and a person may not use upon a bicycle a siren or whistle.

Section 9 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.

Section 10 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.

Section 14 Violations
Sec. 14. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.


Indiana Code 9-21-3-7 Signals exhibiting colored lights or arrows; requirements; explanation of colors

(Proceeding through an intersection with a traffic control light with a red light)

Section 7, (3) (D) If the operator of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, motor scooter, or bicycle approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic control signal, the operator may proceed through the intersection on a steady red signal only if the operator:

     (i)  comes to a complete stop at the intersection for at least one hundred twenty (120) seconds; and

     (ii)  exercises due caution as provided by law, otherwise treats the traffic signal as a stop sign, and determines that it is safe to proceed.





Indianapolis 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. 

City of Carmel, Chapter 6-63  Regulation of Vehicular Use on Sidewalks, Multi-Use Paths, Bicycle Lanes, and Roadways.

(c)   Duty to Yield and Signal. Whenever a person is riding a Bicycle upon a Multi-Use Path or Sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any person they approach from behind and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and then safely passing such person.

(d)   Riding No More Than Two Abreast. No more than two bicyclists shall ride abreast in the same direction on any Bicycle Lane, Multi-Use Path, Sidewalk or Roadway located within the City's corporate limits.

(g)   Child Bicyclists. It shall be unlawful for a child under seven years of age, as well as for the parent, legal guardian, or custodian of the same 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 Motor Vehicle traffic, except that any child can cross a Roadway on a Bicycle in a direct, expedient, and prompt manner when accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian, or custodian, and that any child may operate a Bicycle upon a Sidewalk or Multi-Use Path subject to the restrictions in this section.

(h)   Right-of-Way. Pedestrians have the right-of-way while on any Multi-Use Path or Sidewalk located within the City's corporate limits, and all others must yield or adjust their rate and direction of travel to avoid a collision with any and all such pedestrians. However, pedestrians must yield to vehicular traffic at those points where the trail intersects or crosses a Roadway.

(i)   It shall be unlawful for any person to use a Bicycle to deliberately block or close a roadway intersection so as to facilitate the passage of other bicyclists through the intersection without stopping, yielding to other traffic, or in contravention of the traffic signals, traffic control devices, signs, posted speed limits, or markings upon a Roadway, Bicycle Lane, Sidewalk, or Multi-Use Path.

 (j)   Monon Greenway Speed Limits. No vehicle on which one or more persons and/or property is or may be transported or drawn, whether motorized or propelled by human power, the wind, or in any other manner, may operate or travel in excess of 20 m.p.h. on or along the Monon Greenway, or at such lesser speed as is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then present, except that no such vehicle may operate or travel in excess of 15 m.p.h., or at such lesser speed as is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then present, on or along the Monon Greenway from and including its intersection with 111th Street to and including its intersection with 136th Street, and provided that such speed limitations shall not apply to public police, fire, health, and safety vehicles.

 (k)   Penalties. Any person violating this section shall be subject to a fine of $10, for the first such offense, a fine of $25, for the second offense, and a fine of $100, plus costs, for all subsequent offenses. This does not limit the authority of the court to impose additional penalties as permitted by law for moving violations, including suspension of driving privileges and mandating the violator attend and complete a defensive driving class. First and second offense violations of this section may be filed with the City Court Ordinance Violations Bureau.


City of Carmel, Chapter 8-40 Operation of Motor Vehicles and Bicycles in Roadways and Bicycle Lanes. (Three-Foot Passing)

(e)   Passing of Bicycles. The driver of any Motor Vehicle operating within the City's corporate limits, whenever passing a Bicycle then proceeding in the same direction on any Roadway, shall maintain at all times a distance of not less than three feet from said Bicycle during the entire passing maneuver.


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