Indiana Bicycle and Moped Statutes

Provided By: New Whiteland Police Department

The following are the Indiana statutes regarding bicycles.

9-13-2-109. Motorized bicycle.

“Motorized bicycle” means a two (2) or three (3) wheeled vehicle that is propelled by an internal combustion engine or a battery powered motor, and if powered by an internal combustion engine, has the following:

(1) An engine rating of not more than two (2) horsepower and a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty (50) cubic centimeters.

(2) An automatic transmission.

9-21-11-1. Parents or guardians may not authorize or knowingly permit children or protected persons to violate the chapter.

(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.

(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.

9-21-11-2. Rights and duties in general of person riding bicycle.

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 vehicle, except the following:

(1) Special regulations of this article.

(2) Those provisions of this article that by their nature have no application.

9-21-11-3. Bicyclist must be seated upon permanent and regular attached seat — Carrying of another person upon bicycle prohibited.

(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.

(b) A person may not ride upon a bicycle unless seated under this section.

9-21-11-4. Number of persons that may be carried on bicycle.

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.

9-21-11-5. Bicycle and other similar vehicles may not be attached to street car or vehicle.

9-21-11-6. Prohibition against riding more than two abreast.

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.

9-21-11-7. Prohibition against carrying anything preventing both hands from being kept upon handlebars.

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.

9-21-11-8. Bicycle to be equipped with bell or other similar device.

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.

9-21-11-9. Times when bicycles to be equipped with lamps.

A bicycle operated on a highway from one-half (½) hour after sunset until one-half (½) 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

9-21-11-10. Bicycles to be equipped with brake.

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.

9-21-11-11. Regulations and requirements of article to be observed by bicyclists.

A person who operates a bicycle upon a highway shall observe the regulations and requirements of this article.

9-21-11-12. Restrictions on operation of motorized bicycles.

A motorized bicycle may not be operated under any of the following conditions:

(1) By a person less than fifteen (15) years of age.

(2) By a person who has not obtained an identification card under IC 9-24, a permit under IC 9-24, an operator's license under IC 9-24, a chauffeur's license under IC 9-24, or a public passenger chauffeur's license under IC 9-24.

(3) On an interstate highway or a sidewalk.

(4) At a speed greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour.

9-21-11-13. Protective headgear and glasses to be worn by persons less than eighteen years of age operating or riding motorized bicycle.

A person less than eighteen (18) years of age who operates or rides a motorized bicycle on a street or highway shall do the following:

(1) Wear protective headgear meeting the minimum standards set by the bureau or a helmet that meets the standards established by the United States Department of Transportation under 49 CFR 571.218 in effect January 1, 1979.

(2) Wear protective glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield.

(3) A maximum design speed of not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour on a flat surface.