Indiana Cycling Laws

9-21-11-1 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.
(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 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 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 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.
(b) A person may not ride upon a bicycle unless seated under this section.

9-21-11-4 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.

9-21-11-5 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 attach the bicycle, coaster, roller skates, or toy vehicle or the person to a street car or vehicle upon a roadway.

9-21-11-6 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.

9-21-11-7 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.

9-21-11-8 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.

9-21-11-9 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.

9-21-11-10 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.

9-21-11-11. Traffic regulation and requirements
Sec. 11. A person who operates a bicycle upon a highway shall observe the regulations and requirements of this article.

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