OKLAHOMA STATE LAW - 2011 - MOTORIZED BICYCLES

OKLAHOMA STATE LAW--MOTORIZED BICYCLES

High gas prices just naturally get people thinking about bicycles. The new motorized bicycle craze is just getting started. We all need to know the rules of the road. This post contains the complete list of Oklahoma State Laws concerning bicycles, electric assisted and gas engine assisted bicycles.  KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - according to the law.

§47-1-104.  Bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, and motorized bicycle.

Oklahoma State Law - 2011 - Motorized bicycles

S.S. 47-11-1103

Persons 16 years and over can carry passenger on any highway of this state; if the vehicle is factory-designed and equipped with either a double seating device with double foot rests; or a sidecar attachment.

No rider shall hold to any moving vehicle for the purpose of being propelled.

No driver shall pass other vehicles between lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.

§47-11-805.2.  Electric-assisted bicycle operators.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, operators of electric-assisted bicycles, as defined in Section 1-104 of this title, shall:

1.        Possess a Class A, B, C or D license, but shall be exempt from a motorcycle endorsement;

2.     Not be subject to motor vehicle liability insurance requirements only as they pertain to the operation of electric-assisted bicycles;

3.    Be authorized to operate an electric-assisted bicycle wherever bicycles are authorized to be operated;

4.        Be prohibited from operating an electric-assisted bicycle wherever bicycles are prohibited from operating; and

5.        Wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet, which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation Standards for protective headgear for use in bicycling, provided such operator is eighteen (18) years of age or less.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 285, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1996.  Renumbered from § 19-201 of this title by Laws 2002, c. 397, § 35, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 521, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§47-1-104.  Bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, and motorized bicycle.

A.  A bicycle is a device upon which any person or persons may ride, propelled solely by human power through a belt, chain, or gears, and having two or more wheels, excluding mopeds.

B.  An electric-assisted bicycle is any bicycle with:

          1.  Two or three wheels; and

          2.  Fully operative pedals for human propulsion and equipped with an electric motor: 
a.  with a power output not to exceed one thousand (1,000) watts, 
b.  incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, and
c. incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device at a speed of thirty (30) miles per hour or more.

An electric-assisted bicycle shall meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as set forth in federal regulations and shall operate in such a manner that the electric motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied.

C.  A motorized bicycle is any bicycle having:

          1.  Fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power;

          2.  An automatic transmission; and

          3.  A combustion engine with a piston or rotor displacement of one         hundred fifty cubic centimeters (150 cu cm) or less, regardless of the          number of chambers in the engine, which is capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of not more than thirty (30) miles     per hour on level ground.

D.  As used in this title, the term "bicycle" shall include tricycles, quad cycles, or similar human-powered devices, electric-assisted bicycles, and motorized bicycles unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 315, § 1-104, eff. Sept. 1, 1961.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 411, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 521, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2006, c. 173, § 1, eff. July 1, 2006; Laws 2007, c. 330, § 1.

§47-11-1203.  Riding on bicycle or motorized scooter.

A.  A person operating a bicycle shall ride upon or astride a permanent and regular attached seat.

B.  No bicycle or motorized scooter shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 390, § 11-1203.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 521, § 13, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

§47-12-709.  Sirens.

A bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle, any siren.

Added by Laws 2003, c.411, § 82, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.

§47-12-708.  Brakes.

Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty-five (25) feet from a speed of ten (10) miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

Added by Laws 2003, c.411, § 81, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.

§47-11-1208.  Overtaking and passing bicycle - Violations - Fines and penalties.

A.  When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three (3) feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle.

B.  If a person violates the provisions of subsection A of this section and the violation results in a collision causing serious physical injury to another person, the person shall be subject to a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

C.  If a person violates the provisions of subsection A of this section and the violation results in the death of another person, the person shall be subject to a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law.

Added by Laws 2006, c. 173, § 3, eff. July 1, 2006.

§47-11-1205.  Riding on roadway, one-way street or highway.

A.  Every person operating a bicycle or motorized scooter upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as is safe to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:

          1.  When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

          2.  When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

          3.  When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions and while exercising due care, including but not limited to:

                    a.  fixed or moving objects,

                    b.  parked or moving vehicles,

                    c.  pedestrians or animals,

                    d.  surface hazards, or

                    e.  any time it is unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway; and

4.  When riding in the right-turn-only lane.

B.  Any person riding a bicycle or motorized scooter upon a one-way street or highway with two or more marked lanes of travel may ride as close as is safe to the left-hand curb or edge of the street or highway.

C.  No person operating a bicycle or motorized scooter shall pass other vehicles between lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.

D.  Persons riding bicycles or motorized scooters upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorized scooters.  Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 390, § 11-1205, eff. Sept. 1, 1961.  Amended by Laws 1993, c. 301, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 2003, c. 411, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 521, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2006, c. 173, § 2, eff. July 1, 2006.

§47-12-706.  Reflective material.

Every bicycle when in use at the times described in subsection B of Section 12 201 of this title shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred (600) feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 411, § 79, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.  Amended by Laws 2005, c. 50, § 19, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.

§47-12-704.  Reflector.

Every bicycle shall be equipped with a red reflector which shall be visible for six hundred (600) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

Added by Laws 2003, c.411, § 77, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.

§47-12-703.  Rear lamp.

Every bicycle in use at the times described in subsection B of Section 12 201 of this title shall be equipped with a lamp on the rear emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear.  This section shall not apply to a street or highway with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 411, § 76, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.  Amended by Laws 2005, c. 50, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.

§47-12-702.  Front lamp.

Every bicycle in use at the times described in subsection B of Section 12 201 of this title shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least one thousand (1,000) feet to the front.  This section shall not apply to a street or highway with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 411, § 75, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.  Amended by Laws 2005, c. 50, § 17, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.

§47 11 1206.  Carrying articles.

No person operating a bicycle or motorized scooter shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handle bars.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 391, § 11 1206.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 521, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

Shebolith Says…To the best of my knowledge this is a true copy of the laws of Oklahoma concerning motorized bicycles. For localized/town or city laws, check with your municipality. Stay safe and enjoy the ride.