§ 22-5. Regulation of bicycle riders.

All participants in organized bicycle rides in the rural and unincorporated portions of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana shall adhere to the following parish laws and regulations, to-wit:

(1)

Any organized bike ride shall, as a public service, have published a route plan at least 48 hours prior to the ride in any local newspaper that may have coverage in that route area.

(2)

Any organized bicycle ride will have police or security protection on the day or days of the event.

(3)

Any person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this parish shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of motor a vehicle.

(4)

A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent or regular seat attached thereto.

(5)

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

(6)

A person operating a bicycle shall at all times keep at least one hand upon the handle bars thereof.

(7)

No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach himself or the bicycle to any vehicle upon a highway.

(8)

Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

(9)

Persons riding bicycles 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.

(10)

Riders shall allow a safe distance apart for automobiles to pass.

(11)

Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall not use the roadway.

(12)

Every rider must wear approved headgear.

(13)

Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(14)

Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear and a reflector on each side facing outward at a right angle to the bicycle frame, all of a type approved by the department which shall be visible from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

(Ord. No. 02-2003, 1-27-03)