HF 918

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/07/2011 09:44am

A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; requiring bicycle operators under age 16 to wear
protective headgear; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.222,
subdivision 6.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.222, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Bicycle equipment.

(a) No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime
unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with a lamp which shall emit a white light
visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector of a type
approved by the Department of Public Safety which is visible from all distances from 100
feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a
motor vehicle. No person may operate a bicycle at any time when there is not sufficient
light to render persons and vehicles on the highway clearly discernible at a distance of 500
feet ahead unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with reflective surfaces that shall
be visible during the hours of darkness from 600 feet when viewed in front of lawful lower
beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. The reflective surfaces shall include reflective
materials on each side of each pedal to indicate their presence from the front or the rear
and with a minimum of 20 square inches of reflective material on each side of the bicycle
or its operator. Any bicycle equipped with side reflectors as required by regulations for
new bicycles prescribed by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
shall be considered to meet the requirements for side reflectorization contained in this
subdivision. A bicycle may be equipped with a rear lamp that emits a red flashing signal.

(b) No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a brake which will
enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(c) No person shall operate upon a highway any bicycle equipped with handlebars
so raised that the operator must elevate the hands above the level of the shoulders in
order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

(d) No person shall operate upon a highway any bicycle which is of such a size as to
prevent the operator from stopping the bicycle, supporting it with at least one foot on the
highway surface and restarting in a safe manner.

new text begin (e) No person under the age of 16 years shall operate a bicycle on a public roadway,
shoulder, sidewalk, bicycle path, trail, or other public way or public land, without wearing
protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of
public safety. A peace officer who witnesses a violation of this paragraph may provide
information to the violator on bicycle safety and on where to obtain a bicycle helmet. No
traffic citation may be issued for violation of this paragraph.
new text end