During each May San Antonio joins the rest of the country
in celebrating National Bicycle Safety Month. For more information on the
2008 Schedule of Bike events, go to
"WALK AND ROLL 2008."
San Antonio residents are
encouraged to enjoy the exercise and economy of riding a
bike -- to work, to the park, to shop, or just ride for fun, not only
during National Bicycle Month, but all year long.
NEW SCOOTER/MINI-MOTORBIKE ORDINANCE
The City Council of San Antonio recently
passed an Ordinance regulating the use of various motor-powered
scooters, mini-motorbikes, and neighborhood electric
vehicles on sidewalks, streets and highways within the City.
The Ordinance is in
effect beginning February 24, 2006. For the full text of the
Ordinance, including illustrations of some of the included
vehicles, please go to
SCOOTER MINI-MOTORBIKE ORDINANCE.
BICYCLE LAWS
While riding, all bicyclists (and all riders
of motorized scooters and electric bicycles) need to observe
safety precautions and laws. It may come as a surprise to many cyclists,
but the Texas Transportation Code clearly states that when riding
on a public road (or on a bicycle path):
"A person operating a
bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a
vehicle ..." [TTC 551.101]
(This includes observing all stop signs,
stop lights, street directional signs, etc.)
In addition, a person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime (on
public roads or bicycle path) unless
the bicycle is equipped with a light on the front and an approved
reflector on the back. [TTC 551.104]
Any violation of these laws is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine
up to $200.
In addition, in San Antonio, City Ordinance does not allow bicycles
to be ridden on sidewalks (except for law enforcement and emergency
personnel) [City of San Antonio Ordinances Sec. 19-286]
To view the Texas definitions and regulations of "bicycles", "moped", "motor-driven
cycle" and other vehicles, please go to
Texas Transportation
Code, Chapter 541 (Definitions) and Chapter 551 (Operation of Bicycles,
Mopeds, and Play Vehicles), or click here for
Selected Texas
Bicycle Laws.
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