Bike Laws in Boston
The State legislature determines most laws about bicycling. We’ve summarized Mass. General Law Chapter 85, Section 11B below.
Additional relevant sections of the Mass. General Law include:
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Still have questions? Contact:
Boston Bikes
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1 City Hall Square, Room 721
Boston, MA 02201
YOU MUST
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Follow all traffic laws and regulations, including stopping at stop signs and following all traffic lights, unless signs are posted otherwise.
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Ride in the same direction of traffic unless the street is signed otherwise.
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Use hand signals to indicate stops or turns, unless you need both of your hands to operate your bike safely.
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Ring a bell or give another audible signal whenever necessary to ensure safe operation of your bicycle. Do not use a siren or whistle.
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Keep at least one hand on your handlebars at all times.
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Carry packages, bundles, or articles in or on a basket, rack, trailer, or other device designed for such purposes.
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Report any crash involving either personal injury or at least $100 worth of property damage to the police department.
YOU MAY
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Ride a bike on all roads in Massachusetts except limited access or express state highways where signs prohibiting bicycles are posted.
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Pass cars on the right.
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Ride your bike on sidewalks when necessary in the interest of safety, except where prohibited by signs and markings. We encourage you to use the street.
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Ride side-by-side with another bicyclist. You both must stay in a single lane.
WHEN RIDING ON A SIDEWALK OR SHARED USE PATH, YOU MUST
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Yield to pedestrians.
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Ring a bell or give another audible signal when you pass a person walking. Do not use a siren or whistle.
YOUR BIKE MUST HAVE
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A permanent seat attached to the bicycle
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A braking system that allows you to stop within 30 feet when traveling at 15 mph on a dry, clean, hard, level surface
WHEN RIDING AT NIGHT, YOU MUST HAVE
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A white light on the front of your bike visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet
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A red light or reflector on the back of your bike
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Reflectors, on either your pedals or ankles, that are visible from the front and back of your bicycle
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Reflectors, on either your bike or your clothing, that are visible from the left and right sides of your bike
Night is defined as one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. Your lights may be generator-powered lamps, which emit light only when the bicycle is moving. All reflectors must be visible from a distance of at least 600 feet when directly in front of lower beams of headlamps of a motor vehicle.
WHEN BIKING WITH passengers, including children, YOU MUST
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Have an additional permanent seat for each passenger or carry them in a trailer towed by your bike.
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Carry children between the ages of one and four, or weighing forty pounds or less in ''baby seat'' that is attached to the bicycle, on a tandem bicycle that allows the child to comfortably reach the handlebars and pedals, or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
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Ensure that any "baby seat" attached to your bike allows the child to sit upright, has a harness that holds the child securely in the seat, and prevents the child’s hands and feet from reaching the wheel spokes.
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Ensure that children 16 years old or younger wear a helmet. Children don’t need to wear a helmet if they are inside an enclosed trailer that restrains them and protects their heads in a crash.