Bicycles and Electric Bicycles in the City of Rollingwood

City Ordinance

Sec. 32-66. - Operation of bicycle restricted.

Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section

Texas Transportation Code

Sec. 551.101. RIGHTS AND DUTIES.

(a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle under this subtitle, unless:

(1) a provision of this chapter alters a right or duty; or

(2) a right or duty applicable to a driver operating a vehicle cannot by its nature apply to a person operating a bicycle.

(b) A parent of a child or a guardian of a ward may not knowingly permit the child or ward to violate this subtitle

Sec. 551.102. GENERAL OPERATION.

(a) A person operating a bicycle shall ride only on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.

(b) A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.

(c) A person operating a bicycle may not use the bicycle to carry an object that prevents the person from operating the bicycle with at least one hand on the handlebars of the bicycle.

(d) A person operating a bicycle, coaster, sled, or toy vehicle or using roller skates may not attach either the person or the bicycle, coaster, sled, toy vehicle, or roller skates to a streetcar or vehicle on a roadway.

Sec. 551.103. OPERATION ON ROADWAY.

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless:

(1) the person is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction;

(2) the person is preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway;

(3) a condition on or of the roadway, including a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or surface hazard prevents the person from safely riding next to the right curb or edge of the roadway; or

(4) the person is operating a bicycle in an outside lane that is:

(A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane; or

(B) too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel side by side.

(b) A person operating a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of the roadway.

(c) Persons operating bicycles on a roadway may ride two abreast. Persons riding two abreast on a laned roadway shall ride in a single lane. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway. Persons may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.

Sec. 551.104. SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

(a) A person may not operate a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(b) A person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle is equipped with:

(1) a lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle; and

(2) on the rear of the bicycle:

(A) a red reflector that is:

(i) of a type approved by the department; and

(ii) visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear of the bicycle; or

(B) a lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.

Sec. 551.105. COMPETITIVE RACING.

(a) In this section, "bicycle" means a non-motorized vehicle propelled by human power.

(b) A sponsoring organization may hold a competitive bicycle race on a public road only with the approval of the appropriate local law enforcement agencies.

(c) The local law enforcement agencies and the sponsoring organization may agree on safety regulations governing the movement of bicycles during a competitive race or during training for a competitive race, including the permission for bicycle operators to ride abreast.

Sec. 551.106. REGULATION OF BICYCLES BY DEPARTMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY.

(a) The department or a local authority may not prohibit the operation of an electric bicycle:

(1) on a highway that is used primarily by motor vehicles; or

(2) in an area in which the operation of a nonelectric bicycle is permitted, unless the area is a path that:

(A) is not open to motor vehicles; and

(B) has a natural surface tread made by clearing and grading the native soil without adding surfacing materials.

(b) The department or a local authority may:

(1) prohibit the operation of a bicycle on a sidewalk; and

(2) establish speed limits for bicycles on paths set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles and other paths on which bicycles may be operated.

Sec. 551.107. OPERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLE.

(a) Subtitles A, B, and D and Chapter 551A do not apply to the operation of an electric bicycle.

(b) A person may not operate an electric bicycle unless the electric motor disengages or ceases to function either:

(1) when the operator stops pedaling; or

(2) when the brakes are applied.

(c) A person may not operate a Class 3 electric bicycle, as defined by Section 664.001, unless the person is at least 15 years of age. This subsection does not prohibit a person who is under 15 years of age from riding on a Class 3 bicycle as a passenger.

Sec. 664.002. LABELING.

(a) A person who manufactures or sells an electric bicycle shall apply a permanent label to the electric bicycle in a prominent location that shows in Arial font in at least 9-point type:

(1) whether the electric bicycle is a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 electric bicycle;

(2) the top assisted speed of the electric bicycle; and

(3) the motor wattage of the electric bicycle.

(b) A person who changes the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric bicycle shall replace the label required by Subsection (a) to show accurate information about the electric bicycle.

Sec. 664.003. FEDERAL STANDARDS.

A person who manufactures or sells an electric bicycle shall ensure that the bicycle complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 C.F.R. Part 1512.

Texas Transportation Code Definitions

(1) "Class 1 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle:

(A) equipped with a motor that assists the rider only when the rider is pedaling; and
(B) with a top assisted speed of 20 miles per hour or less.

(2) "Class 2 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle:

(A) equipped with a motor that may be used to propel the bicycle without the pedaling of the rider; and
(B) with a top assisted speed of 20 miles per hour or less.

(3) "Class 3 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle:

(A) equipped with a motor that assists the rider only when the rider is pedaling; and
(B) with a top assisted speed of more than 20 but less than 28 miles per hour.

(4) "Electric bicycle" means a bicycle:

(A) equipped with:

(i) fully operable pedals; and
(ii) an electric motor of fewer than 750 watts; and

(B) with a top assisted speed of 28 miles per hour or less.

(5) "Top assisted speed" means the speed at which the bicycle's motor ceases propelling the bicycle or assisting the rider.