There are several laws in the Georgia Code that apply to bicycles.  Here’s a selection of some of the key provisions.  Like most legal language, it can be a bit tough to interpret the meaning behind the words…  As we are not legal experts, we will not attempt to interpret the underlying meaning of the language in these laws.  Consult a lawyer if you have questions about the interpretation of these laws.

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of all the laws of the State of Georgia that govern bicycles and their operation.  Contact the State of Georgia for a more complete set of laws in the Georgia Code.

 40-6-293.     

No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

 40-6-294.     

(a)  Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling, when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, when traveling at the same speed as traffic, or while exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road.  As used in this subsection, the term ‘hazards to safe cycling’ includes, but is not limited to, surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates which are parallel to the side of the roadway, parked or stopped vehicles, potentially opening car doors, or any other objects which threaten the safety of a person operating a bicycle.

(b)  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.

 40-6-296.

(a)  Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety which shall be visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlights on a motor vehicle.  A light emitting a red light visible from a distance of 300 to the rear may be used in addition to the rear reflector.

 (b) Every bicycle sold or operated shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level pavement.

 (e)(1) No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle path, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivision thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet.

 (e)(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term ‘bicycle helmet’ means a piece of protective headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standards for bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation.

 (e)(3) For the purposes of this subsection, a person shall be deemed to wear a helmet only if a helmet of good fit is fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet.

 In addition, may jurisdictions, including the City of Atlanta, limit or prohibit people from riding on sidewalks:

 150-210. Riding on Sidewalks

(a) Business District.  No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district or the central traffic district.

 (b) Age Restriction.  No person 13 or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district.

Updated 06/27/07