2001 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE BILL NO. 611

INTRODUCED BY J. PATTISON

BY REQUEST OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE



A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING CERTAIN EQUIPMENT ON BICYCLES; REQUIRING A PERSON OPERATING A BICYCLE AT NIGHT ON A ROADWAY TO WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING; REQUIRING A PERSON UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE TO WEAR PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR; PROVIDING CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FOR BICYCLE RACING; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 61-8-607 AND 61-8-609, MCA."



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



     Section 1.  Section 61-8-607, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-8-607.  Lamps and other equipment on bicycles. (1) Every A bicycle when in use at nighttime shall operated at night must be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front. A lamp emitting a nonflashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to rear-facing reflectors required by this section.

     (2)  Every A bicycle when in use at nighttime shall operated at night must be equipped with an essentially colorless front-facing reflector, essentially colorless or amber pedal reflectors, and a red rear-facing reflector. Pedal reflectors shall must be mounted on the front and back of each pedal.

     (3)  Every A bicycle when in use at nighttime shall operated at night must be equipped with either tires with retroflective sidewalls or reflectors mounted on the spokes of each wheel. Spoke-mounted Spoke-mounted reflectors shall must be within 76 millimeters (3 inches) of the inside of the rim and shall must be visible on each side of the wheel. The reflectors on the front wheel shall must be essentially colorless or amber, and the reflectors on the rear wheel shall must be amber or red.

     (4)  Reflectors required by this section shall must be of a type approved by the department.

     (5)  Every A bicycle shall must be equipped with a brake which will enable that enables the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

     (6)  Every A bicycle is encouraged to operated on a roadway as defined in 61-8-605 must be equipped with a red rear-facing reflector, a red light displayed toward the rear that is visible for at least 300 feet in normal sunlight, or a flag clearly visible from the rear and suspended not less than 6 feet above the roadway when the bicycle is standing upright. The flag shall must be fluorescent orange in color. If the bicycle is equipped with a red light and the light flashes, it must flash at a rate of not less than 200 flashes a minute and may not be used during periods when headlamps are required to be under used 61-9-201.

     (7) A bicycle operated or a person operating a bicycle on a roadway as defined in 61-8-605 must be equipped with a rear-view mirror that reflects to the operator a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the bicycle.

     (8) A person operating a bicycle at night on a roadway as defined in 61-8-605 shall wear or display reflective clothing visible from any angle to the rider.

     (9) A person under 13 years of age who operates a bicycle on a roadway as defined in 61-8-605 shall wear protective headgear at all times. The headgear must be properly worn and fitted."



     Section 2.  Section 61-8-609, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-8-609.  Bicycle racing -- when lawful. (1) Bicycle racing on a highway is prohibited except as authorized in this section.

     (2)  Bicycle racing on a highway is lawful when if a racing event is approved in writing by state the department or a local authorities authority on any a highway under their its respective jurisdictions jurisdiction. Approval of bicycle highway racing events will may be granted only under conditions that assure ensure reasonable safety for all race participants, spectators, and other highway users and that prevent unreasonable interference with traffic flow.

     (3)  By agreement with the approving authority, participants in an approved bicycle highway racing event may be exempted from compliance with:

     (a) any traffic laws otherwise applicable if traffic control is adequate to assure ensure the safety of all highway users; and

     (b) the equipment and clothing requirements in 61-8-607(6) through (8)."

- END -




Latest Version of HB 611 (HB0611.01)
Processed for the Web on February 16, 2001 (5:24PM)

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