In fat, cyclists can travel in the driving lane and drivers can cross the double yellow lane when passing cyclists as long as the bike is traveling at less than half the speed limit. Today, more than 60,000 miles of trails and roads on national forests and grasslands are currently open to e-bike use. Rather, (2) These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is … 61-8-601. 61-8-606. However, it’s also very important to understand the bike laws in Montana so that the state can keep its distinction of being the safest state for cyclists. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) (b), a person operating a bicycle or moped on and along a sidewalk or across a roadway on and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. Carrying articles. When visibility, due to foul weather, is reduced to 500 ft or less. Signal Turns and Be Predictable. Obeying the laws will not only keep you safe but also prevent you from being ticketed by law enforcement. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection, private road, or driveway. Get back to Bike/Ped pages.. THIS SITE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY BICYCLE UNIVERSE LLC. COPYRIGHT © 2020 BICYCLE UNIVERSE LLC. Bikes are considered to be vehicles, in that cyclists enjoy all the rights and duties that the driver of a vehicle do (except certain circumstances that wouldn’t apply to bikes and cars anyway). When riding on the same road as cars, it is required that bikes are ridden on the right-hand lane of the road, except under the following circumstances: You will notice that there is one thing missing here that shows up in other states: safe passing. Contact Ben Dodge to see if the bicycle crash lawyers at Bike Accident Attorneys (BAA) can help. Bicycling plays a big role in Montana's transportation system. If you ride a bicycle in Montana, it is essential that you understand the laws regarding the use of bicycles on public roadways. Bicycle Traffic Riding On Bicycles Or Mopeds 61-8-603. If the road is a one-way road with two or more marked traffic lanes. A moped is any vehicle with two or three wheels that cannot excede 30 mph, has an engine capacity of less than 50cc, and has a maximum of 2 brake horsepower. The Department of Transportation encourages travel by bicycle. There is a social push to wear a helmet, but nothing on the books about it. Headlights must be used: 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Important Things to Keep In Mind Weather. Riding on roadways. TITLE 61. Montana has some great history with cyclists. Lamps and other equipment on bicycles and mopeds. Get a bike, lose the car, help the environment. This will help prevent any unecessary collisions. You must have a motorcycle endorsement (and complete all the training and exams that go along with it) and register your motor-driven cycle then same way … State of Montana Bicycle Laws Link to the laws on the state website. These lanes are reserved solely for bicyclists and should not be used by automobiles or pedestrians. 61-8-601 Effect of regulations; 61-8-602 Traffic laws applicable to persons operating bicycles or mopeds; 61-8-603 Riding on bicycles or mopeds; 61-8-604 Clinging to vehicles; 61-8-605 Riding on roadways; 61-8-606 Carrying articles; 61-8-607 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles and mopeds; 61-8-608 Bicycles or mopeds on sidewalks and bike lanes; 61-8-609 Bicycle or moped racing -- when lawful Montana State Law MCA – Bicycle Traffic. These changes have made Montana roads safer for both motorists and bicyclists. It is common to see packs of bicyclists lining the roads during the warmer months of the year. All in all, Montana is amazing place for cyclists and has some good clean laws to match. How an Electric Bike Is Defined. Montana does not recognize the Idaho stop law, so cyclists still must come to a complete stop when they get to a red light and if the red light doesn’t change, the cyclist has to wait until it does, regardless of whether the sensor detected the bike or not. But it’s just a bike. The rule amends 43 CFR 8340.0-5 to define e-bikes, which are limited to Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. Effect of Regulations (61-8-601) 61-8-605. Identifying the effects of Montana’s bicycle laws, road design standards and education system on bicycle safety required a basic understanding of the responsibilities of various state and local agencies and educational institutions. Montana Code Annotated 2019. The purpose of the Montana State University bicycle program is to promote an environment in which bicycles, pedestrians, and motor vehicles can safely co-exist. A bicycle is a legal vehicle with the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle. We still wouldn’t recommend it though, for the same reason we would say you should wear a helmet: it’s much safer to ride sober and with a helmet than it is to go without or ride under the influence! Electric bikes can be ridden on roads, bike paths, and even state park paths. Cyclists are also allowed to ride on the sidewalk, as long as the cyclist yields the right of way to pedestrians, give a signal when overtaking and passing a pedestrian, and accepts the same rights and duties that pedestrians have when using sidewalks and crosswalks. This sampling of traffic- and safety-related laws is provided for your convenience but it isn't complete. There are a few things which the bike must be equipped with for the cyclist to ride safely. When a driver is attempting to pass a cyclist in the state of Montana, they must follow the Montana State Bicycle Law. Montana also specifies that pedal reflectors which are either colorless or amber must be installed. Montana does have clear definitions of electric bikes and a few regulations on the book. The state of Montana (MT) defines electric bicycles as a bicycle with two operational pedals with a motor attached. Montana also does not have vulnerable road user laws. Code § 61-8-102(2)(g) Nebraska. Montana’s bicycle-specific laws are outlined in Title 61 of the Montana Code Annotated. I promise not to send you spam. In Montana, Bicycle Laws Could Limit Cyclists to Roads With Wide Shoulders Only. This means, for example, that bicyclists are required to stop for traffic lights and stop signs. Bicycles are legally considered “vehicles” on Montana’s roadways. TRAFFIC REGULATION Part 6. Bicycle Universe is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Montana Bicycle Laws Pocket Reference; Montana Office of Tourism’s Guidebook; For general Montana tourism information, including recreational trails, please visit Montana Office of Tourism's website. Traffic laws applicable to persons operating bicycles or mopeds. There are several other notable bicycle laws Montanans should, at the very least, be aware of. Has a maximum speed of 30 MPH on level ground. Electric bicycles are now legal on federal lands in Montana, including on bike trails in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Montana law (61 -8 -102, MCA) defines e -bikes, or “electrically assisted bicycles” as a bicycle with two operational peda ls with a motor attached propels the bicycle and a rider who weighs 170 pounds no faster than 20 miles an hour. Effect of regulations. Bicycle Universe also participates in other affiliate programs and advertising platforms. Montana allows for a bit faster speed than other states: the motor can propel the bike (unassisted by pedaling) to up to 30mp/h. Montana State Law MCA – Right-of-way for bicycles. There is not speed limit when pedaling. BWAM is a volunteer-led organization, run by community and board members. HAD A BICYCLE CRASH IN MONTANA? Bicycles or mopeds on sidewalks and bike lanes. In fact, Montana was named the safest state to commute by bicycle in the United States. Enjoy! Bicycle & Pedestrian Traffic Laws 61.8.5. It’s true! MONTANA’S E-BIKE LAW MONTANA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR THE ROAD In Montana, an e-bike is defined as an “electrically assisted bicycle,” so long as the e-bike has a maximum speed of 20mph. There is no requirement for licensing or registration; however, riders under the age of eighteen must wear a helmet. Bicycle Universe is compensated for referring traffic and business to these sources. Bike lanes, too, are another way the Montana Department of Transportation works to protect bicyclists. And this means that you have plenty of support to keep you safe on the roads and often a very friendly community to bike with. Has a motor that is no bigger than 50 CC, and produces no more than 2 brake horsepower. The power source may not propel device, unassisted, at a speed exceeding 20 mph on a level surface. Please ride safely, be courteous to other roadway users, and abide by all Montana traffic laws. Montana has a Share the Road license plate program with the proceeds going to Bike Walk Montana that helps to advocate for cyclists and pedestrians. There is no statewide bicycle helmet law, but the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) strongly recommends you wear one. It’s illegal to ride while hitched to a moving vehicle and a bike cannot carry more people than there are properly fitted seats for (usually one). Please read our Privacy Policy. Bicyclists should also call out to any pedestrian they intend to overtake or pass. Riding at Night Unlike other lawyers who attempt to represent cyclists, our BAA lawyers actually ride and race their bicycles as well as appear … With so many open highways and such beautiful scenery, Montana can be paradise for bicycle enthusiasts. Before hitting the road, bicycles should also be properly equipped with brakes that are in working order, reflectors, a headlight, and a red tail light or reflector. If the right-hand lane is hazardous in some way, such as parked vehicles, pedestrians, animals, narrow lanes, safety hazards, etc. Bicyclists are expected to follow the very same traffic laws as motorists, such as honoring stop signs and traffic lights, using hand turn signals, and obeying the speed limit. 61-8-603. Essentially, for the purposes of regulation and enforcement, an e- bike is treated as a bicycle. Barnes said Bike Walk Montana would like to see a change in a state law that requires bicyclists to ride single-file. Unsubscribe at any time. Montana’s roads and city streets are the territory of bicyclists as much as motor vehicle operators. don’t weave in and out of traffic. Bicyclists must use proper hand signals when turning left or right or changing lanes. The motor itself cannot require the use of clutching or shifting. However, cyclists in Montana are not required to wear a helmet while riding, regardless of age. Billings, Montana for example, passed an ordinance stating that riders age sixteen and under must wear a helmet while cycling. Like all states in the country, Montana requires road cyclists to follow the same rules and regulations as motor vehicles. This will help prevent any unecessary collisions. Bikes are encouraged to stay on the right, but there’s nothing in the books forcing them to. Section 24-605 of Billings’ city code mandates that anyone under the age of 16 who rides a bicycle must wear a helmet. Montana Bicycle Safety Tips Bicycles are Vehicles. Current Montana Bicycle Law For any accident, it is important to identify who is at fault. In 2017, legislation was put forward to define a safe distance for drivers overtaking bikes, but this hasn’t been put into the law yet. The state defines an electric bike as a bike with two operational pedals and a motor that does not exceed 500W. America's Premier Personal Injury & Accident Law Firm, Common Airbag Safety Issues You Should Know, Filing COVID-19 Injury Claims: A How-To Guide, The Top 7 Most Dangerous Animals in Montana, Top 5 Worst Dog Attacks in Montana History, Bicyclists should ride with both hands on the handlebars and should not. Bike Walk Montana notes that all motor vehicle road laws all apply to bicyclists. 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