Charles River Wheelers

Massachusetts Bicycle and Related Laws

2025-01-21 10:48 AM | Wheel People (Administrator)

By John S. Allen

CRW can take pride in its support for lawful and courteous use of the roads and paths on which we ride. This important for our safety, and interaction among ourselves and with other travelers -- also for our being welcome in the communities where we ride.

Sometimes, though, questions arise about what actually is legal. And Massachusetts traffic lawa can be confusing. They are scattered in the General Laws, ordinances of cities and towns, regulations for state highways and DCR property... Also, there have been some significant important amendments recently.

My friend and CyclingSavvy colleague Eli Damon created a detailed summary of Massachusetts bicycling laws as several years ago. I have been updating it since. The remainder of this article is the updated summary. It includes inks to the underlying laws in case you want to take a deeper dive. I can be thankful that everything to look up is online now, and so is Wheelpeople, so the information is only a click away!

Access (MGL 85-11B)

  • Cycling is permitted on all public ways (roads and trails) except limited-access or express state highways where signs prohibiting bicycles have been posted.

Behavior (MGL 85-11B)

Obeying the Traffic Law

  • Bicyclists are required to obey the traffic laws for drivers, with specific provisions and exceptions.

Group Cycling

  • Cycling more than 2 abreast is prohibited.
  • Cycling 2 abreast is permitted subject to the duty to facilitate overtaking (MGL 89-2).
  • Cyclists riding 2 abreast must ride within a single lane.

Passing on Right

  • Cyclists usually pass on the left but are permitted to pass on the right – though this can be hazardous!

Cycling on Sidewalks

  • Cycling is permitted on sidewalks when necessary in the interest of safety except in designated business districts, unless otherwise directed by local ordinance.
  • Cyclists on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking a pedestrian. 

Signaling

  • Cyclists are required to signal their intention to stop or turn. 
  • Signals need not be made continuously and shall not be made when both hands are needed for the safe operation of the bicycle. 
  • Signals may be made with either hand.
  • Audible warning when needed (voice or bell); no siren or whistle.

No Hands

  • A cyclist must keep at least one hand on the handlebar at all times.

Equipment (MGL 85-11B)

Seat

  • A cyclist must ride upon or astride a permanent and regular seat.

Cargo

  • Cargo must be carried in or on a basket, rack, trailer or other device designed for such purposes.

Modifications

  • No handlebars above shoulders or extended front fork.

Passengers

  • A passenger must ride only upon or astride a permanent and regular seat or on or in a trailer.
  • A passenger between the ages of 1 and 4 must be in a “baby seat”, on a tandem, able comfortably to reach the handlebar and pedals or on or in a trailer.
  • A passenger under 1 must be in a trailer.

Helmets

  • A cyclist 16 or younger must wear a helmet
  • A passenger 16 or younger unless in an enclosed trailer.
  • Helmets must meet standards and be properly fitted and adjusted.

Brakes

  • Must enable a cyclist to stop safely from 15 mph within 30' on a dry, clean, hard, level surface. 

Lights and Reflectors

  • Cyclists must use lights and reflectors from ½ hr. after sunset to ½ hr. before sunrise.
  • During this time, the cyclist must:
  • Use a white headlight visible from 500'.
  • Use a red taillight and a red rear reflector.
  • Have pedal or ankle reflectors and reflectors facing to each side.
  • A generator-powered light that activates only when the bike is moving is OK. 
  • Reflectors must be visible from 600' when directly in front of lower beams of a motor vehicle's headlights.

Ebikes (MGL 85-11B 3/4, 90-1, 90-1C, 90-1E)

  • Prohibited on sidewalks.
  • May be prohibited on some trails by local regulation. 
  • Class 1 and 2 (20 mph assisted top speed without/with throttle) are defined as electric bicycles, others defined as motorized scooters or motorcycles and subject to rules for them.

Laws That Apply to All Drivers Including Cyclists

Laws for drivers apply. Note especially:

Cyclists May Use the Full Lane

  • Cyclists are not required to ride at the edge or in the door zone. “Upon all ways the driver of a vehicle shall drive in the lane nearest the right side of the way when such lane is available for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.” (MGL 89-4B

Safe Passing

  • “If it is not possible to overtake...at a safe distance in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane, crossing the centerline if necessary, when...safe... and...adhering to the roadway speed limit” (MGL 89-2).
  • “In passing a vulnerable user, the operator of a motor vehicle shall pass at a safe distance of not less than 4 feet and at a reasonable and proper speed” (MGL 90-14).

Passing On Right

  • “The driver of a vehicle may, if the roadway is free from obstruction and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles, overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle...(a) making or about to make a left turn, (b) upon a one-way street, or (c) upon any [one-way] roadway” (MGL 89-2).

Lane-splitting, Lane Changes

  • “The...vehicle shall be entirely within a single lane, and [the driver] shall not move from the lane...until he has first ascertained if such movement can be made with safety” (MGL 89-4A). 

Violations

Reporting Crashes (MGL 85-11B)

  • Cyclists must report a crash to local police if it involves personal injury or at least $100 worth of property damage.

Penalties (MGL 85-11B, 85-11E)

  • Penalty can be up to $20, but no penalty for not wearing a helmet.
  • Violators under 18 can have their bikes impounded for up to 15 days.
  • Violations by cyclists under 18 cannot affect any civil right or liability and cannot be considered a criminal offense.
  • Violations do not affect a cyclist's license to operate a motor vehicle or status in the safe driver insurance plan.
  • Parents and guardians are responsible for violations committed by cyclists under 18.

Police Stops (MGL 85-11E) 

  • A police officer who observes a traffic law violation committed by a bicyclist may request the offender to state his or her name and address. Refusing to do so, or stating a false name and address shall be punished by a fine of $20-$50. An offender who refuses to state his or her true name and address may be arrested without a warrant. Presenting ID is not required.
  • Cyclists cannot be arrested for traffic violations.
  • For cyclists under 16 committing traffic violations, police officers may give the notice to the parent or guardian.

Note: Massachusetts General Laws leave out many details, including, for example, what is required at a red, amber or green traffic signal. These are covered in ordinances of the 351 cities and towns (see Sample Regulation), in Mass. Highway Department regulations (CMR 700 9.00), in Department of Conservation and Recreation regulations (CMR 302) and in regulations for quasi-public entities, notably Massport. Regulations and ordinances cannot overturn provisions of the General Laws except (rarely) where the Legislature has granted a home-rule petition to a city or town. Example: in Provincetown, bicyclists are allowed to travel in both directions on one-way Commercial Street. 

Comments

  • 2025-01-21 7:34 PM | John O'Dowd (Administrator)
    Thank you for this summary John. I would love to see a link to this in our ride posts, or at least in a conspicuous place somewhere on our website.
    Link  •  Reply

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