YOU AND THE LAW™: The local news broadcast a story about a bicyclist receiving serious injuries after being hit by a motor vehicle. Below are the laws that apply to cyclist.
LSA R.S. 32:194
Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Chapter, except as to special regulations in this Part, including special regulations applying to peace officers utilizing bicycles in furtherance of their official duties, and except as to those provisions of this Chapter which by their very nature can have no application.
LSA R.S. 32:195
A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent or regular seat attached thereto.
B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
C. A person operating a bicycle shall at all times keep at least one hand upon the handle bars thereof.
LSA R.S. 32:196
No person riding upon any bicycle, skates, skateboard or any other
nonmotorized rideable device shall attach himself or the device to any
vehicle upon a highway.
LSA R.S. 32:197
A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near
to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care
when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction,
except under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects,
vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or
substandard width lane or any other conditions that make it unsafe to
continue along the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. For purposes
of this Paragraph, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too
narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within
the lane.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
B. Repealed by Acts 2011, No. 244, §3.
C. 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.
D. Persons riding bicycles shall be allowed to operate on the shoulder of a roadway.
E. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or a highway, where there are two or more marked traffic lanes and traffic travels in only one direction, may ride as near the left-hand curb or shoulder of that roadway as practicable when preparing for a left turn.