Newfields Police Department 

A Level I New Hampshire Accredited Agency

Chapter Six: Bicycle Regulations

600 Purpose

The purpose and intent of this section is to establish regulations pertaining to the licensing and operation of bicycles and people powered vehicles in the Town of Newfields.

601 Definitions

• Bicycle: Every peddled vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which a person or persons can ride.

• Party: Means person or persons.

• Sidewalk: Any town maintained parcel designed for the convenience of the pedestrian public.

602 License Required

1. The Town of Newfields urges, but does not mandate, registration of bicycles. Any person, firm or corporation requesting a registration shall come and submit their request to the Newfields Police Department.

2. It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police or his agents to receive and act on all requests received and to issue a registration following the inspection of the bicycle and it is found to be in safe mechanical condition.

3. The Newfields Police Department shall also keep a record of the registration number assigned to each bicycle, the date issued, the name of the party to whom issued and the number of the frame of the bicycle for which issued.

603 Operation

1. Application of Motor Vehicle Laws to Bicycles: Every person propelling a vehicle by human power or riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle in accordance with the rules of the road, except as to special regulations in this subdivision and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application (RSA 265:143).

2. Obedience to Traffic Ordinances: Exceptions: No person or persons operating a bicycle in the Town shall disobey the regulations contained herein, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or when such person dismounts from the bicycle and obeys all the traffic ordinance provisions applicable to pedestrians.

3. Riding on Bicycles (RSA 265:144):

• A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.

• No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

• No person riding upon any bicycle , coaster, roller skates/blades, skateboard, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same of him/herself to any vehicle (RSA 265:144) upon a way.

• No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handle bars.

• Persons riding bicycles two or more abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

• Bicyclists shall stop upon demand of a police officer and permit his/her bicycle to be inspected.

• Bicyclists intending to turn right or left shall not be required to give a continuous hand or arm signal if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

• No bicycle shall be operated unless the steering, brakes, tires, and other required equipment are in safe condition.

• Any bicycle left unattended shall be locked appropriately.

  d.    Speed: Direction: Bicycles shall not be operated within the Town at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions that exist, and shall be operated as near the right-hand side of the highway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a parked vehicle, or one proceeding in the same direction.

  e.    Yielding Right-Of-Way: Bicycles emerging from an alley or building within the Town shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians; and upon entering the highway shall yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles.

604 Bicycle Parking (RSA 265:152)

1. A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device.

2. A bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

3. A person shall not park a bicycle on a roadway in such a manner as to obstruct the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.

605 Equipment Required

1. Headlamp Required at Night (RSA 266:86) Every bicycle operated upon any way during darkness shall be equipped with a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet in front of the bicycle and with a red reflector on the rear being visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear. A lamp emitting a red light visible from 300 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

2. RSA 266.87 Pedal Reflectors Required: Bike pedals will be equipped with a reflector visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet during darkness.

3. RSA 266:88 Brakes Required: Bikes shall be equipped with brakes enabling it to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 MPH on dry, level, clean pavement.

606 Limitations of Prosecution (RSA 265:151)

Prosecutions under this ordinance shall be instituted within 60 days from the time the offense was committed.

607 Penalties

1. Any person violating the provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a violation.

2. Any party who violates any provision of this Chapter may have his/her bicycle impounded by a Police Officer for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.

3. Any party who is found in violation of the Chapter and has his/her bicycle impounded shall pay a fee of five ($5.00) dollars to have the bicycle returned. In the case of a minor (under the age of 16), the fee and release from impounding shall be accomplished by the parents or legal guardian of the child.

4. A summons may be issued to those persons 16 years of age or older for any offense under this Chapter.

5. Any party who is found to be guilty of a prior offense in this Chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred ($100.00) dollars for each offense.

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