Recommendations of the Task Force to Review UVC Provisions Covering
Bicycles
§ 12-705—Additional lights or reflectors authorized
"A bicycle or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition
to those required by the foregoing sections. These lights and/or reflectors
may be LED or regular, steady or flashing, as long as they comply with the requirements or
limitations of the department These lights may emit a steady or flashing
light.
Rationale:
There is no need to mention reflectors at all in the second sentence, or
to try and specify that these lights should be "LED or regular" since
the intent of this section is primarily to authorize the use of the
flashing, blinking, or twinkling bike lights that have become
increasingly popular over the past decade.
2. § 11-1211—Bicycle racing
(a) By agreement with the approving authority, participants in
an approved bicycle highway racing event may be exempted from compliance with any traffic
laws otherwise applicable thereto, provided that traffic control is adequate to assure the
safety of all highway users.
(b) Bicycle racing on a highway shall not be unlawful when a racing event has been
approved by state or local authorities on any highway under their respective
jurisdictions. Approval of bicycle highway racing events shall be granted only
under conditions which assure reasonable safety for all race participants, spectators and
other highway users, and which prevent unreasonable interference with traffic flow that
would seriously inconvenience other highway users.
Rationale: This last sentence of subsection (b) succinctly captures the necessary
concern for balancing the needs of traffic safety and the (sometimes-competing) interests
of the parties.
3. §11-606—Method of giving hand-and-arm signals
All hand-and-arm signals shall be given from the left side of the
vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:
1. Left turn—Hand and arm extended horizontally.
2. Right turn—Hand and arm extended upward. Bicyclists
may signal with right arm extended.
3. Stop or decrease speed—Hand and arm extended downward.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a person operating a bicycle
may give a right turn signal by extending the right hand and arm horizontally and to the
right side of the bicycle.
Rationale: It is clearer to mention the right arm possibility for bicyclists in
"2."
rather than later, in a final paragraph. Adding that language " eliminates the need
for the final paragraph, beginning with 'Notwithstanding . . .' which can now be
deleted.
4. §11-1203—Riding on bicycles
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it
is designed or equipped, except that an adult rider may carry a child securely attached adult
rider in a back pack or sling. to the bicycle in a seat or trailer
designed for carrying children.
Rationale: This substitution of a seat or trailer for the current "back pack
or sling" reflects current practice and safety consideration.
Note: These
recommendations come from the 2000 Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force of the National
Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances. Please refer any comments by
email, fax or mail, to: NCUTLO 107 S. West Street, # 110, Alexandria, VA 22314;
800/807-5290; 540/465-5383 (fax); ncutloceo@rica.net
(email)
These recommendations will be presented to the
membership of NCUTLO for their consideration at its 2000 Annual Meeting, scheduled for
January 6, 2001.
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