2013 Maryland Code
TRANSPORTATION
§ 21-1207 - Lamps and other equipment on bicycles and motor scooters

§21-1207.

(a) (1) If a bicycle or a motor scooter is used on a highway at any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet, the bicycle or motor scooter shall be equipped:

(i) On the front, with a lamp that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and

(ii) On the rear, with a red reflector of a type approved by the Administration and visible from all distances from 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.

(2) A bicycle or bicyclist may be equipped with a functioning lamp that acts as a reflector and emits a red light or a flashing amber light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear instead of or in addition to the red reflector required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a person may operate a bicycle or a motor scooter that is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet.

(c) A bicycle or motor scooter may not be equipped with nor may any person use on a bicycle any siren or whistle.

(d) Every bicycle and motor scooter shall be equipped with a braking system capable of stopping from a speed of 10 miles per hour within 15 feet on dry, level, clean pavement.

§ 21-1207 - 1. Helmets required

(a) In general. --

(1) The provisions of this section apply:

(i) At all times while a bicycle is being operated on any highway, bicycle way, or other property open to the public or used by the public for pedestrian or vehicular traffic; and

(ii) To a person under the age of 16 who is riding on a bicycle, including a person under the age of 16 who is a passenger on a bicycle:

1. In a restraining seat attached to the bicycle; or

2. In a trailer being towed by the bicycle.

(2) The provisions of this section do not apply to passengers in commercial bicycle rickshaws.

(b) Inapplicable on Ocean City boardwalk. -- This section does not apply in the town of Ocean City, Maryland, on the boardwalk between the Ocean City inlet and 27th Street, during the hours in which bicycles are permitted by local ordinance to be operated on the boardwalk.

(c) Helmets. -- A person to whom this section applies may not operate or ride as a passenger on a bicycle unless the person is wearing a helmet that meets or exceeds the standards of the American National Standards Institute, the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials for protective headgear for use in bicycling.

(d) Enforcement. -- This section shall be enforced by the issuance of a warning that informs the offender of the requirements of this section and provides educational materials about bicycle helmet use.

§ 21-1207 - 2. Protective helmets

(a) Required; standards. -- An individual under the age of 16 years may not ride on a scooter or on in-line skates on any highway, bicycle way, sidewalk, or other property open to the public or used by the public for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, unless the individual is wearing a helmet that meets or exceeds the standards of the American National Standards Institute, the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials for protective headgear for use in bicycling or in-line skating.

(b) Enforcement. -- This section shall be enforced by the issuance of a warning that informs the offender of the requirements of this section and provides educational materials about helmet use.