New Hampshire Revised Statutes

Title 21. Motor Vehicles

Chapter 265. Rules Of The Road

Special Rules for Bicycles and Mopeds

Section 265:143. 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 under 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.

Source. 1939, 164:1. RL 106:17. 1945, 188:1, part 20:17. RSA 250:17. 1973, 440:1. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982; 422:9, eff. Jan. 1, 1982, at 12:01 a.m.

Section 265:144. Riding on Bicycles

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

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

III. No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, skateboard, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

IV. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

V. Persons riding bicycles 2 or more abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

VI. 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.

VII. A person propelling a bicycle may pass a slower-moving vehicle in the same lane provided such movement can be made with reasonable safety.

VIII. Any bicyclist shall stop upon demand of a peace officer and permit his bicycle to be inspected.

IX. No bicycle shall be operated unless the steering, brakes, >ires and other required equipment are in safe condition.

Source. RSA 250:17-a. 1973, 440:2. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982; 422:10, eff. Jan. 1, 1982, at 12:01 a.m.

Section 265:145. Clinging to Vehicles Prohibited

No person riding a motorcycle, bicycle, moped, coaster, sled, skateboard, or toy vehicle, or wearing roller skates, shall hold fast to or hitch onto any streetcar, or any other vehicle moving upon a way.

Source. 1939, 164:1. RL 106:18. 1945, 188:1, part 20:18. RSA 250:18. 1981, 146:1. 1983, 431:12, eff. Aug. 23, 1983.

Section 265:146. Permits

The mayor of a city, or selectmen of a town, may, in their discretion, upon any special occasion, grant permits to any persons to ride bicycles or mopeds, at any rate of speed, for a time not exceeding one day upon specified portions of the public ways of such city or town, and may annex such other reasonable conditions to such permits as they may deem proper.

Source. 1897, 93:3. PL 90:16. RL 106:16. 1945, 188:1, part 20:16. RSA 250:16. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.

Section 265:148. Sidewalks Outside Compact Area

Upon petition of 5 or more legal voters, the selectmen of a town or the mayor of a city, upon notice and hearing, shall have the power to include within the foregoing provisions, sidewalks outside the compact part of the town or city that are built or improved by said town or city or by the abutters; but in such case, notices to that effect shall be posted near said walks at least one week before they shall be so included.

Source. 1897, 93:2. PL 90:14. RL 106:14. 1945, 188:1, part 20:14. RSA 250:14. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982; 422:12, eff. Jan. 1, 1982, at 12:01 a.m.

Section 265:149. Ordinances and Bylaws

Any city or town shall have the power to make ordinances, bylaws or regulations respecting the use and equipment of bicycles, except mopeds as defined in RSA 259:57, on its ways, provided that any such ordinances, bylaws or regulations enacted with respect to such equipment shall be at least as stringent as the requirements of RSA 266:85-89. Any city or town may require that bicycles, except mopeds as defined in RSA 259:57, be licensed and may charge reasonable fees for such licensing.

Source. 1939, 164:2. RL 106:19. 1945, 188:1, part 20:19. 1953, 154:1. RSA 250:19. 1971, 319:2. 1976, 4:3. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982; 422:13, eff. Jan. 1, 1982, at 12:01 a.m.

Section 265:150. Penalty

Any person violating the provisions of RSA 265:145 or any ordinance, bylaw, or rule made under the provisions of RSA 265:149, shall be deprived of his bicycle or moped by the law enforcement agents until such provisions and requirements have been complied with.

Source. 1939, 164:3. RL 106:20. 1945, 188:1, part 20:20. 1953, 154:2. RSA 250:20. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.

Section 265:151. Limitation of Prosecution

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

Source. 1897, 93:4. PL 90:17. RL 106:21. 1945, 188:1, part 20:21. RSA 250:21. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.

Section 265:152. Bicycle Parking

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

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

III. 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.

IV. In all other respects, bicycles parked on a way shall conform with provisions of law regulating the parking of vehicles.

Source. 1981, 422:14, eff. Jan. 1, 1982, at 12:01 a.m.

Section 265:153. Penalty

Any person violating the provisions of this subdivision or of any ordinance, bylaw or rule made under the provisions of this subdivision shall be guilty of a violation.

Section 265:78. Competitive Bicycle or Moped Races

No person shall conduct or participate in any competitive bicycle or moped race on any class I, class III, or class III-a highway or on the state-maintained part of any class II highway, unless such race is sponsored by a recognized bicycle or moped organization and the sponsor of such race has obtained, prior to such race, the written approval of the commissioner and of the police department of each city, town or place in which such race is to be held. In the case of a competitive bicycle or moped race on a class III-a highway, the sponsor of the race shall also obtain the approval of the executive director of the fish and game department. The commissioner and the executive director of the fish and game department may require insurance, police coverage or other regulations to insure the safety and protection of the public, and the permit may exempt competitors from such requirements of this chapter relative to rules of the road as are not inconsistent with public safety.

Source. RSA 250:17-b. 1975, 117:1. 1981, 146:1. 1982, 12:3. 1992, 265:19, eff. July 1, 1992.

Special Rules

Section 265:96. Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors

No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Source. RSA 262-A:77. 1963, 330:1. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.

Chapter 259. Words And Phrases Defined

Section 259:6. Bicycle

"Bicycle" shall mean every pedalled vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, except child's tricycles and similar devices.

Source. 1897, 93:2. PL 90:15. RL 106:15. 1945, 188:1, part 20:15. RSA 250:15. 1976, 4:2. 1979, 486:3. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.

Section 259:122. Vehicle

"Vehicle" shall mean:

I. Except as provided in paragraphs II and III, every mechanical device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a way, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks;

II. [Repealed.]

III. When used in the provisions of RSA 264, the same as paragraph I of this section, but not including bicycles and mopeds.

Source. 1905, 86:1. 1911, 133:1. 1913, 81:1. 1915, 129:1. 1917, 229:1. 1919, 161:1. 1921, 119:1. 1923, 75:1. 1925, 25:1; 68:1. PL 99:1. 1927, 52:1. 1929, 43:1. 1935, 73:2, 3. 1939, 47:1; 130:1; 189:1, 2, 3, 5; 190:1. 1941, 98:1; 111:1; 142:2. RL 115:1. 1943, 189:1. 1947, 177:1. 1949, 189:1, 2; 197:1; 212:2; 233:1; 286:4. 1953, 252:3. RSA 259:1, XXXIV; 263-B:2(a); 269-A:1, XI. 1963, 252:1. 1967, 357:1. 1975, 324:1. 1979, 404:1. 1981, 146:1; 422:8. 1983, 230:19, II, eff. Aug. 17, 1983; 431:4, eff. Aug. 23, 1983.

Thanks to Brian Nystrom for finding these laws online.