Bicycle laws
A summary of laws for Cambridge and Massachusetts
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All bicyclists must obey all traffic laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including red lights, stop signs, and riding with traffic.
All bicyclists should stay to the right of the roadway, except for left hand turns, or where bike lanes direct otherwise and must ride single file.
Cambridge discourages the riding of bicycles on sidewalks throughout the city and has provided bicycle lanes on certain streets.
Bicycles may not be ridden on a sidewalk in the Harvard Sq. and Central Sq. business districts, as well as some newly created banned areas:
- Inman Sq.
- Huron Village
- Mass. Ave., from Wendell St. and Shepard St. to Russell St. and Cogswel
- Somerville Ave (entirely)
- Walk his/her bicycle;
- Ride on the street; or
- Take an alternate route.
A bicyclist shall give an audible warning before passing a pedestrian far enough in advance to allow the pedestrian time to react.
A bicyclist, while operating on a sidewalk, must operate in a manner that does not endanger property or any person.
Pedestrians have the right of way on all sidewalks, and a bicyclist must yield to pedestrians in all traffic situations.
When involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or property damage in excess of $100 dollars, a bicyclist must notify the police in writing on a Cambridge Police Bicycle accident report .
In the event of a collision between a bicyclist and a pedestrian or with another bicyclist, both parties shall stop and exchange information required to complete a Cambridge Police Bicycle accident report.
A bicyclist shall not pass to the right of a bus or a minibus stopped at a bus stop.
A bicyclist shall not be drawn or towed by another vehicle such as a car or any other moving vehicle.
Always use hand signals when turning or stopping.
Between dusk and dawn a bicycle is required to have a red light or reflector on the rear and a white headlight on the front, as well as side reflectors.
A bicyclist shall park his/her bike upon a way or sidewalk so as to not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic. There are bike racks throughout the City.
Everyone 16 years old and younger is required by law to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bicycle on a public way. It is also a good idea for everyone to wear a helmet at all times while bicycling.
A bicyclist shall not carry another passenger on his/her bicycle except on a tandem bike; or a child between one and four on a child safety seat attached to the bike, equipped with a harness and protection from the feet hitting the spokes of the wheel of the bicycle. A bicyclist shall not transport any person under the age of one year on a bicycle.
All violations of these laws are punishable by a fine of $20. A person who refuses to state his true name and address when stopped by a police officer for violating these laws is subject to arrest and a fine of $50.
Parents of children under the age of 16 years of age shall be held liable and fined according to MGL 85s11B for all violations of these laws.
SOURCE: City of Cambridge Police Department website.
