Jonesboro Bicycle Accident Lawyers

By law, in the State of Georgia, bicycles are considered “vehicles” and must follow the rules of the road. This means obeying traffic lights and signs, riding in the same direction as traffic, and using arm-turn signals. 

We have also have provided, below, a summary of some of the laws that help define the rules of the road for both drivers and bicycle riders. 

City Bike Helmet Law. Jonesboro requires all children and child passengers on bikes under the age of 12 to wear a certified bicycle helmet. Jonesboro City Code, Sec. 74-177. 

Riding bicycle on sidewalks on Main Street. Did you know that in the City of Jonesboro, Georgia it is unlawful to ride a bike on the sidewalk between the Methodist Church and Smith Street? Jonesboro City Code, Sec. 74-5. 

City Bike Helmet Law. Jonesboro requires all children and child passengers on bikes under the age of 12 to wear a certified bicycle helmet. Jonesboro City Code, Sec. 74-177. 

Riding bicycle on sidewalks on Main Street. Did you know that in the City of Jonesboro, Georgia it is unlawful to ride a bike on the sidewalk between the Methodist Church and Smith Street? Jonesboro City Code, Sec. 74-5. 

Clayton County Bicycle Laws and Legal Definitions. 

Use of Recreational Paths. Clayton County authorizes people to ride bicycles on paved recreation paths and sidewalks. Sec. 94-156. Use of motorized street and trail bikes is not allowed on recreation paths. Sec. 94-157(a)(1). 

Use of Helmets on Bicycle Paths. County Ordinance Sec. 94-158(a) requires all users of electric bikes to wear properly fitting and fastened helmets on recreational paths. 

Bicycle. Clayton County local ordinances define “bicycle” as any device a person may ride powered by a human, having two tandem wheels when either wheel is more than 13 inches in diameter. Sec. 94-152. 

Electric Bicycle. The County defines an “electric bicycle” (bike) as a device with either two or three wheels that has a saddle and pedals, but also has an electric motor. Sec. 94-152(a). 

Moped. A Moped is defined in Clayton County as a motorized cycle with either two or three wheels (with or without pedals) and a motor with a maximum of two horsepower. Sec. 94-152(a). 

Holding onto motor vehicles. Sec. 94-33 of the Clayton County ordinances prohibit any person from holding onto or catching a moving car or truck while riding inside of the County. 

Helmet Law. The State of Georgia requires all persons under the age of 16 to wear a helmet when riding a bike on a road, bike path, bike lane or sidewalk. O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(d)(2). This means that any person under 16 riding a bicycle on a road or bike lane of the City of Jonesboro, Georgia must wear a helmet. 

Notably, the City of Jonesboro, Clayton County, and the State of Georgia, each, do not require persons over the age of 16 to wear a bicycle helmet. 

Bike Paths – Drivers must yield. By law, drivers of cars and trucks are to yield the right of way to bicycle riders when the bike rider is in a bicycle lane. O.C.G.A. 40-6-55. 

“Vehicle.” The State of Georgia considers a bicycle to be a legal vehicle. O.C.G.A. 40-1-1(6). 

Bike Lane and Bike Path. A bike lane is defined as an area of a road that has been marked by stripes, pavement marking or signs for the use of bicycles. A bike path means a right of way set aside for the use of bicycles by the state or a local city or county. O.C.G.A. 40-1-1(6.2). 

Safe Distance from Bicycles. The legal term “safe distance” means that when passing a bicycle rider going in the same direction on a road, a driver must leave at least three feet of distance to the bike and rider. O.C.G.A. 40-6-56(a) and (b).