HLS 12RS-2566 ENGROSSED
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 1193 (Substitute for House Bill No. 1009 by Representative Ortego)
BY REPRESENTATIVES ORTEGO AND PATRICK WILLIAMS
TRAFFIC: Provides relative to bicycles
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 32:1(4) and 219 and to enact R.S. 32:197.1, relative to vehicles;2
to provide relative to the use of bicycles and vehicles on highways and sidewalks;3
and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 32:1(4) and 219 are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.6
32:197.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:7
§1. Definitions8
When used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases have the9
meanings ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context clearly indicates a10
different meaning:11
* * *12
(4) "Bicycle" means every device vehicle upon which any person may ride,13
propelled exclusively by human power, and having one or more wheels each more14
than fourteen inches in diameter.15
* * *16
§197.1. Bicycle riding on sidewalks17
A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-18
way to any pedestrian and shall exercise due care and give an audible signal when19
passing a bicycle or a pedestrian.20 HLS 12RS-2566 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1193
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
B. No person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall:1
(1) Suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of2
a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.3
(2) Operate in a careless manner that endangers or would be likely to4
endanger any person or property.5
(3) Operate at a speed greater than an ordinary walk when approaching or6
entering a crosswalk, approaching or crossing a driveway, or crossing a curb cut or7
pedestrian ramp and a vehicle is approaching the crosswalk, driveway, curb cut, or8
pedestrian ramp.9
C. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, a person operating a10
bicycle on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian11
on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk.12
D. Groups of four or more persons riding bicycles shall not operate on13
sidewalks.14
E. This Section shall not apply to motorized bicycles.15
F. Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to prohibit parish or16
municipal governments from regulating or prohibiting the operation of bicycles on17
sidewalks.18
* * *19
§219. Pedestrians right-of-way on sidewalks20
The driver of a motor vehicle emerging from or entering an alley, private21
road or driveway, or building shall stop and yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian22
approaching on any sidewalk extending across such alley, road or driveway, or23
building entrance.24 HLS 12RS-2566 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1193
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Ortego HB No. 1193
Abstract: Provides relative to the use of bicycles and vehicles on highways, interstates, and
sidewalks.
Present law defines "bicycle" as every device upon which any person may ride, propelled
exclusively by human power, and having one or more wheels.
Proposed law defines "bicycle" as every vehicle upon which any person may ride, propelled
by human power, each having one or more wheels each more than 14 inches in diameter.
Present law provides that the driver of a motor vehicle emerging from or entering an alley,
private road or driveway, or building shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian
approaching on any sidewalk extending across such alley, road or driveway, or building
entrance.
Proposed law removes the word "motor" from present law.
Proposed law provides for the operation of a non-motorized bicycle on a sidewalk.
(Amends R.S. 32:1(4) and 219; Adds R.S. 32:197.1)