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§ 21-1209. Actions prohibited relating to bicyclists

West's Annotated Code of MarylandTransportationEffective: October 1, 2010

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Transportation
Title 21. Vehicle Laws--Rules of the Road (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 12. Operation of Bicycles and Play Vehicles (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2010
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-1209
§ 21-1209. Actions prohibited relating to bicyclists
Drivers to exercise due care
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the driver of a vehicle shall:
(1) Exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter being ridden by a person; and
(2) When overtaking a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter, pass safely at a distance of not less than 3 feet, unless, at the time:
(i) The bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter rider fails to operate the vehicle in conformance with § 21-1205(a) of this subtitle (“Riding to right side of roadway”) or § 21-1205.1(b) of this subtitle (“Roadway with bike lane or shoulder paved to smooth surface”);
(ii) A passing clearance of less than 3 feet is caused solely by the bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter rider failing to maintain a steady course; or
(iii) The highway on which the vehicle is being driven is not wide enough to lawfully pass the bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter at a distance of at least 3 feet.
Throwing objects at or in direction of person riding bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter
(b) A person may not throw any object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter.
Opening door with intent to strike or injure person riding bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter
(c) A person may not open the door of any motor vehicle with intent to strike, injure, or interfere with any person riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter.
Driver of vehicle to yield right of way
(d) Unless otherwise specified in this title, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a person who is lawfully riding a bicycle, an EPAMD, or a motor scooter in a designated bike lane or shoulder if the driver of the vehicle is about to enter or cross the designated bike lane or shoulder.

Credits

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1986, c. 472, § 1; Acts 1995, c. 495, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, c. 557, § 1, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2002, c. 546, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002; Acts 2010, c. 517, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010.
Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 11-1206.1.
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-1209, MD TRANS § 21-1209
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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