(a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person may not ride a bicycle or a motor scooter:
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, on any roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is more than 50 miles per hour; or
(ii) On any expressway, except on an adjacent bicycle path or way approved by the State Highway Administration, or on any other controlled access highway signed in accordance with § 21-313 of this title.
(2) If a person is lawfully operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a shoulder adjacent to a roadway for which the posted maximum speed limit is more than 50 miles per hour, the person may enter the roadway only if:
(i) Making or attempting to make a left turn;
(ii) Crossing through an intersection; or
(iii) The shoulder is overlaid with a right turn lane, a merge lane, a bypass lane, or any other marking that breaks the continuity of the shoulder.
Use of bike lane or shoulder paved to smooth surface required
(b)(1) Where there is not a bike lane paved to a smooth surface, a person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter may use the roadway or the shoulder.
(2) Where there is a bike lane paved to a smooth surface, a person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter shall use the bike lane and may not ride on the roadway, except in the following situations:
(i) When overtaking and passing another bicycle, motor scooter, pedestrian, or other vehicle within the bike lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the bike lane;
(ii) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway;
(iii) When reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane to avoid debris or other hazardous condition; or
(iv) When reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane because the bike lane is overlaid with a right turn lane, merge lane, or other marking that breaks the continuity of the bike lane.
(3) A person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter may not leave a bike lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal.
(4) The Department shall adopt regulations pertaining to this subsection, including a definition of “smooth surface”.
Maximum speed for motor scooter
(c) A motor scooter may not be operated at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour.
Roadways with adjacent sidewalks
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person may not operate an EPAMD on any roadway where there are sidewalks adjacent to the roadway or the posted maximum speed limit is more than 30 miles per hour.
Maximum speed for EPAMD
(e) An EPAMD may not be operated at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.
Applicability to personal delivery device
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a personal delivery device, as defined in § 21-104.5 of this title, may not travel on any roadway where there are sidewalks or a shoulder adjacent to the roadway or the posted maximum speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour.
Credits
Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1977, c. 543, § 2; Acts 1983, c. 108, § 2; 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. 518, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, c. 514, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2019, c. 8, § 1, eff. March 27, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 351, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.
Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 11-1205.1.
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-1205.1, MD TRANS § 21-1205.1
Current through legislation effective through April 25, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
