Revision: Nov. 17, 2017, 9:05 a.m.
HB 1731-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2267
03/05
HOUSE BILL 1731-FN
AN ACT relative to regulating bicycles and requiring that driver's license applicants be informed of and examined on laws relating to bicyclists rights and safety.
SPONSORS: Rep. MacKenzie, Hills. 17; Rep. Higgins, Graf. 12; Rep. Woolpert, Merr. 6; Rep. Luneau, Merr. 10; Rep. Rimol, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Establishes requirements for crossing double yellow lines on a highway.
II. Establishes hand signal requirements for bicyclists.
III. Modifies headlamp requirements for bicycles.
IV. Requires the department of safety to inform licensees of laws relating to bicyclists rights and safety and to examine first-time driver's license applicants on such laws.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2267
03/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Bicyclists Rights and Safety Information and Examination. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 6-d the following new section:
263:6-e Bicyclists Rights and Safety Information and Examination.
I. Before issuing or renewing a driver's license, the department shall inform the applicant of the provisions of RSA 265:143 and RSA 265:143-a and other safety issues bicyclists.
II. The examination required by RSA 263:6 shall include testing of the applicant's knowledge of motor vehicle safety respecting bicyclists.
2 New Paragraph; Highway Markings. Amend RSA 265:22 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. Wherever a highway is marked with double traffic lines consisting of 2 immediately adjacent solid yellow lines, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of such lines, except:
(a) When turning left; or
(b) In order to pass a pedestrian or a device moved by human power, including a bicycle, skateboard, or foot-scooter, provided such movement can be made safely.
3 Riding on Bicycles; Hand Signals. Amend RSA 265:144, VI to read as follows:
VI.(a) A person operating a bicycle shall give signals in the following manner:
(1) Left turn: left hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of bicycle.
(2) Right turn: right hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of bicycle.
(3) Stop or decrease speed: left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of bicycle.
(b) Bicyclists intending to turn right or left shall not be required to give a continuous hand or arm signal if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.
4 Flashing Lights. Amend RSA 266:78-e to read as follows:
266:78-e Other Flashing Lamps Prohibited. Only authorized emergency vehicles, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services vehicles, [and] state department of transportation vehicles engaged in construction or maintenance activities, and bicycles may be equipped with a device that provides for alternate flashing of headlamps.
5 Bicycles and Mopeds; Headlamps. Amend RSA 266:86 to read as follows:
266:86 Headlamp Required at Night. Every bicycle operated upon any way [during darkness] between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp emitting a white light visible in clear weather from a distance of [300] 500 feet in front of the bicycle and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the director, which shall be visible from a distance of [300] 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of the lawful [upper] lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from 300 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. Every moped driven upon any way during darkness shall be equipped with one headlamp which meets the specifications for headlamps established in RSA 266:31. Taillamps and stop lamps are required on mopeds.
I. Section 2-5 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
18-2267
11/16/17
HB 1731-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
Funding Source: | [ ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Restricted Cost of Collections* | |||
*Pursuant to Part II, article 6-a of the New Hampshire constitution, any costs associated with the collection and administration of Highway Funds by the Department of Safety shall be deducted by the Department before such funds are credited to the Highway Fund as unrestricted revenue. | ||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill includes operating requirements for bicycles, including hand signals and headlamp use, as well as requires the Department of Safety to inform and include bicycle safety in driver license examinations.
Currently, bicycle safety laws and rules are included in the driver’s license manual, as well as the curriculum for driver education classes and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) examines all new licensees and the current knowledge testing system includes test questions related to bicyclist safety. If those questions are deemed insufficient, DMV would be required to obtain additional questions to add to the question bank of the current testing system. The cost related to this change would depend on the number of questions required to be added and cannot be determined at this time. For licensees who renew, transfer a license, or upgrade their current license, DMV will need to inform these customers of the laws relating to bicyclists’ rights and safety before issuing or renewing a driver’s license. The cost associated with informing existing licensees about bicyclists’ safety is dependent upon the type and frequency of communication required, for which the Department is unclear of at this time. DMV currently publishes a driver manual available to the public. In addition, all motor vehicle laws and rules are published on the division’s website. On average, the division of motor vehicles produces 360,000 driver licenses annually.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety