Since how many years can I ride a bike on the road and what rules do you need to follow?

Eco-friendly two-wheeled transport is increasingly chosen by residents of cities as an alternative to cars, motorcycles and scooters. But few people know how many years you can ride a bike on the road. Meanwhile, every day, thousands of people go on the highway, without even studying the requirements of traffic rules. Can a child at the age of 7 or 14 move along the roads on a par with adults? Up to what age is it forbidden to ride on the carriageway? Where can I ride a bicycle with two or three wheels, with a trailer or an electric motor?

It is difficult to act in the legal field on the road without studying such information. In addition, in the event of a dangerous or emergency situation in a dispute with representatives of the traffic police, it is important to know whether the rules have been violated. Understanding how to act will help study the requirements of traffic rules for cyclists.

In order to comply with the rules, you must first deal with the definitions. SDA will give an exhaustive answer to the question of who is considered a cyclist, who can drive two-wheeled vehicles when leaving the highway.

In this case, the bike moves due to muscular strength using pedals. Bicycles include models equipped with electric motors up to 250 W, with a speed limit of 25 km / h. In fact, this means that for those who travel on these modes of transport, all the rules relevant to other drivers apply.

If a person is not in the saddle of the vehicle, but dismounted, he is not equated with the persons managing it. This pedestrian is different from a cyclist, and he can be both on the sidewalk, and on a special bike path. Outside the saddle, a person is not considered a cyclist. This is convenient when it comes to a quick change in status, for example, when crossing the roadway in the presence of a pedestrian crossing.

The requirements of traffic rules are very specific and understandable in terms of the question of how old people are allowed to ride a bicycle on the territory of the carriageway.

For the youngest cyclists, the current rules exclude access to any roads outside the areas intended for pedestrians. In this case, it is necessary to provide parental control over their movement. Preschoolers can’t even ride on the sidewalks on their own.

School children travel exclusively outside the curbs, lanes, you cannot cross the borders of the roadway. Persons over 7 years of age can independently move along paths for pedestrians, cycle pedestrians, cycle paths and sidewalks, provided that safety is provided for those who are next to them. Accompanying persons may travel in the same place as their wards.

Adolescents over 14 years of age and adult cyclists can only move around pedestrian areas and sidewalks if there are no other options for detours. You can drive along roadsides if the right lane on the carriageway is occupied. It is strictly forbidden to change lanes.

If there is a dedicated bicycle or bicycle pedestrian marking on the road, you must move within it. It is also allowed to occupy the lane allocated specifically for bicycle drivers.

The following situations are exceptions to the rules:

• transportation of cargo with dimensions exceeding 1 m (exit on the carriageway is allowed);
• movement of the convoy (you can go on all types of roads);
• riding children under 14 years old with accompanying persons or transporting a child under 7 years old (can be carried out along the sidewalk).

Riding a bike is not possible on all roads. You can read about whether it is allowed to travel on 2-wheeled vehicles on highways and public roads. in the SDA number 24. In particular, it is indicated here that, according to the age category of the cyclist, he can move along sidewalks, curbs, roadways, pedestrian zones, designated bicycle paths.

If the movement of the cyclist creates difficulties for other participants in the movement on the sidewalk, pedestrian zone or track, roadside, he is obliged to dismount and drive the vehicle no longer as a driver.

On some roads in Russia today there are dedicated lanes designed for the movement of cyclists and moped riders. They should not drive other vehicles. If there is a lane designated and equipped with appropriate signs for public transport on the right, cyclists also have the right to move within it, without interfering with fixed-route taxis, buses and trolleybuses. This requirement must be strictly observed. Within special bicycle zones equipped with appropriate signs, drivers of two-wheeled vehicles have the right of priority.

Pedestrians in such areas do not have a priority right, but can make a road crossing, outside specially designated places. It is forbidden to travel on bicycle zones at a speed exceeding 20 km / h.

The main guide for cyclists is Section 24 of the SDA. However, it is a mistake to believe that they are not subject to requirements regarding drivers and vehicles. Redundant in the case of a cyclist will be only the rules for pedestrians who are not going to go anywhere. Among the mandatory requirements that must be observed, there are several points.

A bicycle is equivalent to other vehicles, therefore according to clause 2.3 of the SDA, before leaving, its driver (cyclist) is obliged to check the serviceability of the hitch in the presence of a trailer, steering column, brake system, headlights and marker lights on electric vehicles.

The cyclist gives them gestures. When maneuvering, it is important to make sure that there is no interference with other participants in the movement. There are several applicable signals.

1. Designation of braking. Left or right hand rises and stretches up.
2. U-turn or left. To it corresponds the left hand laid aside. Such a gesture is used most often. And also let’s say a gesture in which the right hand extends sideways at shoulder level, bends at the elbow.
3. Right turn. He corresponds to a gesture with his right arm extended to the side. This is an easy option. It can also be used to indicate a maneuver bent at the elbow and raised up the left hand.

It is worth considering that It is recommended to demonstrate your intentions for maneuvering or braking in advance before actions are taken. Experienced cyclists recommend avoiding sudden braking and loss of control over the road at this point.

The bike driver must stop in front of a pedestrian crossing at a regulated or unregulated intersection. In this case, participants in the movement on foot have the right of priority. If a cyclist dismounts, the same rules apply to him as for other pedestrians.

There are a number of requirements that are recommended. Let’s figure out what cyclists shouldn’t do.

• Drive a vehicle while intoxicated or after taking drugs, affecting the responsiveness of the driver. You cannot drive yourself, transfer the control right to another person who drank alcohol.
• Move around without lights. For cyclists, the use of dipped beam or daytime running lights during the day and headlights at night is mandatory. In fact, 90% of two-wheeled vehicles without a motor are not equipped with a set of lighting equipment. Its absence may cause interest on the part of the traffic police and a reason for imposing a fine.
• Ride without holding the steering wheel with 1 or 2 hands.
• To transport bulky goods protruding from each side by more than 0.5 m. Also, you can not transport objects that interfere with the management of the bike.
• Carry passengers outside their regular seats for boarding, as well as in the absence of child seats with safety belts.
• Cross pedestrian crossings as a driver along with a stream of people.
• Make a U-turn, turn left (except for single-lane roads and bicycle areas).
• Tow trailers the design of which is not provided initially in the standard equipment of the vehicle.

Riding a bike in violation of the rules may result in punishment. It is worth considering that the 12th chapter Administrative Code excludes two-wheeled non-motorized types of equipment from the category of vehicles. But cyclists are covered by article 12.29, which applies to pedestrians and other road users.

If due to the cyclist there are obstacles in the movement of other vehicles, according to Article 12.30, such actions are punishable by a fine of 1000 rubles. Mild or moderate harm to human health also requires a proportionate punishment. In this case, the amount of the fine will be from 1000 to 1500 rubles. For minor violations, traffic police inspectors rarely find fault with bicycle drivers, but this does not mean that you can follow the requirements of the rules, treating them at your discretion.

The following video tells about the latest changes in traffic rules for cyclists.