HB 356-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2023 SESSION

23-0249

02/10

 

HOUSE BILL 356-FN

 

AN ACT relative to the application of motor vehicle laws to bicycles.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Avellani, Carr. 4

 

COMMITTEE: Transportation

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill would require bicycles to have 4" diameter mirrors on each side of the handlebars while operating on public ways with other motor vehicles.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

23-0249

02/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

 

AN ACT relative to the application of motor vehicle laws to bicycles.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Application of Motor Vehicle Laws to Bicycles.  Amend RSA 265:143, I to read as follows:

I.  Every person propelling a vehicle by human power, [or] riding a bicycle, or riding an electric bicycle shall have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the rules of the road, except as provided in paragraph II and as to special regulations in this subdivision and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.  This includes the use of a 4” diameter mirror on each handle bar of any bicycle  or electric bicycle operating on public ways with other motor vehicles.  This does not apply to bicycle paths or trails where any other type of motor vehicle is prohibited.  Bicycles or electric bicycles ridden on marked bicycle lanes along public ways shall not be exempt from this requirement.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBA

23-0249

12/28/22

 

HB 356-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to the application of motor vehicle laws to bicycles.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2023

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Indeterminable

Funding Source:

  [ X ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [    ] Other

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill establishes a violation level offense relative certain required equipment on bicycles and electric bicycles operating on public ways. There is no method to determine how many charges, if any, would be brought as a result of this bill to determine the fiscal impact on expenditures. The Judicial Branch has indicated the potential cost per case for violation/misdemeanor level offenses would be $122 in FY 2024 (not including appeals).

 

It is assumed any fiscal impact incurred would not be until FY 2024

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Judicial Branch