Puerto Rico Law 22 and Bill of Rights
Use of bicycles on the public highway.

The following acts shall be illegal with regard to the use and handling of bicycles on public highways:

(a) Carry on a bicycle more passengers than it can seat.

(b) Carry packages or objects that project beyond the ends of the handlebars on the front or back ends thereof, that prevent the rider from keeping at least one hand on the handlebar of the bicycle.

(c) Ride away from the edge of the pavement, or the right side of the public highway, it being the duty of any person who rides a bicycle on the roadway to remain as close to the right-hand edge of the public highway as possible, and exercise due caution when passing a vehicle that is stopped, or one that is traveling in the same direction, except on roads or sectors of the highway that have been reserved for the exclusive use of bicycles.

(d) Allow a person riding a bicycle to or a similar vehicle or a toy vehicle to hang on to or attach itself to another on the public highway.

(e) Ride a bicycle that is not provided with a bell, or other device that is capable of emitting a signal that is audible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet on a public highway, except that no bicycle shall be equipped with a siren, nor shall any person use a bicycle that has been equipped with such type of device.

(f) Needlessly use the bell or other device required by subsection (e) of this section in the urban zone.

(g) Ride on the sidewalks or elevated structures designated for the exclusive use of pedestrians.

(h) Failing to be equipped during nighttime with a white headlight capable of emitting a white light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet on the front, and a red light or reflector on the back, which must be visible from any point within one hundred (100) to six hundred (600) feet from the rear of the bicycle when it is directly lighted by the low lights of the headlights of a motor vehicle. In addition to the red reflector, a light that emits a red light that is visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet from the rear of the bicycle may also be used.

(i) Ride a bicycle with defective brakes that are unable to stop the sprocket wheel on a dry, flat and clean pavement.

(j) Ride a bicycle if not seated on the permanent and regular seat affixed thereto.

(k) To ride a bicycle along the public thoroughfares or recreational centers without wearing a protective helmet that meets the requirements established by the Secretary through regulations, in accordance with the standards set by the American Standards Association for protective helmets, published Aug. 1, 1966, as these have been updated, amended or substituted.

(l) It is furthermore provided that:

(1) Any cyclist carrying as passenger a child of under four (4) years of age or weighing less than forty (40) pounds, must carry said child in a especially designed seat that protects the child from the moving parts of the bicycle.

(2) No child must be left alone in the special seat of the bicycle unless the cyclist is in immediate control of said bicycle.

(3) The owner of a business engaged in the sale of bicycles may not sell any bicycle which lacks an identification number permanently attached to or engraved on its frame, nor may said owner lease a bicycle to a minor of under sixteen (16) years of age if the latter does not have a protective helmet or if said owner fails to provide the minor with such a helmet when leasing the bicycle. Furthermore, said owner shall provide written information as to the standards regulating the use of bicycles established in this chapter and shall maintain a register indicating that said information has been received. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of an administrative fault and sanctioned with a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

Every person who violates the provisions of this section shall incur an administrative fault and shall be punished with a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50). In the event that as a result of the violation of any of the provisions established herein a traffic accident or any accident is caused in which a pedestrian is involved, the administrative fine shall be of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22,  11.02; Aug. 31, 2000, No. 250,  1; renumbered as 11.03 and amended on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.)

Bill of rights of the cyclist and obligations of the driver.

Those persons who practice the cycling sport have the following rights and obligations. Drivers, on their part, must comply with the obligations listed in this section. This part shall be known as the Bill of Rights of the Cyclist and obligations of the Driver.

(a) Rights of the cyclist

(1) Every cyclist has the right to ride a bicycle on any public highway, whether it is a street, a road or a state or municipal highway, except that bicycles shall not be ridden on a highway with controlled access.

(2) A cyclist has the right to use the right edge of the roadway of public highways and it shall be the obligation of every driver of a vehicle or motor vehicle to exercise proper caution when passing a cyclist. Nevertheless, every cyclist shall have the choice to use the right shoulder of the road on those public highways in which it is in good condition.

(3) Every cyclist has the right to use the width of the lane, provided he/she is traveling on a public highway in the urban zone at the same speed as a motor vehicle.

(4) Every cyclist shall has the right to make any type of turn or change of direction on a public highway, provided the appropriate hand signals are made.

(5) Any group of two (2) or more cyclists has the right to use the lane designated for slow vehicles riding in pairs of two (2) side by side. However, said group of cyclists must ride at least at the minimum speed allowed for motor vehicles that travel on that same public highway, so that the free flow of traffic is not blocked. Every motor vehicle driver shall be bound to exercise due caution when passing a cyclist.

(6) Every cyclist shall have the right to ride his/her bicycle on the right sidewalk or on the portion of the public highway designated for pedestrians, under any of the following circumstances:

(A) To slow down, stop or park.
(B) To accelerate before entering a busy public highway.
(C) To avoid a motor vehicle which is stopped on the right side or is going to make a right turn.
(D) To allow another faster vehicle to pass.
(E) When allowed to do so by a law enforcement officer.
(F) To avoid an accident.

(7) Every cyclist shall have the right to ride the bicycle on the left sidewalk or the portion of the public highway designated for pedestrians, under any of the following circumstances:

(A) To slow down or stop if the vehicles have stopped and the traffic flow, or any other circumstance, prohibits or does not allow safe traffic on the right side of the roadway.
(B) When it is authorized by a law enforcement officer.
(C) To avoid an accident.

(b) Obligations of the cyclist

(1) Every cyclist shall comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter.
(2) Every cyclist shall use the exclusive bicycle lane, provided one is available and is in good traveling condition.
(3) Every cyclist shall pedal the bicycle in the same direction as the traffic on the right lane of the public highway.
(4) Every cyclist shall use hand signals, as defined in § 5167 of this title, when stopping or intending to make any type of turn or change of direction.
(5) Every cyclist shall ensure that the bicycle is in optimal condition to travel on a public highway.

(c) Obligations of the driver Any person who drives a vehicle or motor vehicle on a public highway must comply with the following obligations with regard to cyclists:

(1) Every driver of a vehicle shall have the obligation to yield the right of way, by reducing its speed or stopping, if necessary, to any cyclist who is crossing the roadway at a place in which there are no traffic lights installed or they are not working.

(2) Every vehicle driver shall leave a space of three (3) feet between the right side of his/her vehicle and the cyclist, when passing said cyclist. The driver shall not pass a cyclist when vehicles are approaching on the left lane traveling in the opposite direction.

(3) Every driver of a vehicle who is going to pass a cyclist on the right side, must ascertain whether he/she has allowed a space of at least ten (10) feet between the rear of his/her vehicle and the cyclist before reentering the lane. No driver shall pass a cyclist if he/she is about to make a right turn immediately after passing the cyclist. The driver shall always assume that the cyclist shall continue to travel in a straight line, unless the cyclist indicates otherwise. When about to make a left turn, every driver of a vehicle has to yield right of way to a cyclist who is in traffic just as he/she would do so with other vehicles.

(4) Every driver of a vehicle or motor vehicle shall take every precaution to not injure or cause an accident to cyclists, taking special care when weather conditions are unfavorable. In addition, drivers shall be patient, allowing cyclists the necessary space to travel, just as they would any other slow vehicle.

(5) Every driver of a vehicle shall avoid sounding a sudden blast of the horn when approaching a cyclist. On narrow roads and in emergencies, drivers shall warn cyclists of their approach by briefly sounding their horn from a prudent distance.

(6) Every vehicle driver shall take all necessary precautions before opening the doors of their vehicle, to avoid causing an accident to a cyclist.

Any person who infringes any of the provisions of this section shall incur a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished with a term of imprisonment of not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.

(Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 11.04 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.)

Responsibility of parents or guardians.

A parent of a child or the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly allow said child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this subchapter.

(Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 11.03, renumbered as § 11.05 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.)

Educational campaign.

The Commission for Traffic Safety, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Puerto Rico Police and the Highways and Transportation Authority shall develop an educational campaign through the information media to inform the public on the provisions of this subchapter.

(Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 11.06 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.)

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