Follow rules for everyone's safety

To the editor:
I ride a bicycle as my means of transportation.
The weather now is becoming nice and more bicycles will be on the streets. I am writing this for all involved, bicyclists and drivers, to remind those who know and educate those who don’t know the laws in Indiana concerning bicycles.
I shall cite each item, in order, down the code:
•Section 9-21-11-1: Parents and guardians; authorizing or permitting violation of chapter; bicycles; application of chapter
The parent of a child and the guardian of a protected person may not authorize or knowingly permit the child or protected person to violate this chapter.
Subject to the exceptions state, the provisions of this chapter applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon a highway or a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
•Section 9-21-11-2: Roadways, rights and duties
A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all the rights and duties under this article that are applicable to a person who drives a vehicle.
•Section 9-21-11-3: Operation; seats; passengers
A person propelling a bicycle may not ride other than upon the permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle or carry any other person upon the bicycle who is not seated upon a firmly attached and regular seat on the bicycle.
A person may not ride upon a bicycle unless seated under this section.
•Section 9-21-11-4: Number of passengers
A bicycle may not be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which the bicycle is designed and equipped.
•Section 9-21-11-5: Attachment to street car or vehicle; prohibition
A person upon a bicycle, a coaster, roller skates or a toy vehicle may not attach the bicycle, coaster, roller skates or toy vehicle or the person to a street car or vehicle upon a roadway.
•Section 9-21-11-6: Lane use restrictions; riding two abreast
A person riding a bicycle upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
•Section 9-21-11-7: Packages, bundles or other articles preventing proper us of handlebars.
A person who rides a bicycle may not carry a package, bundle or an article that prevents the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
•Section 9-21-11-8: Bell or other audible signaling devices; sirens; whistles
A person may not ride a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet. A bicycle may not be equipped with and a person may not use upon a bicycle a siren or whistle.
•Section 9-21-11-9: Lamps and reflectors
A bicycle operated on a highway from one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise must be equipped with the following: A lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear or a red reflector visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
•Section 9-21-11-10: Brakes: A bicycle must be equipped with a brake will enable the person who operates the bicycle to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
•Section 9-21-11-11: Highways; regulations and requirements
A person who operates a bicycle upon on highway shall observe the regulations and requirements of this article.
•Section 9-21-11-14: Violations; Class C infraction
A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
Follow the above rules, wear a helmet, a safety vest and use hand signals.
Drivers, the roads are here to share. Don’t get upset because of a bicycle, a golf cart or an Amish buggy.
Slow down and leave earlier if you need to. Be it a young child or a senior citizen, we all have a right to the streets, so let’s show each other respect and share the road.
Daniel E. Chase
Portland