55-8-173. Riding on bicycles - Playing and use of lay vehicles - Penalties

55-8-174. Clinging to vehicles - Penalty

55-8-175. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths -- Penalty. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two (2) abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, $ 75; T.C.A., $ 59-876; Acts 1985, ch. 138, $ 5; 1989, ch. 591, $ 113.1

55-8-176. Carrying articles on bicycles - Penalty

55-8-177. Bicycle lamps and brakes -- Penalties. -- (a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the department of safety which shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet (50') to three hundred feet (300') to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

(b Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty-five feet (25') from a speed of ten miles per hour (10 mph) on dry, level, clean pavement.

(c) A violation of this section is a Class Cmisdemeanor. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, $ 77; T.C.A., $ 59-878; Acts 1985, ch. 138, $ 6; 1989, ch. 591, $ 113.]

55-8-178. Regulations governing nonmotor vehicles and animals Penalty. -- (a) Every driver or person having charge of any nonmotor vehicle, on any of the public roads in or of this state, on meeting and passing another vehicle, shall give one half (1/2) of the road by turning to the right, so as not to interfere in passing.

(b) When nonmotor vehicles on such roads are traveling in the same direction, and the driver of the hindmost desires to pass the foremost, each driver shall give one half (1/2) of the road, the foremost by turning to the right, and the hindmost to the left.

(c) No driver shall stop a nonmotor vehicle on any of the public roads, for any cause or pretense whatever, without turning so far to the right as to leave at least one half (1/2) of the road free, open, and unobstructed for other travelers and vehicles.

(d) Drivers of nonmotor vehicles on public roads shall pass each other in a quiet, orderly, and peaceable manner, and shall not make any noise intended to disturb or frighten the driver or the animals drawing nonmotor vehicles.

(e) No person shall willfully, by noise, gesture or by other means, on or near public roads, disturb or frighten the driver or rider or the animals ridden or drawing vehicles thereon.

(f)(1) An intentional or careless violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor

(2) A willful or malicious violation of this section, whereby the death of any person is occasioned, is a Class E felony.