2025 Georgia Codes – Page 343

(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white
light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and with a light on the back which shall emit a red light
visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear. Any bicycle equipped with a red reflector on the rear that is
approved by the Department of Public Safety shall not be required to have a light on the rear of the bicycle.
(b) Every bicycle sold or operated shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the
braked wheels skid on dry, level pavement.
(c) No bicycle shall be equipped or operated while equipped with a set of handlebars so raised that the opera-
tor must elevate his or her hands above the operator’s shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip
area.
(d)(1) No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle
path, bicycle lane, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivi-
sion thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term “bicycle helmet” means a piece of protective headgear
which meets or exceeds the impact standards for bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
(3) For the purposes of this subsection, a person shall be deemed to wear a bicycle helmet only if a bicycle
helmet of good fit is fastened securely upon such person’s head with the straps of such bicycle helmet.
(4) No bicycle without an accompanying protective bicycle helmet shall be rented or leased to or for the use
of any person under the age of 16 years unless that person is in possession of a bicycle helmet at the time of
the rental or lease.
(5) Violation of any provision of this subsection shall not constitute negligence per se nor contributory negli-
gence per se or be considered evidence of negligence or liability.
(6) No person under the age of 16 failing to comply with any provision of this subsection shall be fined or
imprisoned.

(a) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this
part.
(b) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit such child
or ward to violate any of the provisions of this part.

For purposes of this part, the term:
(1) “Class I electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides
assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the device reaches a
speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) “Class II electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that may be
used exclusively to propel the vehicle but is not capable of reaching a speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) “Class III electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides
assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the device reaches a
speed of 28 miles per hour.