For some cyclists, riding their bikes in the summer months once the sun has gone down is the most preferred time to ride. Other bike riders who set out on full day bicycle journeys often find themselves in the dusk or dark on their way home. The point is that, as cyclists, we all may find ourselves riding our bikes at night at some point in our lives. With that being said, it is important to know the law in Indiana regarding riding bicycles at night. Sure, this will prevent you from getting a ticket from local law enforcement agencies, but following Indiana’s bicycle laws will also protect you from increased danger.
At night, drivers have a more difficult time seeing what is on the road, especially if it is not lit up and not directly in front of their headlights. Even though Indiana bicycle users can ride their bicycles at any time of the day/night, the Indiana legislature enacted IC 9-21-11-9 to make this experience safer. This statute provides that anyone riding a bicycle at night must have a white light on the front of the bike and a red light or red reflector on the back of the bike from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. This law also provides that these lights and/or the reflector must be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.
It is important to note that the reflectors and lights that came for free with the purchase of your bike may not be sufficient. Many of the lights and reflectors that are included with a store-bought bicycle cannot be seen from 500 feet away, so be sure to test it out before riding at night. Also, keep in mind that the guidelines laid out by the State of Indiana represent the minimum amount of safety measures that must be taken to be legal. The Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Caress Law Group encourage you to take additional precautions when riding your bicycle at night, including wearing reflective clothing and/or additional lights and reflectors on elbow pads, shoes, and helmets. It is well worth it to buy an extra light for your bike instead of being in the hospital because a driver couldn’t see you at night.
The Indiana Bicycle Lawyers at Caress Law Group applaud the State of Indiana in enacting this law protecting cyclists, and will continue to advocate for Indiana bicycle safety to keep Hoosier cyclists free from harm. Please feel free to contact the experienced bicycle accident attorneys at Caress Law Group if you have any questions regarding this post or if we can help you in any other way.