It does not matter if you are on a bicycle or driving a car, you must follow all traffic laws.
§193. Operation of bicycles; general provision
The regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated hereafter.
Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.
§194. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles
Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Chapter, except as to special regulations in this Part, including special regulations applying to peace officers utilizing bicycles in furtherance of their official duties, and except as to those provisions of this Chapter which by their very nature can have no application.
Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Acts 2011, No. 98, §1.
Many larger parishes will have their own ordinances that cover the operation of bicycles. New Orleans has an ordinance similar to the state statute:
Sec. 154-1411. - Traffic laws applicable to persons riding bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic laws of the city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as otherwise provided in this article and except as to those provisions of law which by their nature, can have no application.
(Code 1956, § 38-200)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 32:194.
East Baton Rouge Parish is the same:
Sec. 11:221. - Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state, applicable to the driver of the vehicle, except as to special regulations in this chapter, including special regulations applying to police officers utilizing bicycles in furtherance of their official duties, and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.
(Ord. No. 18344, § 1, 11-23-21)
