Collisions occur in Massachusetts between bicyclists and motor vehicles nearly every day. In Massachusetts, all bicyclists must obey all traffic laws of the Commonwealth including red lights, stop signs and riding with traffic. All bicyclists should stay to the right of the roadway, except for left hand turns, or where bike lanes direct otherwise and bicyclists must ride in a single lane.
Many towns, such as Cambridge, discourage the riding of bicycles on sidewalks. If a bicyclist is involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or property damage in excess of $100.00, a bicyclist must notify the police in writing on a Cambridge Police Bicycle accident report. Cambridge also requires bicycle registration. Everyone 16 years old and younger is required by law to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bicycle on a public way. It is also a good idea for everyone to wear a helmet at all times while bicycling. Parents of children under the age of 16 years of age shall be held liable and fined according to M.G.L. c. 85, s11B for all violations of these laws.
The Boston Globe recently reported on an award of nearly $100,000 to police departments thought the state to provide overtime funds to address pedestrian and bicycle safety through enforcement and education. With the money, police departments are putting officers at busy intersections, issuing more citations and handing out bicycle helmets for young riders and hosting public events to reinforce their message for bicycle safety.
Bellotti Law Group handles cases with injuries caused by bicycle and automobile collisions in Boston.
