Title 31
Motor and Other Vehicles

Chapter 19
Operation of Bicycles

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-3

§ 31-19-3. Applicability of traffic laws.

Every person riding an electric personal assistive mobility device (“EPAMD”), riding an electric motorized bicycle, or propelling a vehicle by human power shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle by chapters 12 — 27 of this title, except as to special regulations in this chapter and except as to those provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title which by their nature can have no application. This section shall not forbid a bicyclist, EPAMD or electric motorized bicycle from traveling upon the shoulders of the highway except for those highways which prohibit bicyclists; provided, that an EPAMD shall possess all the rights and obligations of a pedestrian, but shall not have the rights and responsibilities of the operator of a motor vehicle and that cities and towns may regulate the operation of an EPAMD. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 58, § 2; P.L. 1980, ch. 329, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 56, § 4; P.L. 2002, ch. 136, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 116; P.L. 2002, ch. 397, § 3.