What amazes me the most about these restrictions is that they show how badass cyclists can be. The fact that our city had to make regulations about some of these biking activities draws a picture for me of a speeding circus bear holding packages in each hand, breaking the sound barrier and barreling down the walkways on a unicycle. Here are five of the most interesting Albuquerque bike laws. Hands-on No matter how skilled, cyclists shouldn’t carry things that prevent them from having at least one hand on the handlebars. Get Off! It’s illegal to “cling” to a moving vehicle while on a bike. I wonder if roller skates are another matter. Stay Seated This one’s fun as a direct quote: “No bicyclist shall ride upon a bicycle other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.” Outta My Way! Bicyclists shouldn’t ride on the sidewalk when it is safe to ride in the street or within a business district. And if you are on the cement, you must yield to pedestrians. Who’d have thought? Lead Foot You can’t go faster than the speed limit. Well, even if you can, you’re not allowed to.
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The Code of Ordinances about bikes comes in a pamphlet along with a complete map of bike trails around Albuquerque, a list of bike shops, info about the free Effective Cycling Class offered by the city and www.BikeABQ.org, rules about how to load your bike onto a bus, and questions you should ask yourself before buying a bicycle. These pamphlets are available for free at most bike shops or events.
