Indiana Bicycle Laws

Required under age

No statewide age requirement

Applies to passengers

—

Standard

—

Penalty

Indiana has no statewide bicycle-helmet law. A handful of municipalities - including Carmel and Bloomington - encourage helmet use through public-safety campaigns but do not mandate it.

Statute

—

See our find your helmet size and kids bike sizing guide.

Statewide rule

Defers to local rules

Notes

Indiana has no statewide statute that authorises or prohibits sidewalk cycling. Local governments regulate the practice under their general municipal authority; Indianapolis prohibits sidewalk riding in the Mile Square downtown core and Bloomington restricts it in the Kirkwood Avenue commercial district. Outside designated business districts, sidewalk cycling is generally tolerated.

Statute

—

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

Yes

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

0.08

Penalty

Ind. Code § 9-30-5-1 and § 9-30-5-2 apply to anyone who operates a 'vehicle,' and § 9-13-2-196 defines vehicle to include bicycles. A bicycle OWI (operating while intoxicated) carries the same statutory penalty range as an auto OWI - a Class C misdemeanor on a first offense with up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine - although the mandatory licence suspension only attaches if the rider holds an Indiana licence.

Statute

¹²³

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

White lamp on the front, visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector or light

Rear spec

Red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, visible from a distance of 500 to 600 feet when directly in front of lawful upper-beam headlamps. A red rear lamp may be used in addition to the reflector.

Side reflectors

No

Pedal reflectors

No

When required

Darkness

Statute

¹

See our bike lights that meet the law and winter and low-light cycling setup.

— Not yet researched.

Two abreast allowed

Yes

Conditions

May not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. UVC §11-1205 derivative.

Statute

¹

Rule

—

Statute

—

— Not yet researched.

Bicycle registration required

No

Operator license required

No

Interstates

Prohibited

Notes

Bicycles are prohibited on all Interstate highways in Indiana under INDOT policy and Ind. Code § 9-21-8-58, which authorises the Department to bar pedestrians, bicycles, and other slow-moving traffic from any controlled-access facility. Conventional US routes and state highways are open by default.