The road system in our country does not only regulate the circulation of motorized vehicles on public roads, but also that of bicycles or vehicles with animal traction. That is why in this article we will present the rules that the cyclists must respect for traveling on the roads in Romania this year.
A first condition to be met by those who want to cycle on public roads is a minimum age limit. In particular, according to the Road Code, the driver of a bicycle must be at least 14 years old.
Then another obligation for those who travel by bicycle is to equip them with lighting systems or, as they are known, a headlamp and a stop. Bicyclists cannot use bicycles that have no illumination and reflective-fluorescent devices at night.
In order to be used on public roads, a bicycle needs an efficient braking system, a functional steering system, equipped with audible warning systems (car horns are forbidden) with at least one reflective device red on the back (some reflective materials) and orange cat eyes on the spokes of the wheels.
According to the Road Code, cyclists can circulate on all public roads in Romania, except for motorways. They can only run on the bicycle track if there are such tracks in that area or on the right side of the road or the first lane, but only in the direction of travel. Bicyclists can also travel on the sidewalks, but only if they are equipped with bicycle tracks or public parks and gardens, provided they do not disturb the pedestrians on the alleys.
Additionally, when riding on public roads, cyclists are required to have the ID card on them. The authorities also recommend that bicyclists wear safety clothing, such as approved helmets.
Instead, cyclists cannot travel in winter conditions, i.e. when roads are covered with ice, or snow, or across a pedestrian crossing road while on a bicycle. Therefore, crossing the pedestrian crossing of cyclists can only be done if the bicyclist goes by the bicycle.
Cyclists also have a number of restrictions or prohibitions, namely:
Not to learn or practice cycling on intensive roads;
Not to go with both hands raised on the handlebars or with both feet raised on the pedals;
Not to run more bicycles in parallel along the way;
Not cycling if they have consumed alcohol, narcotic drugs, or drugs with similar effects;
Do not cling or be towed by a running vehicle;
Not to carry other people on bicycles (except for children under seven years of age);
Not to carry or to haul any object which, because of its size, jeopardizes or endangers the driving of the bicycle or the movement of the other road users;
Not to run overnight without wearing fluorescent or reflective vests;
Not to run on a road, if there is a parallel trail or a bay on which you can ride a bicycle.
Bicyclists who do not comply with the rules that apply to them and are present in the road traffic laws in our country risk the fines provided in the third class of sanctions, that is, they may receive between six and eight points. Given that in 2018 the fine has the value of 145 leis, the fines that cyclists may receive for violation of the rules are between 870 and 1,160 lei.