Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

Biking Laws

Maryland Vehicle Laws Pertaining to Bicycles

The 2018 Maryland Code of Transportation is available here. Included are the following:      

TITLE 21. VEHICLE LAWS - RULES OF THE ROAD

Subtitle 5. Pedestrians' Rights and Rules
Subtitle 12. Operation of Bicycle and Play


Bicycles on Transit Systems

For information in the Washington region contact - www.wmata.com
For information in the Baltimore region contact - https://mta.maryland.gov/
For information about bicycles on MARC trains, contact - https://mta.maryland.gov/
For information in Montgomery County contact - https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/bikeways/index.html

Maryland's Bicycle Helmet Law

Bicycle Helmet

Maryland State Highways Where Bicycles are Prohibited

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has the authority to prohibit cyclists on any highway that is not suitable for bicycles.

The following highways are prohibited to cyclists.
  • I-68, I-70, I-81, I-83, I-95, I-97, I-195, I-270, I-370, I-395, I-495, I-695, I-795, I-895, MD 10, MD 90, MD 100, ICC MD 200
In addition, the following highway sections are prohibited to cyclists.
  • ​MD 4 from I-95 east to US 301
  • MD 26 from Market Street to US 15
  • MD 32 from I-97 west to MD 175
  • MD 32 from MD 198 west to MD 108
  • MD 295 from the Russell Street/Haines Street intersection in Baltimore City south to Washington, DC
  • ​MD 702 from south of I-95 to MD 150 (Eastern Ave)
  • US 13 (Salisbury Bypass) from US 13 Business south of Salisbury to US 13 Business north of Salisbury
  • US 15 from the US 15/US 340 interchange north to MD 355 (north of Frederick)
  • US 50 from the Washington DC line east to the US 50/US 301 split
  • US 301 from the US 50/US 301 interchange at Bowie east to the Delaware state line
  • US 340 from Valley Road/Keep Tryst Road north to Jefferson Street in Frederick
  • US 29 from MD 108 north to Old Frederick Road

Bridges

The following bridges prohibit bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
  • Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge - US 301 over the Potomac River
  • William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge - US 50/301 over Chesapeake Bay

Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge

If you are a cyclist and do not want to cross the Hatem Bridge by bicycle, use a taxi or local bus service (weekdays only) instead. Signs near the bridge describe taxi service.

For more information go to www.mdta.maryland.gov