Senate Bill 73

SENATE BILL 73

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Pamelya Herndon

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF BICYCLES; REQUIRING A PERSON RIDING A BICYCLE AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR A YIELD SIGN TO STOP WHEN REQUIRED FOR SAFETY; AMENDING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 66 NMSA 1978.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 66-3-702 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 101) is amended to read:

     "66-3-702. TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO PERSONS RIDING BICYCLES.--Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle except [as to the special regulations within Sections 64-3-701 through 64-3-707 NMSA 1953] in regard to the:

          A. equipment, maintenance and operation of the bicycle pursuant to Sections 66-3-701 through 66-3-707 NMSA 1978; or

          B. operation of the bicycle at an intersection pursuant to Section 66-7-345 NMSA 1978."

     SECTION 2. Section 66-7-345 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1965, Chapter 91, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-7-345. AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE THROUGH HIGHWAYS AND STOP AND YIELD INTERSECTIONS.--

          A. The state transportation commission, with reference to state and county highways, and local authorities, with reference to other highways under their jurisdiction, may designate through highways and erect stop signs or yield signs at specified entrances thereto or may designate any intersection as a stop intersection or as a yield intersection and erect stop signs or yield signs at one or more entrances to the intersection.

          B. Preferential right of way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in the Motor Vehicle Code.

          C. Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle, other than a person riding a bicycle, approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.

          D. The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign, if required for safety to stop, shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.

          E. Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every person riding a bicycle and approaching:

                (1) a stop intersection indicated by a red traffic control signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After stopping, if there is no approaching pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle traffic with the right of way, the person riding a bicycle may proceed through the intersection without waiting for the traffic control signal to turn green; and

                (2) an intersection with a stop sign or a yield sign, if there is no approaching pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle traffic with the right of way, the person riding a bicycle may proceed through the intersection without stopping. If required for safety to stop, the person riding a bicycle shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the person riding a bicycle has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway."

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.

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