State has a Far Right as Practicable Requirement

Louisiana requires a bicyclist to ride as near the right side of the roadway as practicable, with exceptions for passing, preparing to turn left, avoiding a hazard or lane too narrow to share safely with a vehicle, and approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

Allows Two Abreast Riding

Louisiana bicyclists may ride two abreast on a roadway. Riding more than two abreast is prohibited except on paths or roadway sections reserved exclusively for bicycles.

Single File is Required

Louisiana does not require single-file riding. The statute permits two abreast and only bars more than two abreast outside bicycle-exclusive facilities.

Has a Safe Passing Law

Louisiana requires a motorist overtaking a bicycle to leave at least three feet of clearance and maintain it until safely past the rider. This is codified as the Colin Goodier Protection Act. A driver may pass in a no-passing zone only if it can be done safely.

Helmets are required on the road

Louisiana requires an approved, properly fastened bicycle helmet for any rider or passenger under age 12. A passenger who weighs less than 40 pounds or is shorter than 40 inches must also be secured in a restraining seat.

If Bike Lanes are present, they are required ( except when unsafe )

Louisiana does not require cyclists to use a bicycle path or lane when one is available; a former mandatory-path-use provision was repealed in 2011. A separate statute restricts when motor vehicles may enter a bicycle lane and requires them to yield to bicycles there, but that duty runs against drivers, not cyclists.

Riders may use the sidewalks

Louisiana has no statewide statute that specifically permits or prohibits riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Whether it is allowed depends on local ordinance, which varies by municipality.

Does the Impeding Statute Apply to Bikes

Louisiana has no general impeding-traffic statute that applies to bicycles by its own terms. The near-right riding rule (R.S. 32:197(A)) is itself conditional — it applies only while riding slower than traffic, and does not apply while passing, turning left, or avoiding a hazard or unsafe narrow lane — so whether a rider must yield the lane to faster traffic depends on which of those situations applies.

Whether cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs (the "Idaho stop").

Louisiana has no stop-as-yield or "dead red" law for bicyclists. A cyclist must stop at stop signs and red signals under the same rules that apply to any other vehicle operator.

Restrictions exist on e-bikes and usage

Louisiana regulates electric-assisted bicycles under a three-class system with equipment and labeling requirements. No person under 12 may operate a Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle, and local authorities may restrict Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bikes on specific shared-use trails or paths.

Allows the concept of Contributory Negligence that allows any contributory fault resuls in 'no fault'

As of a January 1, 2026 amendment (Acts 2025, No. 15), Louisiana is no longer a pure comparative fault state. Under Civil Code article 2323, an injured cyclist's damages are reduced by their own percentage of fault, but recovery is barred entirely once that fault reaches 51%. Before 2026, Louisiana had allowed recovery of a proportional share regardless of the plaintiff's percentage of fault.