Originally Posted by
CB HI
And since a fixed gear rider can stop from that speed in that distance, the law is satisfied.
I have nothing against fixed gear riders with no brakes. If they can ride the bike safely, then let them. However, IANAL, but I am not sure that the law is satisfied even if the can stop that quickly. The law quoted clearly says the "
bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes..." It doesn't just say the driver needs to be able to stop within 25 feet.
New York State law says:
§ 1236 (
c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
Again, I don't think a brake-less fixed-gear would satisfy the letter of the law since it is not equipped with a brake. That said, they may be able to satisfy the spirit of the law which is good enough for me but maybe not for a police officer or a judge.