If it ever stops raining, people might actually be able to break out the bicycles and enjoy the summer. But if you’re one of those would-be cyclists, you’d better make sure you know the bicycling rules of the road that are spelled out in Mass. General Laws (MGL) Chapter 85, section 11B. According to Officer Greg Newman, police can now issue traffic citations to bikers who break the rules.

Massachusetts law has always provided that bicyclists who violate traffic laws are subject to fines of up to $20, but according to Newman, there has been no means of enforcement. However, in April, the state ruled that police officers can issue bicyclists the same traffic citations that are issued to motorists, and that recipients of these citations will answer to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, just as drivers do. Although bicyclists don’t have license and registration information to give police if they are stopped for traffic violations, they are required to provide their names and addresses. According to MGL, “An offender who refuses to state his/her name and address or who states a false name and address, is subject to a penalty” of $20 to $50.

In addition to issuing citations to bicycling traffic violators, police can also impound, for up to 15 days, bikes of operators younger than age 18 who violate traffic laws.

And what are those traffic laws? Bicyclists are required to follow all the rules of the road that motorists must follow, however they can pass on the right and, when riding with a group, can (as of April 15) ride two abreast. Otherwise, they must ride on the right-hand side of the road, must signal when turning, and must obey all traffic signs and traffic lights. Like motorists, bicyclists are required to report to the police department any accident involving either personal injury or property damage of more than $100. And although there are no seat belts on bicycles, there are other equipment and transportation rules cyclists must follow:

• Any bicyclist or bicycle passenger age 16 or younger has to wear a helmet secured with straps, and those helmets must meet the standards set by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Bicyclists can’t carry any package, bundle, or article on a bike, except in a basket, rack, or trailer specifically designed for that purpose.
• A bicycle’s braking system has to be able to bring a bike traveling at 15 miles per hour to a smooth, safe stop within 30 feet on a clean, dry, hard surface.
• When a bike is being ridden one-half hour after sunset or later, up to one-half hour before sunrise, it must have a front-mounted bicycle lamp that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. It must also have a rear-mounted red lamp or red reflector that is visible for not less than 600 feet when directly in front of the lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
• No bicyclist is allowed to transport a child between the ages of 1 and 4 years old on a bicycle except in a “baby seat” that is attached to the bicycle and equipped with a harness.
• A bicyclist can only ride on a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle. Passengers can ride on a permanent, regular seat attached to the bike or to a trailer towed by the bike.
• Handlebars can’t be positioned so that the operator’s hands are above his shoulders while gripping them.

Newman said that Harvard police have not issued any citations to bicyclists in Harvard.