The bike and the Highway Code in Portugal

Article 1

Legal definitions

For the purposes of this Code and supplementary legislation, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them in this article:

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q) “vulnerable users” – pedestrians and bicycles, in particular, children, elderly, pregnant women, handicapped or disabled people;
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bb) “coexistence zone” – the public road area specially designed for shared use by pedestrians and vehicles, which apply special rules of the road and signed as such.


Article 14a

Roundabouts

1- At roundabouts, the driver must take the following behavior:

  1. a) Enter the roundabout after give way to vehicles traveling on it, whatever the route by which to do so;
    b) If you want to exit the roundabout at the first exit route, should take the right lane;
    c) If you want to exit the roundabout by any other exit routes, must take the road traffic over right after passing the exit route immediately before to that for which you want to leave, approaching gradually this and changing route after precautions taken;
    d) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs, drivers should use the most convenient transit route to your destination.

2 Drivers of animal-drawn vehicles and animals, cycles and heavy vehicles can occupy the road traffic over to the right, subject to the requirement to provide the output to drivers who circulate in accordance with paragraph c) of paragraph o 1.
3- Who infringe the requirements of subparagraphs b), c) and d) of paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, is punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300.


Article 17 
Road edge and sidewalks

  1. Vehicles just may use the road edge or sidewalks if the access to the buildingsso requires, with the exceptions provided for by local regulations.
    2- Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the bicycles can use the road edge out of the situations provided they do not endanger or disturb pedestrians who circulate them.
    3- The cycles driven by children up 10 years can ride on the sidewalks, provided they do not endanger or disturb pedestrians.
    4 Who infringe the requirements of paragraph 1 shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300.


Article 18 
Distance between vehicles

  1. The driver of a moving vehicle must keep between your vehicle and that precedes enough distance to prevent accidents in the event of a sudden stop or decrease in speed of this, taking particular account of vulnerable users.
    2. The driver of a moving vehicle must keep sufficient lateral distance to avoid accidents between your vehicle and the vehicles traveling in the same carriageway in the same direction or in opposite directions.
    3. The driver of a motor vehicle must hold between your vehicle and a bicycle that transit on the same carriageway a lateral distance of at least 1,5 meters, to avoid accidents.
    4 Who infringe the requirements of the preceding paragraphs shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300.


Article 25
Moderate speed

1 – Without prejudice to the maximum set speed, the driver must be especially moderate speed:

  1. a) When approaching passages signed in the lane for crossing pedestrians and or bicycles;
    (…)
    d) In the coexistence zones;
    e) When approach of vulnerable users;
    (…)


Article 32
Giving way to certain vehicles

1 – Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 1 above, drivers must give way to military or militarized columns, as well as police escorts.
2 – At intersections and junctions drivers must give way to vehicles that run on rails.
3 – Drivers must give way to bicycles crossing the lanes in the signed passages.
4 – The columns and convoys referred to in paragraph 1, as well as drivers of vehicles that run on rails, should take the necessary precautions not to hinder traffic and to prevent accidents.
5 – The riders of bicycles referred to in paragraph 3 may not cross the carriageway without first make sure that, given the distance between the vehicles that pass it and the respective speed, can do it without risk of an accident.
6 – The driver of a vehicle to animal traction or animals must give way to motor vehicles, except in the cases referred to in subparagraphs a) and c) of paragraph 1 above.
7 – A driver who fails the preceding paragraphs is punished with a fine of € 120 to € 600.


Article 38
Performance of the maneuver

1 – (…)
2 – The driver should especially make sure that:

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e) In overtaking bicycles or pedestrian crossing in circulation or in the edge, keep a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 meters and slows down the speed.

3 – For the maneuver, the driver must take the side of the road for the movement in the opposite direction or if there is more than one traffic lane in the same direction, a transit route to the left one in which circulates the vehicle exceeded.
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Article 41 
Prohibited overtaking

1 – It is forbidden to overtake:

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d) Immediately before and passages signed for crossing pedestrians and bicycles;
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Article 49 
Stopping or parking ban

1 – It is forbidden to stop or park:

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d) Within 5 m before and in the passages signed for crossing pedestrians or bicycles;
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f) In the cycle lanes, in directional islets, in the central plates of roundabouts, on sidewalks and other areas intended for pedestrian traffic;

3 – A driver who fails the requirements of paragraph 1 shall be punished with a fine of € 30 to € 150, except in the case of stopping or parking on pedestrian crossings or bicycles and in the sidewalks, preventing the passage of pedestrians, in which case the fine is € 60 to € 300.


Article 77 
Traffic lanes reserved

1 – Can be reserved using one or more traffic lanes for vehicle traffic of certain species or certain affections transport, and it is prohibited their use by drivers of any other vehicles.
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3 – It may be permitted in certain cases, the movement on the roads referred to in paragraph 1 of two-wheeled vehicles, by resolution of the competent town hall.
4- The proposed permission in the preceding paragraph was adopted on the advice of the National Authority for Road Safety (ANSR) and the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT, IP) and shall define in particular:

  1. a) The route or routes covering and their location;
    b) The class or classes of vehicles permitted to travel on each track,
    namely bicycles and or motorcycles and mopeds.


Article 78 
Special lanes

1 – Where there are tracks especially for animals or vehicles of certain species, the transit of these should be done preferably by those tracks.
2 – The use of the tracks referred to above to any other vehicles is prohibited, except for access to garages, properties and parking places or, where markings so allow, to carry out the direction change maneuver at an intersection or junction closer.
3 – On tracks aimed at bicycles, traffic is forbidden to those who have more than two wheels unwilling in line or with a tow trailer, except if the set does not exceed the width of one meter.
4 – Pedestrians may use the special lanes when there are local to them specially designed.
5 – People who move using skates, scooters or other similar means of circulation should use the lanes referred to in paragraph 3, where available.
6 – A driver who fails the preceding paragraphs is punished with a fine of € 30 to € 150, except in the case of paragraph 4, in which case the fine is € 10 to € 50.


Article 78a
Coexistence zones

1 – In a coexistence zone the following rules must be observed:

  1. a) Vulnerable users can use the whole width of the public highway;
    b) Playing games on public roads is permitted;
    c) Drivers must not compromise the safety or convenience of other road users and must stop if necessary;
    d) Vulnerable users should refrain from actions that impede or unnecessarily entangled vehicular traffic;
    e) The parking is prohibited, except in places where this is authorized by signaling is prohibited;
    f) The driver coming out of a residential or coexistence zone should give way to other vehicles.

2 – (…)
3 – A driver who fails the requirements in c), d) and e) of paragraph 1 shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300.
4 – A driver who fails the requirements of paragraph f) of paragraph 1 shall be punished with a fine of € 90 to € 450.


Article 90
Driving rules

1 – Without prejudice to paragraph 2, motor cycles, mopeds or
bicycles may not:

  1. a) Driving with hands off the handlebars, except to point out any maneuver;
    b) Follow with your feet off the pedals or support;
    c) To have the tow;
    d) Lift the front wheel or back at startup or outstanding;
    e) Follow in pair unless transitioning especially track and not cause danger or impediment to traffic.

2 – The bicycles can circulate in pair alongside a path, except on roads with reduced visibility or when there is traffic intensity, since do not circulate in parallel more than two cycles and this does not cause danger or impediment to traffic.
3 – Riders of bicycles must transit through the right side of the traffic lane, keeping the road edge or sidewalks enough distance to avoid accidents.
4 – A driver who fails the preceding paragraphs shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300, unless it is a bicycle driver, in which case the fine is € 30 to € 150.


Article 91 
Passenger

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2 – The cycles can only carry the appropriate driver, unless:

  1. a) They are provided with more than one pair of pedals capable of driving the vehicle
    simultaneously, in which case the maximum number of persons carrying
    is the number of pairs of pedals and each person being transported must be able to operate exclusively a pair of pedals;
    b) They are designed for construction, with seats for passengers in case
    that besides the driver can carry one or two passengers, as
    the number of these seats;
    c) If dealing with transport for children under the age of 7 years in
    devices specially adapted for the purpose.

3 – In bicycles that referred to in subparagraph b) above, must be guaranteed effective protection of the hands, feet and back passengers.
4 – A driver who fails the preceding paragraphs shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300.


Article 92
Cargo transport

1 – The cargo transportation in motorcycle, tricycle, ATV, moped or bicycle can only be done in trailer or cargo box.
2 – It is forbidden for drivers and passengers of vehicles referred to above carry susceptible objects impair driving or compose danger to the safety of people and things or impediment to traffic.
3 – A driver who fails the preceding paragraphs shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300.


Article 93
Use of lights

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3 – Where, in accordance with Article 61, it is mandatory to use lighting device, bicycles may only be moved with the use of devices which, for this purpose, are established by regulation.
4 – A driver who fails the preceding paragraphs shall be punished with a fine of € 60 to € 300, unless it is a bicycle driver, in which case the fine is € 30 to € 150.


Article 96
Remission

The fines provided for in this Code are reduced by half in its minimum and maximum limits when applicable to riders of bicycles, except in the case of fines specifically established for these drivers.


Article 103
Precautions to be taken by drivers

1 – When approaching a pedestrian or bicycles signed crossing, in which the traffic of vehicles is controlled by traffic lights, the driver, even if the signs allow you to advance, drivers must allow passage to the pedestrians or bicycles that have already started crossing the carriageway.
2 – When approaching a pedestrian or bicycles crossing, which the vehicles are not regulated nor light signaling or by agent, the driver must slow down and if necessary stop to pass pedestrians or bicycles that have already started crossing the carriageway.
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Article 104

Assimilation

It is equivalent to pedestrian traffic:

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b) Taking a bicycle by hands, without a trailer and car children or people with disabilities;
c) Children up to 10 years driving their bicycles, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 17;
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Article 112

Bicycles

1 – A bicycle is a vehicle with two or more wheels driven by the driver’s own efforts through pedals or similar devices.
2 – A bicycle with engine is equipped with motor bicycle assist with maximum continuous power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced with increasing speed and stopped reaching the speed of 25 km / h, or sooner if the driver stops pedaling.
3 – For the purposes of this Code, the bicycles with engine, motor scooters, as well as circulation devices with electric motor, self-balancing and automotive or other engine with similar means of circulation are treated as bicycles.


Article 113 
Vehicle towing two wheel and sidecar

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2- The bicycles can tow, at the rear, a trailer of a shaft especially for the transport of passengers and properly approved.
3. The bicycles can still be equipped with a specially designed chair and approved for the transport of children.
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Article 121 
Legal authorization to conduct

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6 – Driving on public roads for bicycles and vehicles assimilated, it is relieved of driving license entitlement.
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Article 164
Blocking and removal

1 – Can be removed vehicles that are:

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c) Parked or immobilized and constitutes evident danger or serious disruption to traffic;
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2 – For the purposes of paragraph c) above, be deemed to constitute evident danger or serious disruption to traffic the following cases  of parking or immobilization:

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c) passage of pedestrians or bicycles signposted;
d) Upon the sidewalks or in a reserved area exclusively to vulnerable road users;
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3 – Whenever any of the circumstances described in subparagraphs a), b) and c) of paragraph 1, the competent authorities for supervision can block the vehicle through an appropriate device, preventing its movement until it can proceed with the removal.
4 – In the case mentioned in paragraph c) of paragraph 1, if it is not possible to immediately remove, the competent authorities for supervision should also provide for provisional movement of the vehicle to another location in order to be there blocked until removal.
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