Blue Bike Lights

Blue bike lights are legal in most states. Interpreting state lighting laws that makes them legal isn’t simple. Bicycles are classified as vehicles and they have different lighting laws than motor vehicles. Laws that specifically prohibit blue lights on motor vehicles make them legal on non-motor vehicles. States that prohibit flashing blue lights on a vehicle may allow the use of blue bike lights if they aren’t flashing.

Some state’s lighting laws include a section titled ‘special restrictions on lamps’ or something similar. This section generally defines the use of blue lights for all vehicles. Most states that allow blue bike lights will have “a forward facing law” in this section.

Forward facing laws make it illegal to display a blue light that is visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle. The same law makes it legal to have a blue light on a bike if the light can only be seen from a position directly behind the bike.

Forward facing laws make it legal for cyclists to use blue tail lights for their personal safety. Forward facing laws also work for State Legislators and Emergency Responders who need to insure that flashing red or blue bike lights will not be confused with an emergency vehicle by pedestrians, motorists, or cyclists.

We’ve created this look up to help you review your state’s blue bike light statutes. When in doubt, check with your local municipality. We update the look-up on a regular basis and rely on your input. So, please let us know if you discover any discrepancies in the look-up.

Alabama

State: Alabama

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector / optional red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: “No vehicle other than a police vehicle will use a blue light”

Statue: 32-5A-115 c

Alaska

State: Alaska

Blue Bike Lights: Questionable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector and a red light

Clarification / Requirements: No blue bike light restrictions found. The statutes are specific to a person’s motor vehicle. Flashing blue lights are prohibited.

Statue: 13 ACC 04.100 (a), (h)

Arizona

State: Arizona

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector / optional red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle.

Statue: 16-28-947 B

Arkansas

State: Arkansas

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Flashing lights prohibited.

Statue: A.C.A. §27-36-208 b-1

California

State: California

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: “No person shall display a steady or flashing blue warning light on a bicycle.”

Statue: VC §21201.3 b

Colorado

State: Colorado

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector or red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: A blue light shall not be visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle

Statue: 42-4-238 (1)

Connecticut

State: Connecticut

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red reflector in addition to a rear light

Clarification / Requirements: A blue light may not be illuminated upon a motor vehicle

Statue: 14-96p. 4b

Delaware

State: Delaware

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a light

Clarification / Requirements: Flashing lights prohibited except on emergency vehicles.

Statue: 21.4353 c

District of Columbia

State: District of Columbia

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Flashing lights are prohibited except on authorized emergency vehicles.

Statue: 18-718.6

Florida

State: Florida

Blue Bike Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector and a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: It is expressly prohibited for any vehicle to show or display blue lights.

Statue: 316-2397 (2)

Georgia

State: Georgia

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Unlawful for any person to use a motor vehicle equipped with a blue light.

Statue: O.C.G.A 40-8-90 (a)(1)

Hawaii

State: Hawaii

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: “No person shall affix a blue illumination device upon a bicycle”

Statue: RS 291-31.5 a

Idaho

State: Idaho

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Reflector – any color

Clarification / Requirements: “Only police vehicles shall display blue lights, lenses or globes”

Statue: 49-910A 1

Illinois

State: Illinois

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Blue flashing lights “prohibited” except on emergency and law enforcement vehicles”

Statue: 12-215 C, E

Indiana

State: Indiana

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Reflector – any color

Clarification / Requirements: A person who is not a member of a volunteer fire department may not display a blue light on a vehicle.

Statue: 36-8-12-11 5 (c)

Iowa

State: Iowa

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear light or a red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: “A blue light shall not be used on any vehicle”

Statue: 321.423 3.

Kansas

State: Kansas

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Flashing prohibited.

Statue: K.S.A. 8-1729 b

Kentucky

State: Kentucky

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light / flashing

Clarification / Requirements: No blue bike light restrictions found. Blue flashing, revolving, or oscillating lights unlawful.

Statue: §189.950 (2)

Louisiana

State: Louisiana

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light (flashing permitted)

Clarification / Requirements: Prohibited on a motor vehicle.

Statue: RS §32-318 F. (2)

Maine

State: Maine

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red or amber rear light or reflector

Clarification / Requirements: “A vehicle may not be equipped with or display a blue light”

Statue: RS 29 A: §2054 2 D

Maryland

State: Maryland

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red light or flashing amber light

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Flashing blue lights prohibited.

Statue: § 22-227 (b)

Massachusetts

State: Massachusetts

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector or red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Prohibited on a motor vehicle. No flashing, rotating or oscillating lights

Statue: 90-7E

Michigan

State: Michigan

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: The use or possession of flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights of any color is prohibited.

Statue: 257-698 (5)

Minnesota

State: Minnesota

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear flashing light

Clarification / Requirements: “Blue lights are prohibited on all vehicles”

Statue: 169.64.4 (a)

Mississippi

State: Mississippi

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Reflex mirror reflector or a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Prohibited on motor vehicles.

Statue: § 63-7-20 (1)

Missouri

State: Missouri

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector or a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Prohibited on a motor vehicle. No person shall use or display a siren or blue lights on a motor vehicle.

Statue: 307.175.3

Montana

State: Montana

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: “Only police vehicles may display blue lights”

Statue: 61-9-402 7

Nebraska

State: Nebraska

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Red and Blue rotating or flashing lights prohibited on motor vehicles

Statue: 60-6,230 (1)

Nevada

State: Nevada

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: “A person shall not operate a vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a blue light”

Statue: NRS 484A.480 7

New Hampshire

State: New Hampshire

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Restricted to law enforcement

Statue: RSA 266:78 b 1

New Jersey

State: New Jersey

Blue Bike Lights: Questionable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear light in addition to a red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: No specific blue bike light restrictions found.

Statue: RS 39:3-50 (c) (d)

New Mexico

State: New Mexico

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Flashing lights prohibited except on authorized emergency vehicles. No blue taillight restrictions found.

Statue: 66.3.835 C

New York

State: New York

Blue Bike Lights: Questionable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red or amber rear light

Clarification / Requirements: No blue bike light restrictions found. Statues are directed at motor vehicles.

Statue: 9 §375 (41) 4b

North Carolina

State: North Carolina

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear light or red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: It is unlawful for any person to possess a blue light or to install a blue light on any vehicle.

Statue: § 20.130.1 c

North Dakota

State: North Dakota

Blue Bike Lights: Questionable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: No blue bike light restrictions found.

Statue: § 39.21-26-3

Ohio

State: Ohio

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector

Clarification / Requirements: No flashing, oscillating or rotating blue lights

Statue: O.R.C. 4513.17 D

Oklahoma

State: Oklahoma

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: A blue light shall not be visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle.

Statue: §47.12-227 B

Oregon

State: Oregon

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector or lighting devise

Clarification / Requirements: “Only vehicles operated by a police office may be equipped with blue lights”

Statue: ORS 816.350 4

Pennsylvania

State: Pennsylvania

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear flashing light

Clarification / Requirements: No vehicle other than an emergency vehicle may be equipped with revolving or flashing lights.

Statue: 75 § 4571 D

Rhode Island

State: Rhode Island

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Flashing lights prohibited except on emergency vehicles. No blue bike light restrictions found.

Statue: § 31-24-31 a

South Carolina

State: South Carolina

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle.

Statue: 56-5-4830

South Dakota

State: South Dakota

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Reflex mirror reflector or yellow or red light

Clarification / Requirements: Blue light restricted on motor vehicles.

Statue: 32-17-42

Tennessee

State: Tennessee

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Blue flashing emergency lights on motor vehicles unlawful.

Statue: TCA §55-9-413 (a) (1)

Texas

State: Texas

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector or red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Prohibited on motor vehicles.

Statue: 547-305 c

Utah

State: Utah

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light / flashing allowed

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front center of the vehicle.

Statue: 41-6a-1616 (2) (b)

Vermont

State: Vermont

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear light or red rear reflector on bicycle or rider

Clarification / Requirements: Restricted on motor vehicles.

Statue: § 1255 2

Virginia

State: Virginia

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a steady / flashing red light

Clarification / Requirements: No blue bike light restrictions found.

Statue: § 46.2-1022

Washington

State: Washington

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear (flashing) light

Clarification / Requirements: “Blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than a law enforcement vehicle”

Statue: WAC 204-21-230 (4)

West Virginia

State: West Virginia

Blue Bike Lights: Questionable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: No lamp or device on the vehicle displaying other than a white or amber light visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle except as authorized by subsection (d) of this section. (d) Flashing blue lights are restricted to police vehicles.

Statue: § 17C-15-26 (b), (d) (1)

Wisconsin

State: Wisconsin

Blue Lights: Prohibited

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector or a flashing red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: “No vehicle may be equipped with or display any blue colored light”

Statue: 347.25 4

Wyoming

State: Wyoming

Blue Bike Lights: Acceptable

Standard Lighting Requirements: Red rear reflector in addition to a red rear light

Clarification / Requirements: Permitted if not visible from directly in front center of the vehicle. Flashing prohibited.

Statue: 31-5-928 b