Massachusetts Bicycle Accident FAQs

Dooring is when someone opens a car door into the path of a cyclist, and the person who opened the door is usually the one responsible. Massachusetts law says no person may open a door on a motor vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so without interfering with the movement of other traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians (M.G.L. c. 90, § 14). The fine is up to $100.

Because the statute says "no person," it covers a passenger who opens a door as well as the driver. Breaking the rule is evidence of negligence in a civil case, not automatic proof. If the door pushed you into traffic and a second vehicle hit you, that driver may share responsibility too. Our Boston bicycle accident lawyers can review how the crash happened.

The same law amended M.G.L. c. 89, § 2: if a driver cannot pass a vulnerable user at a safe distance in the same lane, the driver must use all or part of the next lane, crossing the center line if necessary, when it is safe to do so and within the speed limit. The act also requires trucks of 10,001 pounds or more that are bought or leased by the Commonwealth, or operated under a contract with it, on or after January 1, 2025 to carry side guards, convex and crossover mirrors, and backup cameras (M.G.L. c. 90, § 7). See what happens in a car versus bicycle crash.

At least four feet, at a reasonable and proper speed. Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2022, "An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities," added that rule to M.G.L. c. 90, § 14 for drivers passing a "vulnerable user," a term that covers cyclists, pedestrians, people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, and certain other road users.

Often, because Massachusetts law directly addresses it. Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 14, a driver who passes a cyclist going the same way may not turn right at an intersection or driveway unless the turn can be made at a safe distance from the cyclist and at a reasonable and proper speed.

Section 14 also says that it is not a defense for a motorist who causes a crash with a bicycle that the bicycle was to the right of vehicle traffic. Fault is still decided on the facts, including where each of you was and when the driver signaled, so video from nearby businesses and buses is worth requesting quickly. Read about drivers who hit cyclists.

Only riders and bicycle passengers 16 years old or younger must wear a helmet in Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B). Adults have no helmet requirement.

For young riders, the law is protective. Section 11B says a helmet violation cannot be used as evidence of contributory negligence, and more broadly that a violation of the section by a minor under 18 shall not affect any civil right or liability. For adults, no Massachusetts statute addresses whether not wearing a helmet can reduce damages. A defense lawyer may try, but would need medical proof that a helmet would have prevented or reduced a specific injury, and the judge decides whether that evidence comes in. Read about bicycle accidents involving children.

Yes to the travel lane, and sometimes to the sidewalk. A cyclist may use all public ways except limited-access or express state highways posted to bar bicycles, and must follow the traffic laws (M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B). The statute does not require you to ride against the curb. Cyclists may ride two abreast, but must stay within a single lane on roads with more than one lane in their direction.

Sidewalk riding is allowed outside business districts when necessary for safety, unless a local ordinance says otherwise, and you must yield to pedestrians. At night, the statute requires a white front light and a red rear light and reflector. The statute also requires a cyclist to report a crash involving injury or more than $100 in property damage to the local police. If you broke a riding rule, you can still recover as long as your fault was not greater than the combined fault of those you sue, with damages reduced by your share.

Usually the personal injury protection (PIP) on the car that hit you. For PIP purposes, Massachusetts treats a person operating a bicycle as a pedestrian (M.G.L. c. 90, § 34A), and PIP covers a pedestrian struck by the insured vehicle, whether or not you own a car.

PIP has an $8,000 total limit for medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services, and it coordinates with your health insurance after the first $2,000 of medical bills. The answer can change if you were riding a moped, a motorized bicycle, or another motorized vehicle, because PIP excludes those. Class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles are defined separately from motorized bicycles under M.G.L. c. 90, § 1, so an e-bike crash needs a closer look at the policy language. Our pedestrian accident FAQs explain PIP for people outside a car in detail, including hit-and-run crashes.

Then the claim may be against the city, town, or state, and it starts with a 30-day notice deadline. For a defect in a public way, written notice must reach the city or town (or whoever must keep that road in repair) within 30 days of the injury, stating your name and address and the time, place, and cause of the injury (M.G.L. c. 84, § 18). A notice with minor mistakes can still count if there was no intent to mislead and the recipient was not misled.

A defect alone does not win the case. You also have to show the responsible government knew or should have known about it in time to fix it. Recovery against a city or town is capped at $5,000 (M.G.L. c. 84, § 15). A defect on a state highway falls under M.G.L. c. 81, § 18, with a $4,000 cap, notice to the Department of Transportation, and no liability for defects on the sidewalk or during construction or repair work. Because the caps are low, it matters whether a utility or contractor created the hazard, since claims against them are not capped. Our page on claims against the government explains more.

Keep them as they are. A bent frame, a cracked helmet, and torn clothing show the direction and force of the impact, and they can answer defense arguments about speed, lane position, and helmet use. Do not repair or throw anything away until it has been photographed and, in a serious case, inspected.

Also save your ride data. Many cyclists record rides on a phone app, bike computer, or camera, and that data can show your speed and route at the moment of impact. If the crash was fatal, our wrongful death FAQs explain the family's claim.