Cycling Law California

California, Orange County in particular, has striven to be a bike-friendly state and has put specific laws in place to protect cyclists while they are riding on roadways. For the most part, bicycles are to be treated as any other vehicle on the road in regards to right-of-way and general traffic laws. However, there are California state statutes that are targeted to bicycle riders as well as to how motorists should interact with bicycles on the road. These laws are in place to ensure that California is a safe place for bicyclists to ride and prevent accidents whenever possible.

Top 11 Cycling laws of California 

While there are many laws on cycling, we believe the ones listed below are the most important California bicycle laws. These and other cycling laws can be found in the California Vehicle Code, which we abbreviate as “CVC.” We provide links to the each section of the code cited below.

1. Bicyclists Must Follow The Vehicle Code

As a general rule, adult bicyclists have the same duties and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. Thus stop at stop signs and red lights just like all other vehicles 

2. Ride With Traffic

Ride in the same direction as traffic. If traveling in the opposite direction of a one way street, walk your bicycle on the sidewalk.

3. Ride On The Right Side Of The Road

If you are riding as fast as traffic, you can ride in the traffic lane. In most cases, you will be moving slower than traffic. Then you must ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.

Several important exceptions to the rule are included in the Vehicle Code which allow you to “take the lane.”  These exceptions are: (1) overtaking and passing another bicyclist, (2) preparing to take a left turn, and (3) when “reasonably necessary to avoid conditions . . . that make it unsafe to continue to ride along the right-hand curb or edge,” such as pedestrians walking in the roadway.

4. Use Bike Lanes 

If you are riding on a roadway with a bike lane and moving slower than traffic, you must use the bike lane. You may exit the bike lane after you determine it reasonably safe to do so and give the appropriate a signal. Specific examples of when you can leave a bike lane listed in the Vehicle Code include; making a left turn, passing another bicyclist, avoiding a pedestrian or car in the bike lane, and approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

5. Yield To Pedestrians

Pedestrians should always use marked crosswalks when crossing a roadway. But even if they do not, bicyclists must exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian on a roadway.

6. Stop At, Not In, The Crosswalk

Crosswalks are for pedestrians, not cars or bicycles.

7. Ride With Lights And Reflectors At Night

When riding at night, you or your bike must be equipped with a white light that is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front of the bike. The bike must also have:

(1) a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear that is visible from a distance of 500 feet

(2) a white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet; and

(3) a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, unless your bike has front and rear reflectorized tires .

8. Under 18, Wear A Helmet

If you are under age 18, you must wear an approved helmet when riding. If you are 18 and older, a helmet is not required. Do not risk a life-threatening head injury in a bike crash: always wear a helmet.

9. One Ear Not Covered

Bicyclists are not allowed to wear earplugs in both ears or a headset covering both ears (CVC 27400).

10. No Tall Bikes On Roadways

The bike must be of size that the bicyclist can stop, support it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and start in a safe manner.

11. Have Brakes That Work

Ok – we added one more law as a “bonus.” It should go without saying, but make your brakes work. Bicycles must be equipped with a brake that allows you to make a one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement CVC 21201(a).

One key law for vehicle drivers – the California Three Feet for Safety Act requires that:

a) A driver to provide a three feet buffer between his/her vehicle and the bicycle when passing; and,

b) A driver who is unable to provide the minimum three-foot passing distance due to traffic or roadway conditions to
(1) slow to a reasonable and prudent speed when passing and 
(2) only pass when doing so would not endanger the safety of the bicyclist.

Are you a bicyclists injured in California?

Jimmie Kang Law Firm is dedicated to helping California bicyclists get the compensation they deserve when they are injured due to the fault of driver. Our California bike attorneys will review your case for free and advise you of your legal rights without any cost or obligation on your end.

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