Bike Laws for California - Encinitas Bike Walk

CALIFORNIA BICYCLE LAWS

The California Vehicle Code contains the state laws that specify where and how bikes must operate-essential reading for anyone who rides a bike in California. Below is a summary of CVC sections relating to bicycling, with links to the exact statutory language.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. CVC 21200

WHERE YOU CAN RIDE

Roadway: Bicyclists can ride wherever they want if they’re traveling at the speed of traffic. If traveling slower than the speed of traffic, they can still position themselves wherever in the lane is necessary for safety. The law says that people who ride bikes must ride as close to the right side of the road as safely practicable except under the following conditions: when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. CVC 21202

Bicycle lanes: On a roadway with a bike lane, bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use the bike lane except when making a left turn, passing, avoiding hazardous conditions, or approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. CVC 21208

Direction of travel: Bicyclists must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic, except when passing, making a legal left turn, riding on a one-way street, riding on a road that is too narrow, or when the right side of the road is closed due to road construction. CVC 21650

Motorized bicycles: Motorized bicycles may not be used on trails, bike paths or lanes unless allowed by local authorities. CVC 21207.5

Bike path obstruction: No one may stop on or park a bicycle on a bicycle path. CVC 21211

Sidewalks: Individual cities and counties control whether bicyclists may ride on sidewalks. CVC 21206

Freeways: Bicycles (including motorized bicycles) may not be ridden on freeways and expressways where doing so is prohibited by the California Department of Transportation and local authorities. CVC 21960

Toll bridges: Bicyclists may not cross a toll bridge unless permitted to do so by the California Department of Transportation. CVC 23330

EQUIPPING YOUR BIKE

Brakes: Bicycles must be equipped with a brake that allows an operator to execute a one-braked-wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. CVC 21201(a)

Handlebars: Handlebars must not be higher than the rider’s shoulders. CVC 21201(b)

Bicycle size: Bicycles must be small enough for the rider to stop, support it with one foot on the ground, and start safely. CVC 21201(c)

Lights: At night a white headlight visible from the front must be attached to the bicycle or the bicyclist. CVC 21201(d) and CVC 21201(e)

Reflectors: At night bicycles must have the following reflectors:

Visible from the back: red reflector

Visible from the front & back: white or yellow reflector on each pedal or on the bicyclist’s shoes or ankles

Visible from the side:

1) white or yellow reflector on the front half of the bicycle and

2) a red or white reflector on each side of the back half of the bike. These reflectors are not required if the bike has reflectorized front and back tires. CVC 21201(d)

Seats: All riders must have a permanent, regular seat, unless the bicycle is designed by the manufacturer to be ridden without a seat. Bicycle passengers weighing less than 40 lbs. must have a seat which retains them in place and protects them from moving parts. CVC 21204

OPERATING YOUR BIKE

Helmets: Bicyclists and bicycle passengers under age 18 must wear an approved helmet when riding on a bicycle. CVC 21212

Head phones: Bicyclists may not wear earplugs in both ears or a headset covering both ears. Hearing aids are allowed. CVC 27400

Alcohol and drugs: Bicyclists may not ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. CVC 21200.5

Hitching rides: Bicyclists may not hitch rides on vehicles. CVC 21203

Carrying articles: Bicyclists may not carry items which keep them from using at least one hand upon the handlebars. CVC 21205

Pedestrians: Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Bicyclists must also yield the right-of-way to totally or partially blind pedestrians carrying a predominantly white cane or using a guide dog. CVC 21950 and CVC 21963

Parking: Bicyclists may not leave bicycles on their sides on the sidewalk or park bicycles in a manner which obstructs pedestrians. CVC 21210

ELECTRIC BIKES

San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program – 20214.7

(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.

(b) A local authority within the County of San Diego, or the County of San Diego in unincorporated areas, may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle.

(A) For the first 60 days after the prohibition comes into effect, a warning notice.

(B) After the first 60 days, a violation of the ordinance or resolution shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25).

(2) A record of the action shall not be transmitted to the court and a fee shall not be imposed upon a citation for this infraction if the parent or legal guardian of the person who violated the prohibition delivers proof to the issuing agency within 120 days after the citation was issued that the person has completed an electric bicycle safety and training program pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(3) If an unemancipated minor violates an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of the minor shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of a fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.

(d) (1) If an ordinance or resolution is adopted pursuant to this section, the county shall, by January 1, 2028, submit a report to the Legislature that includes all of the following:

(A) The total number of traffic stops initiated for a violation of the ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section.

(B) The results of those traffic stops, including whether a warning or citation was issued, property was seized, or an arrest was made.

(C) The number of times a person was stopped for allegedly operating a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle while under 12 years of age but was found to be over the age limit.

(D) If a warning or citation was issued, a description of the warning or the violation cited.

(E) If an arrest or traffic stop was made, the offense cited by the officer for the arrest or traffic stop and the perceived race or ethnicity, gender, and approximate age of the person stopped, provided that the identification of these characteristics is solely based on the observation and perception of the peace officer who initiated the traffic stop.

(F) The actions taken by a peace officer during a traffic stop, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) Whether the peace officer asked for consent to search the person and, if so, whether consent was provided.

(ii) Whether the peace officer searched the person or property, and, if so, the basis for the search and the type of contraband or evidence discovered.

(iii) Whether the peace officer seized property and, if so, the type of property that was seized and the basis for seizing the property.

(G) The number of times a person opted to complete, and did complete, the training course in lieu of paying the fine.

(H) The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality in the six months prior to the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.

(I) The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality after the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.

(2) A report submitted pursuant to this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(e) A local authority shall administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, which shall include public announcements in major media outlets and press releases.

(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 823, Sec. 1. (AB 2234) Effective January 1, 2025. Repealed as of January 1, 2029, by its own provisions.)

Visit the California Vehicle Code to see all motorist codes