It’s important to know traffic laws before you get on the road. Acting within the law and riding as a part of normal vehicular flow will make your ride a safer and more enjoyable one.

You can find the full California Vehicle Code, as applicable to bicyclists, on the Department of Motor Vehicle’s Web site. Some additional rules may apply depending on each city within the region, so please become familiar with your particular area’s requirements.

Some basic rules and guidelines are provided below for your convenience.

Basics   

• Wear bright-colored clothing at all times and reflective clothing at night. Stay alert, scanning the road and traffic around you, and don’t wear headphones or earbuds on both ears.

• Be proactive about bike maintenance and keep your bike properly equipped with lights, a patch kit, pump, and lock.

• Ensure that your brakes can bring you to a fast, safe, and complete stop. Use caution and allow for extra stopping distance during wet conditions.

• Ride defensively, ride with the flow of traffic, and maintain a car door’s width away from parked cars.

• Don’t ride impaired. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

• Always use a rack or backpack to avoid holding items in your hands that may impair your ability to control the bicycle.

Riding on the Roadway

• Ride as a normal part of traffic flow. Riding too far to the right may cause you to be overlooked by surrounding traffic. When it is safe, move right to allow others to pass.

• In some cases, it may be safer not to share a lane. Such situations include narrow lanes, parked vehicles, hazards or obstacles, making a left turn, and avoiding vehicles making a right turn.

• Motorists and other traffic do not expect to be passed on the right-hand side, so be wary of motorists’ blind spots and situations where a vehicle may make a right turn.

• Before moving across or within lanes, always look over your shoulder and signal your intentions. Don’t assume that other traffic can see you or will stop for you.

• A bicyclist is allowed to ride to the left side of the roadway on a one-way street.

Intersections

• Watch out for cars pulling out.

• Use hand signals to indicate a turn, except when both hands are needed to retain control of the bicycle. 

• When turning left, move cautiously into the far-left or left turn lane. Don't turn left from the right-hand side of the road.

• When going straight, merge to the left of "Right Turn Only" lanes while avoiding turning traffic. Do not go straight in a lane marked “Right Turn Only."

Sidewalks

Riding on sidewalks should be avoided and may be prohibited in some areas. If you choose to ride on a sidewalk or crosswalk, where allowed, ride cautiously and yield right-of-way to pedestrians. A bell or vocal warning should be given to pedestrians before passing.

Hazards

Be aware of hazards on the roadway, such as parallel-slat sewer grates, slippery manhole covers, oily pavement, sand, and gravel. Cross railroad tracks carefully and at right-angles to the track. Stand up on your pedals for better control.

Helmets

All riders are encouraged to wear helmets while riding. A helmet meeting the ANSI, Snell, or ASTM standards is required for anyone under 18 years of age.

Lights

When riding at night, bicycles are required to have a headlight emitting white light, visible from no less than 300 feet, as well as rear, pedal, and side reflectors.

If you’re not finding the safety answers you’re looking for, e-mail RideLink or call 511 and say RideLink.