Bicycling and the California
Vehicle Code
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of Contents
BRAKES--Every bicycle operated on a roadway
shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one
braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (21201 (a) V.C.)
HANDLEBARS--No person shall operate on
the highway any bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator
must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in
order to grasp the normal steering grip area. (21201 (b) V.C.)
MODIFICATIONS--No person shall operate
upon any highway a bicycle which is of such a size as to prevent the operator
from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position
with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
(21201 V.C.)
LIGHTS--Every bicycle operated upon any
highway during darkness shall be equipped with a lamp emitting a white
light which, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in
front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 ft. in front
and from the sides of the bicycle. (21201 (d) V.C.)
A lamp emitting a white light, attached
to the operator and visible from 300 ft. in front and from the sides of
the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by Section 21201
(d) (1). (21201 (e) V.C.
REFLECTORS--No person shall operate a bicycle
upon any highway during darkness unless it is equipped with the following
reflex reflectors: (a) A red reflector meeting legal requirements of the
rear visible 500 ft. to the rear while in front of the upper beams of a
motor vehicle. (b) A white or yellow reflector meeting legal requirements
on each pedal visible 200 ft. from the front and rear. (c) 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.
Bicycles which are equipped with reflectorized
tires on the front and rear need not be equipped with side reflex reflectors.
(21201 (d) (2) (3) (4) V.C.)
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Every person operating a bicycle upon
a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride as
close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except
when overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle, when preparing
for a left-turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway,
or when reasonablely necessary to avoid unsafe conditions. (21202 (a) V.C.)
A person may operate a bicycle as near
the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway only on a one-way street consisting
of two or more marked traffic lanes. This does not include a two-way divided
highway. (21202 (b) V.C.)
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| Prohibition
on Headsets and Earplugs |
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No person operating a bicycle upon a highway
shall ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat. (21204
(a) V.C.)
No operator shall allow a person riding
as passenger, and no person shall ride as a passenger, on a bicycle upon
a highway other than upon or astride a separate seat. If the passenger
is four years or younger, or weighs 40 pounds or less, the seat shall have
adequate provision for retaining the minor in place and for protecting
the minor form the moving parts of the bicycle. (21204 (b) V.C.) Such passengers
must wear a helmet meeting specified safety standards. (21204 V.C.)
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Whenever a bicycle lane has been established
on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon that roadway at a speed
less than the normal speed of traffic, shall ride within the bicycle lane,
except when overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian,
when preparing for a left-turn an intersection or into a private road or
driveway, or when reasonably necessary to avoid debris or other hazardous
conditions. (21208 (a) V.C.) No person operating a bicycle shall leave
a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety, and
then only after giving the appropriate signal in the event any motor vehicle
may be affected by the movement. (21208 (b) V.C.) No person shall stop,
stand, sit or loiter upon any bikeway or other public or private bicycle
path or trail if such conduct impedes or blocks normal and reasonable movement
of any bicyclist. No person shall place or park any bicycle, vehicle or
other object upon a bicycle lane which impedes or blocks any bicyclist
except as required for safety or legal compliance. (21211 V.C.)
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No person shall leave a bicycle lying
on its side on any sidewalk, or shall park a bicycle on a sidewalk in any
other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
Local authorities may prohibit bicycle parking in designated areas of the
public highway, provided appropriate signs are erected. (21210 V.C.)
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| Ownership,
Licensing and Local Regulations |
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Local authorities may, by ordinance, regulate
the registration of bicycles and the parking and operation of bicycles
on pedestrian or bicycle facilities, provided such regulation is not in
conflict with the provisions of the Vehicle Code. (21206 V.C.)
If a city or county has or adopts a bicycle
licensing ordinance or resolution, it may provide that no resident shall
operate a bicycle on any street, road, highway, or other public property
within the jurisdiction unless the bicycle is licensed. (39002 (a) V.C.)
It is unlawful for any person to tamper,
destroy, mutilate, or alter any license indicia or registration form, or
to remove, alter, or mutilate the serial number, or the identifying symbol,
on any licensed bicycle frame. (39002 V.C.)
Contact your local Police Department
or License and Code Department for specific regulations on Bicycle Licensing
in your city.
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| Riding
Under the Influence |
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| Links
to the Complete Text of the California Vehicle Code |
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