Bicycle Safety
All road users, including motorists and bicyclists, are encouraged to respect each other and share the responsibility of creating a safer roadway environment.
Drivers of motor vehicles shall allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road, look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space, and yield to cyclists at intersections when appropriate and as directed by signs and signals.
Bicyclists on the roadway have all the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle driver and are responsible for complying with the California Vehicle Code (CVC)
Bicycle collisions can cause serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride – they are the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a collision. Section 21212 CVC requires helmet use for cyclists under the age of 18
California Vehicle Code 21760
Effective September 16, 2014, California law (Section 21760 CVC) requires at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road. When three feet is not possible, the driver of the motor vehicle shall slow to a reasonable and prudent speed and pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the bicyclists, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of roadway. Failing to do so can incur a fine, regardless of a collision or not.
Effective January 1, 2016, the slow-moving vehicle statute was clarified to require any vehicle, including bicyclists, proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic, to pull off the roadway if it has five or more vehicles lined up behind it.
TIPS FOR MOTORISTS
· Expect bicyclists on the roadway. Bicyclists have the right to use all roads except those from which they are officially excluded.
· Reduce your speed. When passing bicyclists - slow down. Air pressure from vehicles passing bicyclists, especially trucks and buses, can push a bicyclist over just by the wind created by passing at high speed. Keep in mind California’s basic speed law (CVC 22350) already requires you to drive in a way that does not endanger others.
· Look for people bicycling. When preparing to enter the roadway or make a turn, look carefully for oncoming bicyclists. Many bicyclists are capable of speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour.
· Give at least three feet. Do not overtake or pass a person bicycling too closely. California law requires a standard minimum distance of three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator.
· Be patient. Be aware that when a lane is too narrow for vehicles and bikes to travel safely side by side, a bicyclist may choose to ride in or near the center of that lane to discourage motorists from unsafe passing.
· Share the road. Sharing the road is a shared responsibility. Show common courtesy and respect to others.
TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS
· Go with the traffic flow. Ride on the right in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic. Go with the flow – not against it.
· Obey all traffic laws. Bicyclists must follow the same rules as vehicle operators on the roadway, including riding with the flow of traffic (not against traffic), yielding appropriately at intersections and driveways, and obeying all traffic control signs and signals. (CVC 21200)
· Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, not swerving in and out between parked cars. Signal your moves to motorists, other bicyclists, and pedestrians to let them know what to expect.
· Be visible. When you ride at night, you must have a white headlight and red lights or reflectors on the back of your bike, white or yellow reflector on each pedal or a bicyclist’s shoe or ankles, and side reflectors (unless the bicycle is equipped with reflectorized tires). (CVC 21201) Wearing reflective materials may help others see you.
· Stay alert at all times. Use your eyes and ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks, or anything that could make you lose control and fall. To be able to listen for dangerous situations, do not use headphones or earplugs in both ears while riding. (CVC 27400)
· Look before turning. When turning or changing lanes, always look behind you for a break in traffic, signal, and then check again before making the turn. As you approach intersections, be aware of the people behind, beside, and in front of you who may try to
· Look before turning. When turning or changing lanes, always look behind you for a break in traffic, signal, and then check again before making the turn. As you approach intersections, be aware of the people behind, beside, and in front of you who may try to cross your path. Watch out for left or right-turning traffic; these are the most frequent motorist-caused bicycle crashes.
· Watch for parked cars. Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (drivers may pull out in front of you or open a door in your path.)
· Give and get respect. Allow faster traffic to pass when it’s safe; avoid needlessly blocking the road.
