BIKE LAW 101: YOUR ROAD RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reflections on the rules for cyclists.

Did you ever wonder how many reflectors you really need to make your bike legal at night? Do you stay awake pondering the eternal question of whether or not riding on the sidewalk is allowed in your town?

Here's how to learn everything you always wanted to know about bike rules, but didn't know where to ask.

The rules vary by city, so your first step is to do get the Municipal Code for the city where you ride. Try an internet search, for example, for "City of Long Beach" and then look for a link to the municipal code. Once there, find the section(s) pertaining to bicycle rules.

CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE
You'll also need to know the relevant sections of the California Vehicle Code, or CVC. See highlights below or use the following link:

www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc_index_b.htm

and then scroll down the alphabetical list to "bicycles."

Or call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and ask for a copy of the CVC.

The LA Department of Transportation's Bicycle Sevices website has a lot of this information specific to the city.

You can find the rules for taking your bike on transit by going to:
www.bikemap.com/transit/losangeles.htm or call 1-800-Commute. If you still can't find what you're looking for, call the LA Department of Transportation Bicycle Program at 213-485-9957. The municipal code links for a few cities are listed here:

Culver City:
www.amlegal.com/culvercity_ca
look for chapter 7.04
or call 310-253-6500

Long Beach:
www.longbeach.gov/apps/cityclerk/lbmc/title-10/frame.htm
look for Chapter 10.48
or call 562-570-6555

Los Angeles:
lacodes.lacity.org/NXT/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm
or call 213-580-1177

Pasadena:
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/trans/tpd/bikeway/roadrules.pdf
or call 626-744-4000

Santa Clarita:
www.santa-clarita.com/cityhall/admin/code/Santa_Clarita_Municipal_Code/
Title_12/52/index.html
www.santa-clarita.com/cityhall/admin/code/Santa_Clarita_Municipal_Code/
Title_12/76/080.html
or call (661) 259-CITY (2489)

Remember that legal doesn't always equal safe. Be as visible as possible to motorists, with extra reflectors and lights. Wear a helmet. Use your head.

BICYCLES & THE LAW
Protect yourself: know your rights and responsibilities on the road.

CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE
Below are some crucial points of the CVC as it pertains to bicycles. For the complete text of the code, call the Department of Motor Vehicles at (800) 777-0133 or visit www.dmv.ca.gov.

Bicyclist Rights (CVC 21200) Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of vehicle drivers.

Alcohol and Drugs (CVC 21200.5) It is against the law to ride a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Equipment (CVC 21201 and 21204) Bicycles must be equipped with at least a brake which allows operators to execute to a wheelskid on dry, level, clean pavement. Handlebars must not be higher than the rider's shoulders. Bicycles must be small enough for the rider to stop, support it with one foot on the ground, and restart safely. At night bicycles must be equipped with a white headlight or white light attached to the rider and visible from the front. Bicycles must also have a rear red reflector and white or yellow pedal reflectors. There must be a white or yellow reflector on the front of the bicycle visible from the side, and a red or white reflector on the rear of the bicycle visible from the side. Each rider must have a permanent, regular seat. Bicycle passengers under 40 lbs. must have a seat which retains them in place and protects them from moving parts.

Use of the Roadway (CVC 21202) Bicycles traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except: when passing another bicycle or vehicle, when preparing for a left turn, and when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. Such conditions may include: fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes - a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. Bicyclists on a one-way road with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.

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

Bicycle Lane Use (CVC 21208) Bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use bike lanes except when making a left turn, passing, or avoiding hazardous conditions.

Helmets (CVC 21212) Bicyclists and passengers under age 18 must wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet when a passenger or riding upon a bicycle.

Direction of Travel (CVC 21650) Bicyclists must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic.

Freeways (CVC 21960) Bicyclists may not ride on the freeways where prohibited.

Hand Signals (CVC 22111) In addition to hand signals indicating turning or stopping which must be given from the left side, a bicyclist may indicate a right turn by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.

Head Phones (CVC 27400) Bicyclists may not wear earplugs in both ears or a headset covering both ears, except hearing aids.

MOTORISTS AND BICYCLISTS
Does it seem like drivers are completely uneducated about your rights to the road? The California Department of Motor Vehicles handbook states the following rules pertaining to automobiles and bicycles:

BICYCLES
Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Bicyclists are part of the normal traffic flow and are entitled to share the road with other drivers. Drivers must:
- look carefully for bicyclists before opening doors next to moving traffic or before turning right.
- safely merge toward the curb or into the bike lane.
- not overtake a bicyclist just before making a right turn. Merge first, then turn.

BICYCLE LANES
A bicycle lane is shown by a solid white line along either side of the street, four or more feet from the curb. The white line will usually be broken near the corner and the words "BIKE LANE" will be painted in the lane. When you are making a right turn and are within 200 feet of the corner or other driveway entrance, you must enter the bike lane for the turn. Do not drive in the bike lane at any other time. Pedestrians are not allowed in bike lanes when sidewalks are available. Drivers of motorized bicycles should use bike lanes carefully to avoid accidents with bicyclists. When passing a bicyclist, pass on the left. If you are in a narrow traffic lane, wait until the traffic clears in the opposite lane before passing a bicyclist. Do not squeeze past the bicyclist.