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Bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles and motorcycles drivers, including:
Jan 25, 2019
  • Obeying all traffic signs and signal lights.
  • Riding in the same directions as traffic.
  • Signaling when changing lanes or turning.
  • Yielding to pedestrians.
  • Wearing a helmet (if under 18 years old).
  • Allowing faster traffic to pass when safe.
  • Staying visible (e.g., never weave between parked vehicles).
  • Riding as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as practicable.
  • Not riding on the sidewalk, unless allowed by the city where you’re riding.
  • Making left and right turns in the same way drivers do,  using the same turn lanes.
  • If the bicyclist is traveling straight ahead, they should use through traffic lane rather than ride to the curb and block traffic making right turns.

Bicyclists shall not operate a bicycle on a roadway unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make a one-wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

Bicyclists have the right to operate on the road and may:

  • Lawfully be permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways where there is no alternate route and bicycling is not forbidden by a sign.
  • Move left to avoid hazards such as parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, animals or debris.
  • Choose to ride near the left curb or edge of a one-way street.

– California Driver Handbook 2018.

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