Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Club

Choices May Bring Consequences

• http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm
     – This is the California Vehicle Code.
• http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc_index_b.htm
     – CVC index for everything that starts with a "B". The codes that directly apply to bicycling are here.
• http://www.bicyclelaw.com
     – Bob Mionske's website. Bob is a former Olympic and professional cyclist, with a law practice that is exclusively focused on representing cyclists. Info is usually correct and very helpful.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_law_in_California
     – Interesting site with lots of information on how different sections of the CVC affects bicyclist. Note that Wikipedia is not always entirely accurate, as the general public contributes to it.

Samples of the Code for Cyclists

These are to be used only as a guideline. For more information consult the California Vehicle Code and/or an attorney.

21200 – Bicycle Rights of Riders

Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle. (careful: does not apply to children).

21202 – Keep to the Right

Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under the following situations:

• When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
• When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
• When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard-width lanes), that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. (For purpose of this section, a substandard-width lane is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.)
• (When the roadway) carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, (the cyclist) may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway as practicable.

21203 – Hitching Rides on Vehicles

No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any streetcar or vehicle on the roadway.

One more page