May 18, 2018 | By Greene Broillet & Wheeler
California law gives bicyclists the same rights to use the roadways as motor vehicle motorists. Many drivers, however, do not know the law and believe that bicyclists must yield to them.
Bicyclists face many threats on California roadways. Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris, can result in a serious injury or even death to a bike rider. Motor vehicle drivers, however, remain the biggest threat of all: California has some of the highest rates of bicycle accidents in the country, which is not surprising given the number of motor vehicles traveling on the state’s congested roadways. The California Department of Motor Vehicles estimates that more than 100 people are killed and thousands injured in motor vehicle-bicycle collisions each year.
Bicycle-car collisions commonly occur at intersections and may occur during lane changes, too, or when vehicles are entering traffic from private driveways or roads. The danger of these sorts of accidents increases at night, when bicyclists are less visible and are more likely to encounter a drunk driver.
Many drivers are unaware that bicycle riders’ right to use the road is protected by statute. As stated by the California Vehicle Code, “every person riding a bicycle upon a street or highway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.”
Another common misconception is that bicyclists must ride on the shoulder of the road. Bike riders may use the shoulder if they wish, but they are not required to. Additionally, bike riders are not required to use bike paths or trails or ride on sidewalks. California law does require, however, that cyclists ride as far as practicable to the right-hand curb when traveling on two-lane roads and moving at a slower speed than the rest of traffic.
Note that bicyclists who are moving at the same speed as traffic are not required to ride on the far right-hand side, but may ride in the middle of the lane of traffic if they so choose. However, this is not always the safest position on the road for a rider to have, even if it is legally permissible.
Many drivers believe that if the road has a designated bike lane, then bike riders must use it. Under California law, this is not the case. Bicyclists are only required to use a designated bike lane if they are moving at a slower speed than the rest of the traffic.
When bike riders are using the bike lane, they still have the right to merge into the regular traffic lane if they are overtaking or passing another bicycle or vehicle, are preparing to make a left-hand turn or it is reasonably necessary to move out of the bike lane in order to avoid debris or another hazardous condition.
While California bicyclists have many rights when riding on the road, they are also subject to several noteworthy restrictions:
While there is nothing a bicyclist can do to control the behaviors and actions of motorists, there are actions a bicyclist can take to minimize the possibility of being involved in an accident.
Cyclists should:
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, you may have legal options available to you. An attorney experienced in working with those who have been injured in bicycle accidents can review your case and help you choose the most appropriate action to take. Depending on your case, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages. Contact an experienced attorney for more information.