Understanding California Bicycle Laws: What Cyclists Need to Know

Understanding California Bicycle Laws: What Cyclists Need to Know

• September 28, 2025
• Categories: Personal Injury

California maintains a robust series of laws and regulations governing bicycle use throughout the state. These regulations are designed to ensure cyclist safety while promoting bicycling as a viable, alternative transportation option. If you’re a bike rider, it’s important to distinguish between state and local bike regulations, because California maintains a state/local patchwork approach to rules governing bicycle use.

The California Vehicle Code (CVC) establishes the primary regulatory framework for bicycles in the state. Under California law, bicycles are legally classified as vehicles, just like cars, trucks and SUVs. This means cyclists are subject to many of the same rules and responsibilities as motorists, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights.  (However, unlike motor vehicles, bicyclists are generally prohibited from riding on bridges and highways unless local ordinances say otherwise.) The “vehicle” classification for bicycles forms the foundation of California’s approach to bike regulation.

California Statutes and Rules for Bicycles

Some of the most important California bicycle laws include the following (check local municipality rules for any additions or exceptions):

Right-Side Riding

Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic flow and position themselves on the right side of the road. The law specifically prohibits riding against traffic on one-way streets, requiring cyclists to dismount and walk their bicycles on sidewalks in such situations. This requirement reduces the risk of head-on collisions, which often result in severe injuries.

When traveling at the same speed as surrounding traffic, cyclists may occupy a full lane. However, when moving slower than traffic, bicyclists must ride as close as reasonably practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.  This provision balances cyclists’ right to road access with the need to maintain efficient traffic flow.

Exceptions to Right-Side Riding

California law recognizes several important exceptions to the right-side riding requirement, allowing cyclists to “take the lane” under specific circumstances. These exceptions include overtaking and passing another cyclist, preparing for a left turn, and avoiding unsafe conditions, as in as dodging a large pothole or encountering pedestrians walking in the roadway.

Bike Lane Requirements

When dedicated bicycle lanes are present, bicyclists moving slower than traffic must use these lanes. However, cyclists may exit bike lanes after determining it is safe to do so, provided they give the appropriate hand or turn signal.

Pedestrian Interactions

Cyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks, even when pedestrians fail to use marked crossings. This requirement recognizes the vulnerability of pedestrians and places a higher duty of care on cyclists who, though vulnerable themselves when compared to motor vehicles, can cause injury to pedestrians in collisions.

The Three Feet for Safety Act

A significant protection for cyclists came into effect on September 16, 2014, with the Three Feet for Safety Act (California Vehicle Code section 21760). This law requires motorists to provide at least three feet of clearance when passing bike riders on the road. The act also provides mechanisms for law enforcement to enforce safe passing practices.  This explicit distance requirement creates a clearer standard for driver behavior around cyclists.

Electric Bicycle Regulations in California

California treats electric bicycles somewhat differently than regular pedal bikes. The state has established specific regulations for e-bikes through Assembly Bill No. 1096 (AB 1096). This legislation classifies e-bikes into three distinct categories and establishes rules for each.

E-Bike Classifications

California law defines an electric bicycle as a bike with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of up to 750 watts. The three classifications are:

1. Type 1 (Class I): Pedal-assisted e-bikes with motors that assist only when the rider is pedaling and stop providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
2. Type 2 (Class II): E-bikes equipped with throttle-actuated motors that can propel the bicycle without pedaling, up to 20 mph.
3. Type 3 (Class III): Pedal-assisted e-bikes with motors that assist only when the rider is pedaling and stop providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph.

E-Bike Operation Requirements

E-bikes in California must not exceed 750 watts of power, and their motors must disengage when brake functions are applied. They must also feature a switch or mechanism that, when released, causes motors to stop. These technical requirements ensure e-bikes remain distinct from more powerful motorized vehicles like Vespa scooters and lightweight motorcycles.

E-bike users must follow the same rules of the road as conventional cyclists, including following speed limits, safely passing other vehicles, and yielding to pedestrians. However, unlike motorcycles or mopeds, e-bike users do not need a driver’s license, registration, or insurance.

Age restrictions vary by e-bike classification. The minimum age for operating a Type 3 e-bike is 16 years old, but there are no minimum age restrictions for Types 1 and 2.  Additionally, Type 3 e-bike users must wear helmets regardless of age, whereas helmet requirements for Types 1 and 2 apply only to riders under 18 years old.

E-Bike Access to Bikeways

Access to different types of bikeways varies by e-bike classification. California classifies bikeways into different categories, including:

1. Class 1 Bike Paths: Off-road paths for the exclusive use of bicyclists and pedestrians. Only Type 1 and Type 2 e-bikes are permitted on these paths.
2. Class 2 Bike Lanes: Protected one-way bike lanes on streets and highways.

State vs. Local Bicycle Laws

While California’s Vehicle Code establishes a statewide framework for bicycle regulations, local municipalities retain authority to create and enforce additional bicycle ordinances. This dual-level regulatory approach allows communities to address unique local conditions and concerns.

Perhaps the most significant area of local variation concerns sidewalk riding. The California Vehicle Code does not explicitly prohibit sidewalk cycling, instead it defers to local municipalities to establish their own regulations. This has resulted in a patchwork of rules across the state. For example, in Los Angeles, bicyclists may ride on sidewalks unless they exhibit “willful” or “wanton” behavior that endangers others. In contrast, San Francisco prohibits sidewalk riding except for cyclists under age 13. In San Diego County, regulations vary considerably from city to city, with some cities allowing sidewalk riding except in business districts, while others prohibit it entirely. For this reason, bicyclists should acquaint themselves with local bike ordinances to avoid potential citations and fines.

Bicycle Injuries and Fatalities in California

California consistently ranks among the states with the highest bicycle accident rates. California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) data reveals a yearly average of 9,218 bicycle accidents statewide over a recent five-year period. On average, about 160 bicyclists are killed in California collisions each year, and approximately 11,000 bicyclists are injured. About 25% of these injuries and deaths occurred in Los Angeles County. Roughly 20% of all bike rider fatalities occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., suggesting increased risk during evening hours when daylight fades and bicyclists are harder to see. Urban areas account for 71% of all bike rider deaths, most often occurring at non-intersection areas of roadways. California’s bicyclist fatality rate of approximately 3.92 per million residents is 33% higher than the national average across the U.S.

Why Choose Neale & Fhima to Represent You in a Bike Injury Claim

If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed in a bicycle collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Neale & Fhima, our bicycle accident lawyers have more than 40 years of combined experience in handling personal injury cases in California. We know the complexities of the law, especially as it relates to bicycle and e-bike regulations, and we use this knowledge to pursue the highest payout possible for your claim. Unlike many high-volume law firms, our personal injury attorneys don’t treat people like a number on a case file. We care about our clients and treat them like family. We’re transparent and will explain to you the legal process and estimated value of your claim before you make a decision about hiring us. We have countless satisfied clients who refer friends and family to our law firm.

Contact Our Bicycle Attorneys Today for Aggressive Representation

At Neale & Fhima, we have an outstanding record of success, winning 99% of the personal injury cases we handle. Our law firm has recovered more than $50 million in rightful compensation for victims throughout California. You will find our legal staff to be professional, compassionate, and caring. We believe in open communication, and we’ll keep you informed about the progress of your claim throughout the legal process. You don’t have to face this difficult experience alone. For a free consultation about your case, call us at 888-407-2955.