What Are California’s Bicycle Right-of-Way Laws?

Bicyclists and drivers share many of the same roads, but confusion about who has the right of way can lead to dangerous situations. In California, bicycles are generally treated as vehicles, meaning cyclists must follow many of the same traffic laws as drivers. However, there are additional rules involving bike lanes, passing distances, and where cyclists can ride. Understanding these laws can help you recognize when someone has failed to yield and what that might mean after an accident.

If you’ve been injured in a collision with a vehicle, determining who had the right of way can be an important part of your injury claim. At Younglove Law Group, we help injured cyclists throughout California pursue bicycle accident claims. Our attorneys can review the circumstances of your accident, explain which traffic laws may apply, and help you understand your options for seeking compensation.

Bicyclists Have the Same Rights and Duties as Drivers

The California DMV’s Driver’s Handbook explains that bicyclists share the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. That means bicyclists must obey traffic signs, signal lights, and basic right-of-way rules, ride in the same direction as traffic, and look over their shoulder before turning or changing lanes.

That equal status carries duties as well as protections. A bicyclist with the right-of-way can expect drivers to yield, while a bicyclist who runs a red light or rides against traffic can be assigned a share of the fault under California’s pure comparative fault rule, which can reduce the compensation the bicyclist recovers.

Where Bicyclists Can Ride in a Lane

Bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must ride as close to the right curb or edge of the road as practicable, unless one of the following applies.

• Passing: overtaking another vehicle or bicycle traveling in the same direction.
• Left turns: preparing to turn left.
• Hazards: avoiding a hazard or road condition.
• Narrow lanes: traveling in a lane too narrow to share side by side.
• Right turns: approaching a right turn.

When a bike lane is available, bicyclists should use it whenever possible, and drivers can enter that lane no more than 200 feet before starting a turn. Lane position also plays a role in preventing bicycle accidents in California, because a rider who stays visible gives drivers more time to react.

Crosswalks and Sidewalks

Bicyclists can walk their bikes through a crosswalk and follow the same rules as pedestrians. If they choose to ride through a crosswalk instead, they must still yield to pedestrians and follow applicable traffic laws.

Sidewalk riding rules vary throughout California. Some cities allow bicyclists to use sidewalks, while others restrict or prohibit it. Before riding on a sidewalk, cyclists should check local regulations and remain mindful of pedestrians sharing the space.

What Drivers Owe Bicyclists on the Road

Drivers must give bicyclists enough space to travel safely, especially when passing. California law generally requires drivers to change lanes when passing a cyclist if it’s safe to do so. When changing lanes isn’t possible, drivers must leave at least 3 feet of space between their vehicle and the bicycle. If they can’t maintain that distance, they must slow down and wait until they can pass safely. Drivers should also avoid crowding cyclists toward parked cars or opening doors.

Drivers must also watch for bicyclists when turning or changing lanes. This means checking blind spots, allowing cyclists enough room, and yielding to oncoming bicyclists when making left turns if they’re close enough to create a hazard. When a collision occurs during a turn or lane change, many of the same factors used to determine fault in a lane-change collision can help establish who was responsible.

How Right-of-Way Rules Shape a Bicycle Accident Claim

When a driver and bicyclist disagree about who had the right of way, evidence from the accident can help establish what happened. Dashcam footage, witness statements, and the location of the bicycle and vehicle after the collision may help determine who should have yielded and whether either party violated traffic laws.

The bicyclist’s actions may also factor into the claim. California requires riders under 18 to wear helmets, and riding without a helmet can affect a bicycle accident claim in certain circumstances. Insurance companies may also examine the driver’s lane position, turn signals, and other actions leading up to the crash. Photos of the scene, bicycle damage, and witness contact information can help provide a clearer picture of how the accident occurred.

Get Help With Your Bicycle Accident Claim at Younglove Law Group

When a driver or insurance company disputes who had the right of way, it can be difficult to know where you stand. At Younglove Law Group, our attorneys bring more than 20 years of combined experience to helping injured Californians pursue compensation. We can review the circumstances of your bicycle accident, examine how California’s traffic laws apply, and help you understand your legal options.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, we’re here to help. We offer free consultations 24/7, aim to respond the same day, and won’t charge attorney fees unless we win your case. Contact our office to discuss what happened and learn how we can help with your claim.