Q. Hi! I'm 16 years of old in California. I want to start riding my bike again, but I do NOT want to ride in the bike lane. Why? Because, to me it seems really dangerous. Just being that close to cars and being a lot smaller than they are seems to me a bad ending! I don't know. I want to know if it is illegal to ride my bike on the sidewalk if I was courteous to the people around me.
Please give me an answer! Thank you so much.
I did not like that answer about that lady dying. I have already looked up laws in my city about riding your bicycle on the sidewalk, and it didn't say anything. That's why I came to Yahoo Answers. lol
but there are hardly and people walking its mostly just cars.
Please give me an answer! Thank you so much.
I did not like that answer about that lady dying. I have already looked up laws in my city about riding your bicycle on the sidewalk, and it didn't say anything. That's why I came to Yahoo Answers. lol
but there are hardly and people walking its mostly just cars.
Answer
Generally cars aren't looking for anything on a sidewalk moving more than about 3-4 mph, there's often visual obstacles (trees, sign posts, etc) so you're likely to be invisible to cars that might turn into you. Going against the direction of traffic gives everybody a bit less time to react to anything going wrong and puts you on the side car drivers typically aren't looking in.
If it's legal on a specific block, I might ride slowly (5mph, 8mph tops) for a block on the sidewalk to get to a spot where I can get onto the road properly. But be extra-aware of all driveways and side streets. I might also ride on the sidewalk for under 10 feet when coming off of the road via a driveway or curb cut in order to stop and lock up my bike. Check your local laws
There is no statewide California law prohibiting operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, however California Vehicle Code Section 21206 allows local (county, city, etc) governments to regulate operation of bicycles on pedestrian facilities.
In other words, there is no California-wide answer to the legality. It may be illegal in the specific area you were riding, but legal on the next block over or legal on the other side of the street.
In the city I live in (in California), it's illegal in two defined "downtown" areas, but otherwise legal. In some cities it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk anywhere in the city.
Generally cars aren't looking for anything on a sidewalk moving more than about 3-4 mph, there's often visual obstacles (trees, sign posts, etc) so you're likely to be invisible to cars that might turn into you. Going against the direction of traffic gives everybody a bit less time to react to anything going wrong and puts you on the side car drivers typically aren't looking in.
If it's legal on a specific block, I might ride slowly (5mph, 8mph tops) for a block on the sidewalk to get to a spot where I can get onto the road properly. But be extra-aware of all driveways and side streets. I might also ride on the sidewalk for under 10 feet when coming off of the road via a driveway or curb cut in order to stop and lock up my bike. Check your local laws
There is no statewide California law prohibiting operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, however California Vehicle Code Section 21206 allows local (county, city, etc) governments to regulate operation of bicycles on pedestrian facilities.
In other words, there is no California-wide answer to the legality. It may be illegal in the specific area you were riding, but legal on the next block over or legal on the other side of the street.
In the city I live in (in California), it's illegal in two defined "downtown" areas, but otherwise legal. In some cities it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk anywhere in the city.
is it illegal to ride a bike with a helmet in the sidewalk?
Q.
Answer
Sidewalk riding rules vary by location. Every state has different laws and local city laws supersede state laws. It just depends on where you are. Often there is an exception for children under 12.
In general children under 12 are fine riding on the sidewalk and won't be ticketed unless it is in a crowded pedestrian area. For anyone older that 13 or so the best practice is to ride in the street with traffic - it's actually the safer place MOST of the time.
When on the sidewalk pedestrians have the right of way all the time. If you are in an area with lots of pedestrians you will probably get a ticket if you ride on the sidewalk.
Sidewalk riding rules vary by location. Every state has different laws and local city laws supersede state laws. It just depends on where you are. Often there is an exception for children under 12.
In general children under 12 are fine riding on the sidewalk and won't be ticketed unless it is in a crowded pedestrian area. For anyone older that 13 or so the best practice is to ride in the street with traffic - it's actually the safer place MOST of the time.
When on the sidewalk pedestrians have the right of way all the time. If you are in an area with lots of pedestrians you will probably get a ticket if you ride on the sidewalk.
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