The purpose of this information is to explain traffic laws that allow bicyclists and motor vehicles to share the road. Safe bicycling involves more than wearing the proper safety equipment and keeping your bike in good mechanical order - you must also learn the rules of the road. Bicyclists riding upon any street have all the rights and responsibilities of motor vehicle drivers. Here are just a few of the important traffic laws to keep in mind when riding your bicycle:
Bicyclists are required to obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. This includes riding on the right-hand side of the road, stopping at stop signs, obeying traffic signals, and yielding to pedestrians crossing. Bicyclists should operate their bicycle as if they were a motor vehicle on the road. This includes using hand signals and making turns from the appropriate lane. If a cyclist is not comfortable riding according to the rules of the road, the cyclist should dismount their bicycle and walk his/her bicycle using pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks and crosswalks.
Bicycling on the wrong side of the street, against traffic, is one of the most dangerous traffic violations a bicyclist can make. Approximately 1/3 of all car-bike accidents involve wrong way cyclists. Riding with the flow of vehicular traffic is for the safety of the bicyclists because it increases the motorists' ability to see bicyclists. Motorists do not expect traffic (auto or bicycles) coming from the opposite direction and therefore, may not see a bicyclists riding in the wrong direction. The solution to the common cause of accidents is to ride with the flow of traffic.
In the City of Livermore, bicycles are allowed on the sidewalks in residential areas only. It is against the law to ride on the sidewalk in a business or commercial district, unless otherwise posted. The mix of bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk can create conflicts. Sidewalks are designed for pedestrian use, and bicycles travel faster and cannot always avoid hitting pedestrians. In addition, motorists coming out of driveways are not expecting bicyclists on sidewalks. Crosswalks are designed as pedestrian facilities and if a cyclist chooses to cross the street in a crosswalk, he/she should dismount and walk their bicycle in the crosswalk. The solution to a common cause of accidents is to avoid riding on the sidewalk and walk bicycles across the street when in a crosswalk.
It is mandated under California State Law that children under 18 are required to wear an approved and properly fitted safety helmet. This also applies to children riding in trailers or bicycle carriers. Although adults are not required to wear them, it is highly recommended that adults also wear helmets.
It is mandated under California State Law that bicycles have the appropriate equipment for operation in the public right of way. The appropriate equipment includes the following: