California Vehicle Code - Bicycle Relevant Sections: Difference between revisions
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The '''California Vehicle Code''' is an official [[drivers]] [[safety]] [[guide]] maintained by the ''Department of Motor Vehicles'' to ensure those on the road are driving as they should. | The '''California Vehicle Code''' is an official [[drivers]] [[safety]] [[guide]] maintained by the ''[[Department of Motor Vehicles]]'' to ensure those on the road are driving as they should. | ||
== Bicycle Relevant Sections == | == Bicycle Relevant Sections == | ||
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* [http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21212.htm Helmets] | * [http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21212.htm Helmets] | ||
One of the most important passages (21202 (a)) relates to the | One of the most important passages (21202 (a)) relates to the [[road]]way position that a [[bicycle]] should take. This is commonly misunderstood to mean that a bicycle must [[travel]] as far as ''possible'' to the right-hand side of the road. Indeed the CVC [[synopsis]] carried by [[police office|patrolmen]] in most of the Police Divisions of [[Los Angeles, California]] (where it is obtained from the [[uniform shop]] in [[Long Beach]]) actually carries incorrect wording, substituting ''possible'' for ''practicable''. The [[combination]] of the actual [[legal]] wording of 21202(a) and the proviso in 21202(a)(3) mean that there is ample justification to ''take a lane'' as recommended by the safe [[cycling]] practices of [[Effective_Cycling]]. | ||
== Operation on Roadway == | == Operation on Roadway == | ||
21202. A. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: | 21202. A. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a [[speed]] less than the normal speed of [[traffic]] moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand [[curb]] or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: | ||
# When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. | # When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. | ||
# When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. | # When preparing for a left turn at an [[intersection]] or into a private road or [[driveway]]. | ||
# When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. | # When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. | ||
# When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. | # When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. | ||
Revision as of 04:07, 12 July 2005
The California Vehicle Code is an official drivers safety guide maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure those on the road are driving as they should.
Bicycle Relevant Sections
The portions relevant to the operator of a bicycle in 2004 are as follows:
One of the most important passages (21202 (a)) relates to the roadway position that a bicycle should take. This is commonly misunderstood to mean that a bicycle must travel as far as possible to the right-hand side of the road. Indeed the CVC synopsis carried by patrolmen in most of the Police Divisions of Los Angeles, California (where it is obtained from the uniform shop in Long Beach) actually carries incorrect wording, substituting possible for practicable. The combination of the actual legal wording of 21202(a) and the proviso in 21202(a)(3) mean that there is ample justification to take a lane as recommended by the safe cycling practices of Effective_Cycling.
Operation on Roadway
21202. A. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
- When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
- When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
- When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
- When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
B. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable. Amended Sec. 4, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.
External Links
Availability
The California Vehicle Code is available online through the Department of Motor Vehicles as either a webpage (html) or a pdf.
This is a vital section for anyone using a bicycle for travel in Los Angeles.