Traffic Laws for Bicyclists in Banning
Riding a bicycle around multi-ton motor vehicles on public roadways can be an unsettling experience, even if you and those other drivers act responsibly at all times. Unfortunately, it is far from rare for motor vehicle drivers to be anything but responsible around bicyclists, and if you were hurt in a wreck caused by such a reckless or careless driver, you have legal options that a skilled attorney can help you take full advantage of.
However, it is also important for you to stay in compliance with the law yourself while riding your bicycle, both to minimize your chances of crashing in the first place and to maximize your chances of successfully suing someone who negligently caused you to crash. With that in mind, here is a basic overview of important traffic laws for bicyclists in Banning, which you should be aware of, courtesy of the experienced bicycle injury lawyers at Walter Clark Legal Group.
Riding With Traffic
When riding on roadways open to motor vehicle traffic, California Vehicle Code §21650 requires bicyclists to ride as far to the right side of the paved surface as safely possible except when making a legal left turn, passing, or on a one-way street. If a street is not wide enough for motor vehicles and bicycles to ride safety side-by-side, bicyclists can “take the lane” and ride closer to the center of the riding surface in accordance with VEH §21202.
Using Bicycle Lanes and “Bikeways”
VEH §21208 requires bicyclists to always ride in designated bike lanes when they are available, except when making a legal left turn, passing, approaching a lawful right turn, or avoiding a roadway hazard. However, if a bike lane is a “separated bikeway” which is physically divided from motor vehicle traffic by any kind of barrier, it is no longer a “bike lane” subject to the aforementioned statute, so bicycle riders in Banning are not strictly required by state traffic laws to use them.
Staying Off Major Highways
As per VEH §21960, neither unpowered nor motorized bicyclists may be ridden on freeways and expressways. For example, riders in Banning specifically would be prohibited from riding on Interstate 10 or any ramp entering or exiting that interstate highway, but they generally would be allowed to ride on any other paved road within city limits.
Do Standard Motor Vehicle Traffic Laws Apply to Bicyclists?
In addition to the rules and regulations mentioned above, bicyclists in Banning and throughout the rest of the Golden State are generally subject to all the traffic laws applicable to motor vehicle drivers. This means, among many other things, that bicyclists must come to a complete stop at both stop signs and red lights, yield to oncoming traffic that has the right-of-way, and stay out of pedestrian infrastructure like crosswalks and sidewalks for the most part.
Learn More About Traffic Laws for Bicyclists from a Banning Attorney
Even if you follow all these traffic laws for bicyclists in Banning to the letter, you may still wind up seriously injured in a wreck that you were not at all to blame for. Fortunately, you can demand comprehensive compensation from anyone who injures you through their misconduct, and you have help available with doing so from compassionate legal counsel.
A bicycle injury lawyer from Walter Clark Legal Group can review your circumstances with you and offer preliminary guidance about recovery options during a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.
Riding a bicycle around multi-ton motor vehicles on public roadways can be an unsettling experience, even if you and those other drivers act responsibly at all times. Unfortunately, it is far from rare for motor vehicle drivers to be anything but responsible around bicyclists, and if you were hurt in a wreck caused by such a reckless or careless driver, you have legal options that a skilled attorney can help you take full advantage of.
However, it is also important for you to stay in compliance with the law yourself while riding your bicycle, both to minimize your chances of crashing in the first place and to maximize your chances of successfully suing someone who negligently caused you to crash. With that in mind, here is a basic overview of important traffic laws for bicyclists in Banning, which you should be aware of, courtesy of the experienced bicycle injury lawyers at Walter Clark Legal Group.
Riding With Traffic
When riding on roadways open to motor vehicle traffic, California Vehicle Code §21650 requires bicyclists to ride as far to the right side of the paved surface as safely possible except when making a legal left turn, passing, or on a one-way street. If a street is not wide enough for motor vehicles and bicycles to ride safety side-by-side, bicyclists can “take the lane” and ride closer to the center of the riding surface in accordance with VEH §21202.
Using Bicycle Lanes and “Bikeways”
VEH §21208 requires bicyclists to always ride in designated bike lanes when they are available, except when making a legal left turn, passing, approaching a lawful right turn, or avoiding a roadway hazard. However, if a bike lane is a “separated bikeway” which is physically divided from motor vehicle traffic by any kind of barrier, it is no longer a “bike lane” subject to the aforementioned statute, so bicycle riders in Banning are not strictly required by state traffic laws to use them.
Staying Off Major Highways
As per VEH §21960, neither unpowered nor motorized bicyclists may be ridden on freeways and expressways. For example, riders in Banning specifically would be prohibited from riding on Interstate 10 or any ramp entering or exiting that interstate highway, but they generally would be allowed to ride on any other paved road within city limits.
Do Standard Motor Vehicle Traffic Laws Apply to Bicyclists?
In addition to the rules and regulations mentioned above, bicyclists in Banning and throughout the rest of the Golden State are generally subject to all the traffic laws applicable to motor vehicle drivers. This means, among many other things, that bicyclists must come to a complete stop at both stop signs and red lights, yield to oncoming traffic that has the right-of-way, and stay out of pedestrian infrastructure like crosswalks and sidewalks for the most part.
Learn More About Traffic Laws for Bicyclists from a Banning Attorney
Even if you follow all these traffic laws for bicyclists in Banning to the letter, you may still wind up seriously injured in a wreck that you were not at all to blame for. Fortunately, you can demand comprehensive compensation from anyone who injures you through their misconduct, and you have help available with doing so from compassionate legal counsel.
A bicycle injury lawyer from Walter Clark Legal Group can review your circumstances with you and offer preliminary guidance about recovery options during a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.
