Traffic Laws for Bicyclists in Rancho Mirage

If you use the roads, you should obey the relevant rules. Traffic laws for bicyclists in Rancho Mirage are just as important as they are for drivers. Adherence to road rules is critical to keeping drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists as safe as possible.

If you were injured in an accident while riding a bicycle, the question of whether you adhered to the appropriate traffic laws could play a role in determining causation, liability, and damages in a lawsuit against a driver who struck you. A skilled bicycle accident attorney at Walter Clark Legal Group could assist you in addressing your legal concerns.

Where Cyclists Should Ride

Like car drivers, Rancho Mirage cyclists must follow all local and state traffic laws. Laws dictate where cyclists should ride their bikes on local roads. Bicyclists should always ride in the traffic direction. When cyclists can cycle as fast as the surrounding cars, they can ride their bikes wherever they choose and use an entire lane. However, when cyclists cannot remain in sync with the traffic flow, they need to obey specific rules regarding their location.

For instance, cyclists should not use the entire lane and ride as close to the right side of the road as possible. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Cyclists can move or veer away from the ride side of the road in the following circumstances:

• When they need to pass someone
• When they need to prepare for a left turn
• When they need to avert a hazard on the road
• If they are in a lane that is too narrow for a cyclist to share with a car
• If they need to avoid a mandatory right turn area

When a cycling lane is available, cyclists who cannot travel with traffic speed should use it, except when they are going to make a left turn or pass someone, avoid a road hazard, or are in an area where a vehicle may turn right.

Cyclists can also ride on sidewalks in many California cities and counties, provided they yield the right of way to pedestrians. A local bike-friendly attorney could assist an injured bicyclist in discussing the relevant traffic laws and determining if a driver violated them.

How Cyclists Should Ride

Bicyclists must obey rules that specify how to ride their bikes. Some of the more important traffic laws for cyclists are as follows:

• Obey traffic signals and stop signs
• Provide signals before turning or stopping to alert motorists
• Ride next to another biker if traveling in traffic and not impeding it
• Yield to pedestrians

Even if a Rancho Mirage bicyclist violates a traffic law, they might still be able to recover compensation against a motorist whose actions contributed to an accident. A seasoned personal injury lawyer could explain how comparative fault rules could enable an injured cyclist who shares some of the blame for an accident to collect a damages award that is reduced in proportion to their degree of fault.

Contact a Rancho Mirage Attorney To Learn More About Cycling Traffic Laws

Traffic laws for bicyclists in Rancho Mirage are essential to keep cyclists safe. However, motorists do not always recognize the rights of bicycle riders.

A bike-friendly lawyer from Walter Clark Legal Group who respects cyclists could help you work towards a favorable resolution of your legal claim. Call us today for a free initial consultation.