This video clarifies the most misunderstood parts of the California Vehicle Code pertaining to bicyclists rights to the roadway. CVC 21202 is written to make you think bicyclists must hug the edge, until you understand the exceptions invalidate the rule in most places. CVC 21208 requires bike lane use, but also offers numerous exceptions.

California Vehicle Code 21202

This video and page are sponsored by Orange County Bicycle Coalition for the benefit of all California bicyclists.

(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:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

Comment: “As far right as practicable” means “as far right as reasonable and safe,” not “as far right as possible.” While California law requires bicyclists traveling slower than other traffic to ride as far right as practicable, it also provides several exceptions, and at least one usually applies. This CVC 21202 flowchart outlines the exceptions, any of which authorizes bicyclists to use the full lane.

California Vehicle Code 21208

(a) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that the person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

(b) No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 22100) in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement.

Comment: While California law requires bicyclists traveling slower than other traffic to use provided bike lanes (called Class 2 Bikeways), it also provides several exceptions to this requirement. The CVC 21208 flowchart above outlines these exceptions, any of which permits bicyclists to use the general travel lane instead of the bike lane.

Class IV Bikeways

There are no laws in California requiring bicyclists to use bikeways separated from motor vehicles instead of the nearest public roadway. These include separated bikeways on their own right-of-way (Class 1 Bikeways) and bikeways separated from adjacent motor traffic by a physical barrier (Class 4 Bikeways). Class 4 Bikeways are also referred to as physically separated bikeways or cycle tracks, and are sometimes imprecisely described as “protected bike lanes.” They are not bike lanes and are not subject to CVC21208.

Riding Side-by-Side

Despite what some people believe, there is no law in California limiting the number of bicyclists who may ride side-by-side in a traffic lane. Riding double is often safer and a shorter group of cyclists is easier for motorists to pass. To learn more about group riding and the advantages and restrictions of riding side-by-side, see the free Club Rider Essentials Course.