In California, individual cities decide whether bicyclists are allowed on sidewalks. Riders should check local statutes to see if they are permitted to travel on sidewalks.
In places where sidewalk-riding is allowed, cyclists must be very careful when pedaling between pedestrians. They must act to keep those on foot safe from a collision with a bicycle. Pedestrians can be knocked down and even run over to suffer injuries.
Sidewalk Rules for Bicyclists in California Cities
The opinions over whether riding a bike on a sidewalk is safe can vary depending on who you ask. Some people believe it’s a good way to give riders a safer place to ride other than busy California streets. Others say that a bike on a sidewalk puts pedestrians at risk of injury.
California doesn’t have a statute that covers the rules for bicycle rides on sidewalks across the state. California allows local leaders to determine those rules according to Vehicle Code 21206. The legality of riding on sidewalks in California comes down to the decisions of City and County governments.
Checking in on the rules in some of the biggest cities in California shows how difficult it can be to determine where bikes are allowed on sidewalks and where they aren’t:
Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles allows cyclists to utilize sidewalks. It’s allowed as long as riders don’t demonstrate a ” … a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
Los Angeles County
For greater Los Angeles and the County, the answer is more complicated. Some cities in the county, like Long Beach, allow riding on some sidewalks and not others. In Santa Monica, riding on sidewalks is prohibited everywhere.
In unincorporated sections of Los Angeles County, the rules have recently changed. KTLA reports that Los Angeles County officials legalized riding on the sidewalk in 2023. The measure was passed in order to reduce bicycle collisions on county roads and to avoid discouraging the use of affordable transportation.
Fresno
Fresno city officials also allow riding on some sidewalks and restrict it on others. Riders must stay off sidewalks in the central business district and along streets designated as a mall street. City ordinance also prohibits bicycles from being parked or laid down in the path of pedestrians.
San Jose
The City of San Jose allows cyclists on most sidewalks. However, cyclists aren’t allowed on sidewalks in the downtown area. There are also parts of the city where posted signs will override a rider’s ability to legally take advantage of the sidewalk.
San Francisco
Leaders in San Francisco rely on age limits to decide who can use sidewalks. Children under 13-years-old are allowed to ride their bikes on sidewalks, but anyone 13 years old or older must stay off of the city’s sidewalks. In crosswalks, cyclists and riders must yield to pedestrians.
Keeping Cyclists Safe Across California
No matter your opinion on whether bicyclists should be allowed to use sidewalks or not, it’s important that everyone follows the established rules in each city and county. It’s a way to prevent accidents. When pedestrians are walking in areas where they aren’t expecting to meet cyclists, they can be caught by surprise and more likely to get struck by a bike.
And when riders are permitted to take advantage of the safety of a sidewalk, they must still take caution around those on foot.
If you are injured by someone’s carelessness while riding or while walking in California, please contact a skilled California pedestrian accident lawyer or California bicycle accident lawyer with Maison Law. Our skilled lawyers offer free consultation to all victims and take great pride in earning accident victims the maximum in compensation available for their recoveries.
