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Whether you are completing a ten-mile loop or just riding through a Fresno neighborhood with your children, all cyclists should feel safe when they hop on a bike.
Unfortunately, when bicyclists must ride alongside traffic, or cross busy streets, cyclists are at extreme risk.
Maison Law of Fresno wanted to go over the locations of the safest routes through the city, including the whereabouts of the latest protected bike lanes to be installed.
We also wanted to offer a refresher for local motorists on the state and city laws in place to protect riders.
KSEE-TV reported in 2023 that there were around 11 miles of protected bicycle lanes across Fresno. The mileage on safe routes continues to grow.
The newest additions are these “separated” bike lanes that line several roads in Fresno. Protected bike lanes are officially called Class IV Bike Lanes. They separate riders from traffic with plastic cones and other barriers.
These are just some of the routes that are home to Fresno bike lanes:
Wishon Avenue – Class IV Protected Bike Lane
Selland Avenue – Class IV Protected Bike Lane
Van Ness Avenue – Class IV Protected Bike Lane
Barstow Avenue – Class IV Protected Bike Lane
Palm Avenue – Class IV Protected Bike Lane
Dewey Avenue – Class IV Protected Bike Lane
You can check out a map provided by the City of Fresno here. Be aware that some newer bike paths and Class IV upgrades are not represented on the map yet.
Motorists and cyclists should be familiar with the different bike path signs around the city. These can be quick reminders of where bicyclists should ride and the right-of-way motorists should observe.
Here are a few of the signs you’ll see along Fresno streets:
Bike Lane Sign
Bike Route Sign
Share the Road Bicycle Sign
Bikes May Use Full Lane Sign
Turning Vehicles Yield to Bicycle
Fresno has worked to provide all types of bikeways. Some take riders through scenic routes that are away from the rush of traffic. Other bike lanes help riders navigate the busy network of roads around Fresno to get to work, to school, or just to get some exercise.
These are the four different types of bikeways you’ll find around our city:
Class I Bikeway – Bike paths and trails where cars aren’t allowed. These trails and walkways may be “multi-use” paths that are shared with pedestrians. This would include routes like the Sugar Pine Trail from Nees Avenue and along Shepherd Avenue.
Class II Bike Lanes – Bike lanes along the right sides of streets that are only indicated by white lines on the road surface. These paths should also have the occasional white bike symbol on the lane and bike path street signs above.
Class III Bike Routes – Bike lanes are merged with vehicle lanes when there’s not enough room for separate bike lanes. Riders and motorists share the road. Class III lanes are often on low-speed-limit roads and usually only go short stretches. Riders may see these lanes approaching an intersection when drivers and bicyclists must share a right-hand turn lane. Class III bike lanes will have bike route signs posted. They’ll have bike symbols painted on the traffic lane and arrows on the road to remind motorists they must share the road. The arrows also indicate where cyclists should try to ride while in the lane. These visual reminders are often referred to as “sharrows,” a word formed by combining share & arrows.
Class IV Bike Lanes – Also known as separated bicycle lanes. The lanes will be blocked off from traffic with painted, buffered space and/or physical barriers protecting cyclists. Riders can be separated from traffic by cement barriers, planter boxes, parking spaces, and plastic pylons/bollards. Green and white bollards can be seen lining many Fresno Class IV bike lanes such as those on Barstow Avenue. Some sections also include green paint along the paths.
California has many vehicle codes written and passed to protect cyclists of all ages. Those codes apply to Fresno roads too. Fresno also adds some guidelines for riders and drivers in our city (see below).
The most important state law is the one that offers the most protection to riders who ride in the street with traffic. It’s the California Vehicle Code that grants riders the same access to the road as any driver.
CVC 21200 Cyclists’ Right to the Road
“(a) (1) A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle…”
CVC 21202 Use of Bike Lanes
Cyclists have a right to the full lane, but only if they can keep up with traffic. When they can’t, people on bikes are required to utilize a bike lane if available. If there is no bike lane, they should remain on the far right-hand side of the right lane.
AB 1909 Motorist Must Pass in Left Lanes
Passed in California in 2022, this new law offers additional protections to bicyclists who must travel alongside vehicles. It requires Fresno motorists to switch to the left lane if possible when trying to pass a cyclist. You can find more information about the law change here.
CVC 21760 Three Feet for Rider Safety
When the left lane isn’t open, drivers must observe California’s “Three Feet for Safety” Law. It requires motorists to allow at least three feet of space when passing. If there isn’t at least 3 feet of space to be had, motorists shouldn’t try to pass.
The cyclist also gets the right of way when the driver is ready to make a right turn. The driver must yield to any cyclist traveling beside them and in the right lane before turning.
CVC 21212 California’s Bicycle Helmet Law. Riders under 18 years old must wear an approved safety helmet. Adult riders don’t have to wear a helmet, but it’s an incredible safety precaution that all cyclists should consider. More on California’s Bicycle Helmet Laws.
Additional Information on Local Bicycle Laws
2024 Bicycle Intersection Crossing Law
California Electric Bicycle Laws
Do California Cyclists Have to Stop at Stop Signs?
Do Motorists Have the Right Of Way Over California Cyclists?
Rear Red Reflector Law for California Cyclists
2024 Bike Crossing Intersection Law
Bicycle Tips for New Cyclists in California
Who Is To Blame When a Child on a Bike is Hit?
What If a Dog Knocks Me Off My Bike?
Fresno enforces a few other additions to California law regarding safe bicycle rides in the city. The City Code of Ordinances ARTICLE 17 – REGULATIONS FOR BICYCLES goes over some of the additional responsibilities.
SEC. 14-1703. – RIDING ON SIDEWALKS.
“(a) No person shall operate a bicycle or unicycle on a sidewalk in the central business district, or on any street designated as a mall street by the provisions of this code…”
According to Article 17, Fresno bicyclists should also follow these local ordinances:
Fresno Cyclists Have a Speed Limit
SEC. 14-1704. – SPEED.
“No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing and in no event at a speed greater than the prima facie speed limit applicable to motor vehicles.”
California defines a bicycle as a device that any person may ride, and is propelled exclusively by human power through a belt, chain, or gears and having one or more wheels.
CVC 21201 and 21204 – All bicycles in Fresno must be equipped with the following:
Some riders appreciate an assist when riding the streets of Fresno. E-bikes offer a combination of pedal power and engine thrust to help riders keep up with traffic.
Some cyclists purchase their own e-bikes, but Fresno has also partnered with Clean Shared Mobility Network to provide hundreds of rideshare E-Bikes for use by all residents.
It’s important that anyone who rides an E-bike knows how they differ from regular bikes and the different laws that apply.
Here’s a rundown of the basic laws E-bike riders should be informed of:
For more information on the classes of e-bikes and other regulations visit our page on Fresno E-bike accident dangers.
Vision Zero is a program used in cities nationwide and in cities across California. The initiative involves a multi-year strategy to reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities among motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Cities come together to design a long-term plan to improve safety for anyone who uses streets and highways.
By the end date, the goal is to reduce traffic fatalities and severe injuries to zero. Local government and community leaders, including bicycle coalition members, all contribute to making Vision Zero a reality. The plans can include reducing lanes and closing streets to motorists. The campaign usually involves the addition of safety improvements at intersections and the installation of more bike lanes.
Unfortunately, Fresno has never undertaken a Vision Zero initiative. However, recent funding has set our city on the path to enact Vision Zero benchmarks.
In 2023, KSEE-TV reported that Fresno had received a $400,000 grant to improve road safety around the city. Fresno’s Public Works Department was tasked with developing a Vision Zero Action Plan.
Progress continues as of late 2024. The first Vision Zero Taskforce Meeting was held on September 23. Additional meetings to inform and get input from the public are expected to start in November and continue into 2025.
You can read our article on the latest developments on Fresno’s Vision Zero project for more information.
As planning ramps up for Vision Zero, some long-term goals will definitely be on the table. Bicycle advocate groups like The Fresno County Bicycle Coalition (FCBC) will play a large role in how Fresno will adapt and change to reduce accidents.
The Chair for the FCBC, Anthony Molina, believes that short-term achievements are also attainable by continuing on with other local initiatives started in the past several years.
“For the short term, to get more people riding bikes, we need to emphasize creating connected networks that bicyclists can depend on to be safe and comfortable, especially on those streets that were designated to be part of a so-called “high priority ATP (Active Transportation Plan) network” that has yet to be built out since it was conceived in 2017.”
“One low cost way to achieve this is through the use of so-called “quick build” projects using non-permanent materials, especially paint and bollards (usually flex posts) that rely on “tactical urbanist” approaches that can be evaluated for success or further modification and even removed.”
Bike Clubs are a great place to meet other pedal-minded people just like you. Fresno has several great clubs and coalitions to choose from. You can take safer rides when you partner up with friends or a riding team around the city. After a ride, you can meet up and eat and drink with some great new friends.
You’ll love the annual events these clubs put together and sponsor. You can volunteer to help organize events like the Climb to Kaiser race in the Sierra Nevada Mountains each year. If you’re brave, you can even participate.
Bike clubs also do exceptional work in helping make Fresno’s streets safer for all riders. They work with local government departments to continue the progress on bike lanes and intersection improvements.
You can get more information about what Bicycle Clubs offer and how to join on our Fresno Bicycle Riding Clubs page.
California Law empowers bicycle accident victims to hold reckless drivers responsible. But the support you need won’t be awarded automatically. You’ll have to prove the driver was to blame, and the motorist could falsely claim you were at fault. A giant car insurance company may back up the policyholder’s false claims, simply to get out of having to provide you with financial help.
If you are in a collision and somehow only come out with minor bumps and bruises and/or just bicycle damage, you may not need a lawyer’s help with your case.
But if you suffer a serious injury, like a broken ankle or a head injury, the protection a Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyer provides may be critical to receiving everything you need to fully recover.
These are just some of the safeguards a bicycle accident attorney provides:
At Maison Law, we are advocates for cyclists across Fresno County. We work with local Bicycle groups to help promote safe rides. We also sponsor local bicycle safety events. We also rush to the aid of riders when they are hurt by the careless actions of drivers.
Our Fresno Bicycle Accident Lawyers provide free, no-obligation consultations to victims who are seriously hurt in collisions. We also offer free case reviews to families who have lost a loved one in a tragic bicycle accident that could have been prevented.
This website contains legal information that is available to the general public. The content on this website is not legal advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Anyone seeking legal advice should retain an attorney. Use of this website in any manner, including but not limited to chat or contact form submissions, does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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