California has no laws that restrict riding on sidewalks. The state allows cities to decide on the local level where riders can travel. Most cities allow riders to use sidewalks in many areas, with some exceptions, as long as they yield to pedestrians.
Those cities often restrict bicycles in certain busy areas, such as the downtown retail sections.
California Cities that Allow Riding on the Sidewalk
Some cities restrict adult bicycle riders on sidewalks, but allow children under a certain age to hop on sidewalks with their bikes.
Here’s a look at some of the local sidewalk laws in certain California cities:
- Los Angeles – Riders can ride on sidewalks.
- Los Angeles County – Generally, riders in unincorporated parts of the county can ride on sidewalks. Cities in L.A. County can decide where riders can use sidewalks. In Long Beach, riding on the sidewalk is okay. In Santa Monica, bicyclists aren’t allowed on any sidewalks except on certain shared-use paths, such as the beach bike path.
- San Diego – Riders can use sidewalks in most residential areas. They must not ride on sidewalks in business districts. There’s further guidance in the city’s municipal code 84.09 Bicycle Riding Restricted
- San Jose – Cyclists can use most sidewalks except in some downtown areas.
- San Francisco and Oakland – Adults are not allowed to ride on sidewalks, but children under 13 are permitted on sidewalks.
- Fresno – Cycling is allowed on sidewalks in much of the city. But in parts of downtown and along mall streets, riding on the sidewalk is forbidden. Fresno’s Code of Ordinances 14-1703. explains off-limit areas further.
- Bakersfield – Allows riders to use sidewalks in many places. They are not allowed to use sidewalks in the central traffic district and/or Old Town Kern. They must not ride sidewalks near city buildings. The prohibited areas are laid out in Bakersfield Municipal Code 52.010 Restrictions on use.
- Modesto – Riders are generally allowed to ride on sidewalks in Modesto, except in business districts.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Getting in an Accident on a Sidewalk?
If you are a pedestrian struck by a bicyclist or a rider struck by a careless driver, and your injuries are serious, it’s a good idea to talk over your case with a skilled California bicycle accident lawyer.
A skilled lawyer can help you prove who was at fault in your accident, especially when insurers would rather pin the blame on you. Maison Law can also fight to earn you the most in a settlement check possible. This is often much more than you could win by taking on insurance adjusters yourself.
Maison Law offers a free case consultation to all California accident victims. There’s no obligation, but if you end up needing our help with your case, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll afford a lawyer. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. That means we only get paid if we win your case. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurance company must write for you.
