There are so many beautiful spots in Orange County to ride a bike. Between the scenery and the nearly-always idyllic weather conditions, it is not surprising that so many Orange County residents and tourists choose to pedal across the county instead of always traveling by motor vehicle or on foot. Unfortunately, Orange County isn’t always a safe place to ride. Both roads and paved pathways tend to be overrun by motor vehicles and pedestrians, respectively. Additionally, there isn’t always funding available to properly maintain roadways and paths that bike riders and cyclists use regularly. Finally, calls to “share the road” with cyclists too often fall on the selectively deaf ears of Orange County motorists. As a result, bicycle accidents happen frequently in this area of Southern California. And when they do occur, these accidents tend to cause significant injuries.
If you have been injured while riding a bike, the chances are very good that you were not solely responsible for the physical harm you’ve suffered. Unlike drunk, drugged, thoroughly distracted, and aggressive driving behaviors – which are far too commonly embraced by motorists – most bike riders and cyclists are attentive and safety conscious; if only because they risk
catastrophic injury if they behave negligently or recklessly even for an instant. As a result, even if you believe that you are partially or mostly responsible for the injurious circumstances that led to your injuries, you should spend an hour or two of your time attending a free, no-risk consultation appointment with our experienced legal team. As California protects the rights of injury victims broadly – including those who are partially responsible for their injuries – you have nothing to lose and potentially a great deal to gain by exploring your legal options at this time.
The most important law governing cyclists on the road is California Vehicle Code § 21200. This section of California Vehicle Code will layout most of the applicable rules for operating your bicycle on California roads.
Using the bicycle lane. On a roadway with a bike lane, bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use the bike lane except when making a left turn, passing, avoiding hazardous conditions, or approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. California Vehicle Code § 21208. In the event that an accident occurs in the bicycle lane, it will be important to collect as much information and witness statements to establish who is liable. The location of vehicles within a bicycle lane is often disputed by insurance companies.
Roadway: Bicyclists can ride wherever they want if they’re traveling at the speed of traffic. If traveling slower than the speed of traffic, they can still position themselves wherever in the lane is necessary for safety. The law says that people who ride bikes must ride as close to the right side of the road as safely practicable except under the following conditions: when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized California Vehicle Code § 21202
Bicycle lanes: On a roadway with a bike lane, bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use the bike lane except when making a left turn, passing, avoiding hazardous conditions, or approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. California Vehicle Code § 21208
Riding with traffic.
When riding your bike must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic. There are however exceptions such as when you are passing, making a legal left turn, riding on a one-way street, riding on a road that is too narrow, or when the right side of the road is closed due to road construction.
California Vehicle Code § 21650
Under CA law, a scooter does NOT have to be registered. A motorized scooter may be driven with any class driver license.
§ When overtaking and passing another vehicle or pedestrian within the lane or when about to enter the lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.
§ When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950).
§ When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.
§ When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
· No person operating a motorized scooter 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.
If you have been injured by an electronic scooter, contact our Bicycle Accident Attorney Long Beach office so we may walk you down all the options afforded to you.
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