8 Laws that Apply to San Diego Bicyclists
People who ride bicycles in San Diego are subject to California state statutes as well as city of San Diego municipal code. Below are 8 laws or codes that bicyclists in San Diego should keep in mind when riding. Click here to learn more about California bike laws.
Pedicabs are subject to CVC and municipal code for parking regulations. It is unlawful to leave a pedicab unattended in a pedicab parking zone. Pedicabs cannot be operated on streets that have limits over 25 mph unless operating in a class II bike lane.
It is unlawful to bike in parks, beaches, or public playgrounds unless posted. 6-3-1-4- (19).
People riding bicycles must yield to people on foot/pedestrians. However, people on foot/pedestrians are not allowed to use a bike path or bike lane when there are when there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility. CVC 21966 (a).
People riding bicycles in San Diego must stop for stop signs and red lights. CVC 21200. In 2021 a proposed Idaho stop type law made it quite far but was eventually vetoed by Governor Newsome. The bill was The Safety Stop bill (AB 122) and would have allowed bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.
People on bikes in California must stop at a red light but can then turn right on red (or left if a one way street) unless a sign prohibits this. CVC 21453.
People riding bikes that are under 18 years old are required to wear a helmet.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage from a car policy will apply to a person riding a bicycle who gets hits by a motor vehicle with no insurance or not enough insurance to cover damages.
Homeowner insurance may provide money to a person riding a bicycle who gets hurt from another person’s negligent conduct that does not involve a motor vehicle. An example of this is a person who owns a house allowing a hose to discharge water onto a bike path which causes slime buildup and results in a crash. Attorney Griessmeyer handled a case such as this and the case settled for $300,000.