Bike Advocate 1 Lane Positioning

Bike Advocate 1

CVC (California Vehicle Code) 21202 (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except……………..

The above section is taken directly from the California Vehicle Code and is often misinterpreted not only by auto drivers but by bicyclists as well. How often have you heard the story of a friend who has been cut off or hit by a car while riding at an intersection? It is quite possible that the bicyclist was not riding in a manner to maximize visibility. The words, "as close as practicable" do not mean, "as close as possible under all circumstances." Obviously if you are planning on going straight at an intersection you would not drive your car "as close as practicable" to the right hand curb, would you? Therefore, it should come as no surprise that if you are riding along the curb and travel straight through an intersection, that you are not seen by motorists. Motorists have "motorist vision." They are looking for other motorists, not bicycles. As a bicyclist, you must take responsibility for making the motorists see you. Most accidents occur at intersections or where driveways are. A motorist turning right may be likely to pass you before an intersection and then turn right in front of you because they "didn't see you." Ride for visibility. Do not hug the curb because that will reduce your visibility. Move left slightly as you approach an intersection or driveway so you are seen. It is also both illegal and dangerous to go straight in a "right turn only" lane. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen cyclists do this.

What is legal?

CVC 21202(a)(3) allows bicyclists to the use of a full lane. And we are not referring to a bicycle lane here. If you are planning to go straight through an intersection, do yourself a favor. Make it obvious you are going straight by moving left to the "through lane" and not hugging the curb. If the lane is of a "substandard width," CVC 21202 specifically allows you to take the center of the lane. The CVC states that a substandard width lane is any lane that is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle. You have the right to make the decision when the lane is too narrow for you to share with a motor vehicle. Ride for maximum visibility and limit the opportunities for motor vehicles to make mistakes when they are around you.

What is safe?

Again, ride for maximum visibility at all times. This will vary with the skill and confidence level of each individual rider. If you are not comfortable on your bicycle with asserting your right to the road, don't. Move left when necessary for visibility, especially at intersections. Do not pass cars on the right! If you are on a group ride, your options may be limited because you will need to make movements that are safe within the group you are with. However, don't encourage unsafe behavior either. There is nothing wrong with letting the group know that it is safer to move to the left when approaching an intersection. As a last resort, if you are afraid of the cars and traffic, find a safer route where perhaps you will not have to assert yourself.

Brad House is a licensed category 2 racing cyclist with 20 years road, track, and mountain bike racing experience. He also has 26 years bicycle commuting experience, has been trained as an instructor in effective cycling methods for commuters, and has testified, fought and won all of the only three citations he's ever received on his bike. He owns Back On Track Productions, contributes to the California Bicycle Coalition and is inspired by John Forrester's book, "Effective Cycling."

This page was last updated 02/17/07