CVC (California Vehicle Code) 21200. (a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division

 This is the greatest law of them all.  It is what gives us the right to share the roads with motorists.  We are very fortunate that we have this law and it can be applied to many situations on the road.  However, did you know it could also be applied to non-driving situations?  Say, for example, you are hanging out at your local coffeehouse waiting for your group ride to get going.  You know the 8:00 AM World Championship Saturday ride that usually leaves at 8:05 AM?

You're having your morning cup of coffee with some of the riders, but your bike as well as the bikes of 50 other riders waiting around to get going are leaning against windows, newspaper racks, trees, & on the sidewalks.  The reason for this is probably that there are no bike racks present.  Others are standing over their bikes milling about in driveways and parking areas.  A car pulls in and blasts his horn because some of the riders are blocking access to the parking space right in front of the coffeehouse.  Well, guess what?  According to CVC 21200, you have the right to park your bicycle in a parking space just like a car and those who are having coffee should lean their bikes against each other & park them in that parking space!  Hey, you can put 10 bikes in the space needed to park one car so there will be no complaints from intelligent coffee house owners who are selling coffee to the riders of those bikes. 

What is Legal?

Well, if your bikes are positioned about in various areas and not parked properly you could be cited.  Here is the law that allows for that:

 CVC 21210. No person shall leave a bicycle lying on its side on any sidewalk, or shall park a bicycle on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.  Local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit bicycle parking in designated areas of the public highway, provided that appropriate signs are erected. 

Generally, unless there is an ordinance prohibiting bicycle parking and it is posted, it follows that you must then have the right to take a parking space.  Assert this right and stack your bikes against each other in a parking space.  By doing so, you continue to provide the public the education they need.  Bikes have the same rights as cars. 

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 This page was  last updated 02/17/07