CVC 21650. Upon all highways, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway…
There are few exceptions to this law, most of which are related to construction zones, narrow width roads, passing, one-way roads and using shoulders when moving slowly. With the rights of vehicles, bicyclists also have the same responsibilities as vehicles and that includes staying on the right half of the roadway. Unless you are riding on a closed course, keep this in mind particularly in a group situation where there may be even great hazards due to the proximity of other riders.
Here is an example of what not to do.
These riders are not on a closed course and risk head-on collision with
oncoming vehicles. This is a turn
with poor visibility and it could be argued that these riders are in violation
of CVC 23103 - Reckless Driving. Yes,
you "drive" your bicycle when on the roadway just like you
"drive" your car.
CVC 23103. (a) Any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
The wanton disregard for safety of persons could be the fact that there is poor visibility in this turn and these riders are hugging the left curb!
Here is the penalty.
CVC 23103 c) Persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104.
While this may seem severe, it's nothing compared to the
possibility of serious injury or death if these riders were to strike on
oncoming car.
If you think of "driving" your bicycle like you
would your car, it may help remind you to follow the same laws since they apply
equally to bicycles.
B