Recent California bike laws protect cyclists state-wide

[Jeremy McCreary]

Sometime in 2023, California passed some much-needed bike laws nicely publicized in the latter part of this video, where I just heard about them for the first time:

Will have to research the details, but in short...

1. Cars are now required to change lanes to pass cyclists whenever safe to do so.

2. Otherwise, they must hang back till a legal pass opens up.

The 3-foot passing buffer previously required is no longer enough. Part of the motivation was to make the new passing requirements easier to enforce.

I've personally never seen a bike-related enforcement action in my 2 years here, and certainly not for lack of bikes. But there's always hope!

Another new law allows Class 3 ebikes on MUPs, paths, and trails previously restricted to Classes 1 and 2. This basically legalizes reality on the ground, and I'm OK with it. The class system is largely irrelevant in these settings, as even 20 mph is often WAY too fast.

More at 11...

 

[Chargeride]

Im not sure of this, but the UK perception of the US is endless straight roads, is California more bendy than normal?
In the UK you can be stuck behind a single bike for miles, we have strict no overtaking central lines along fast 60mph bended roads that swap over overtaking allowance as the road dictates.
Its generally ignored for passing cyclists, but still quite a feat to pull off comfortably, and cyclists with cameras can post footage to the police and get drivers convicted.
Does Cali have the same?

 

[Nvreloader]

Here in NV,
If there is 5 or more vehicles behind a bike, the bike must pull over at the next safest spot to let the vehicles pass. A bicycle can use the whole lane when riding, unless there is a bike lane.
ymmv

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Here in NV,
If there is 5 or more vehicles behind a bike, the bike must pull over at the next safest spot to let the vehicles pass. A bicycle can use the whole lane when riding, unless there is a bike lane.
ymmv

All in favor of that 5-waiting rule for ALL road users, bikes and motor vehicles alike. Colorado passed one for at least the latter — badly needed everywhere but especially in the mountains. Little compliance.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Im not sure of this, but the UK perception of the US is endless straight roads, is California more bendy than normal?
In the UK you can be stuck behind a single bike for miles, we have strict no overtaking central lines along fast 60mph bended roads that swap over overtaking allowance as the road dictates.
Its generally ignored for passing cyclists, but still quite a feat to pull off comfortably, and cyclists with cameras can post footage to the police and get drivers convicted.
Does Cali have the same?

In California, look at empire grade road, eureka canyon road, highway 35 and highway 236. People bike there and it’s dangerous. Drivers in big trucks have to follow the cyclist for about a mile before they can safely pass. The cyclist sometimes gets upset and waves you by, but you can’t see oncoming traffic due to bends in the road, hillsides, or trees. I understand why someone would like to bike out in remote areas like this, but it can be pretty dangerous if the driver, or cyclist, was unfamiliar with the roads. I also saw one guy actually on highway 17. Not by the reservoir, but near Scott’s valley.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Im not sure of this, but the UK perception of the US is endless straight roads, is California more bendy than normal?

Geographically and in every other way, the US is WAY too big and diverse a place for generalizations like that.

In particular, California's generally a very mountainous state. Long straight roads are common in the major agricultural valleys (e.g., Sacramento, San Juaquin, Salinas, Napa) — except for the many 90° bends to get around property lines. Also common in the eastern deserts but the exception everywhere else. Plenty of twisty 2-lane roads with blind curves, the poster child being Hwy 1 hugging the extremely rugged central coast.

But the 1-lane roads I keep seeing in your videos are quite rare.

In the UK you can be stuck behind a single bike for miles, we have strict no overtaking central lines along fast 60mph bended roads that swap over overtaking allowance as the road dictates.
Its generally ignored for passing cyclists, but still quite a feat to pull off comfortably, and cyclists with cameras can post footage to the police and get drivers convicted.
Does Cali have the same?

Alas, not aware of any system for posting footage to the police here. Coastal SoCal is crawling with bikes, and most drivers are pretty good about sharing the roads. But there are definitely exceptions, with pickup drivers highly overrepresented.

 

[Blue Thunder]

All in favor of that 5-waiting rule for ALL road users, bikes and motor vehicles alike. Colorado passed one for at least the latter — badly needed everywhere but especially in the mountains. Little compliance.

And how would the cyclist know? I for one, won't be counting cars in my mirror.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

And how would the cyclist know? I for one, won't be counting cars in my mirror.

Thank you for at least having a mirror. I see most road bikers don’t have one. I know they are heavy and ugly, but they can really save your ass.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

And how would the cyclist know? I for one, won't be counting cars in my mirror.

On a curvy road, all you need is a glance in the mirror.

Safety and courtesy on the road are everyone's responsibility. The more cyclists act like entitled jerks — and WAY too many do — the more we'll get that from drivers.

 

[m@Robertson]

Thank you for at least having a mirror. I see most road bikers don’t have one. I know they are heavy and ugly, but they can really save your ass.

They don't have to be. I have a tiny little helmet ("Take a Look" brand) mirror stabilized against my visor with velcro so its rock solid, and it provides a big screen TV of the entire road behind me in my upper left corner of vision. I hate riding without it I am so used to being able to see whats going on behind me.