Riding your bicycle is a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy some physical exercise. Before you take your bike out for the first time, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local and state bike laws in Fremont, California. Take the time to review the following bicycle traffic laws to ensure you always ride your bike safely and legally.
When Cyclists Can Use the Sidewalk
In the Fremont city limits, there are only specific conditions in which a rider can use their bicycle on a sidewalk. Essentially, children under 16 years of age can ride their bikes on Fremont sidewalks. Even when riders meet this age restriction, bicyclists must ride single-file and always give pedestrians the right of way. No one can legally ride a bicycle on a sidewalk in front of schools or commercial businesses.
Know When to Use Bike Lanes
Many Fremont streets have lanes specifically designated as bike lanes. Any bicyclist traveling slower than traffic must use these lanes when they are available. These lanes are strictly designated for bicyclists, so you won’t have to worry about cars and trucks using these lanes.
Legally Leaving the Bicycle Lane
While bicyclists should stay in bike lanes as much as possible, there are times when it’s necessary to switch into the normal lanes of traffic. For example, you can share the left turn lane with motor vehicles when turning left. Similarly, you can switch out of the bike lane when turning right. You might also find that it’s necessary to switch lanes when a pothole or a road obstruction blocks the bike lane.
How to Use Protected Bike Paths
As you ride your bicycle, you might come upon bike paths separated from the normal flow of traffic. There might be a parking lot, concrete posts, or other features separating the bike lane from the road. This is considered a protected bike path and doesn’t require cyclists to follow the same rules. When riding on a protected bike path, you can leave the path for any reason.
Using Regular Lanes of Traffic
If you’re riding on a road that doesn’t have a dedicated bike lane, you can share regular traffic lanes with cars and trucks. In these situations, you should try to ride along the right side of the lane when it’s safe to share the lane with other vehicles. If the lane is too narrow for your bicycle and another vehicle to share the road simultaneously, you can ride in the center of the lane.
Even if the lane is wide enough for side-by-side riding with a vehicle, you can take full use of the lane when making a left turn. You can also take full use of the lane when a pothole, spill, or another obstacle interferes with your bicycle’s path.
Stay Alert and Aware of Your Surroundings
Keep in mind that drivers may not be aware of your right to use the lane. Make sure you give plenty of notice and look around before moving toward the center of the lane. When making a turn, be sure to use the proper hand signals. This will prevent your actions from coming as a surprise to drivers on the road.
Fremont Bicycle Laws Are There for You
There aren’t many state and local bicycle laws that regulate how you enjoy a bike ride, but the few existing laws are there to protect you. Following these rules will help you stay safer when sharing the road with cars and trucks. When you know how to share the road properly, you’ll have a more positive experience when bicycling for fun or transportation.
Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law, a California Personal Injury Law Firm. Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004. His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation.
