A new law being introduced in California will require cyclists to pull over when traffic backs up. The law takes effect from January 1st and cyclists who are now considered slow-moving vehicles will have to pull in to the right to allow backed-up traffic to pass.

As with other vehicles, bicycles with five or more cars behind them will be required to pull over only at a road turning or when they have adequate space to do so.

Gary Helfrich, executive director of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition says that it’s a move that conscientious riders already make but that the new law simply codifies it.

“Sharing the road goes both ways,” Helfrich told The Press Democrat. “We always teach in bike safety classes it’s how to behave anyway.”

The new law is as follows:

Highway lane use (AB 208, Bigelow) The law requiring slow-moving passenger vehicles to pull over safely to let traffic pass has been amended to apply to all vehicles, effective January 1, 2016. Bicycles will now be included in the legal requirement that slow-moving vehicles use the next available turnout or other area to let backed-up traffic – five or more vehicles – get by.

12 COMMENTS

    • CVC 22400, 21654, and 21656 already applies to all slow moving vehicles, including bikes. No reason for this law.

      No, CA does not allow crossing of a double yellow solid line.

  1. First, the headline is wrong. It is not a US law as the Federal Government does not create VC. Vehicle Code is regulated at the state level. This is a California law.

    Second, they do not need a new law. This is already covered in the vehicle code under: CVC 22400, 21654, 21656.

    Since, CVC 21200 states, “A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle…”, CVC 22400, 21654, and 21656 applies to cyclists as well.

    I am tired of all of these separate laws for different road users, including the ridiculously stupid 3ft law passed last year. These laws do nothing but promote even more segregation, discrimination, and a sense of entitlement.

  2. First, the headline is wrong. It is not a US law as the Federal Government does not create VC. Vehicle Code is regulated at the state level. This is a California law.

    Second, they do not need a new law. This is already covered in the vehicle code under: CVC 22400, 21654, 21656.

    Since, CVC 21200 states, “A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle…”, CVC 22400, 21654, and 21656 applies to cyclists as well.

    I am tired of all of these separate laws for different road users, including the ridiculously stupid 3ft law passed last year. These laws do nothing but promote even more segregation, discrimination, and a sense of entitlement

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