The California DMV recently published a new, 2010 edition of the California Driver Handbook. A change over previous editions is additional information about how motorists should behave around cyclists.
The section about bicyclists in the Slow Moving Vehicle section looks like this.
Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile and motorcycle drivers. Respect the right-of- way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with other drivers. Here are some critical points for drivers and bicyclists to remember:
Motor vehicle drivers must:
- Pass a bicyclist as they would a slow moving-vehicle. Pass with caution, and only when safe.
- Look carefully for bicyclists before opening doors next to moving traffic or before turning.
- Safely merge toward the curb or into the bike lane.
- Not overtake a bicyclist just before making a turn. Merge first, then turn.
- Be careful when approaching or passing a bicyclist on a freeway.
Bicyclists:
- Must obey all traffic signals and stop signs.
- Are lawfully permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways, in some rural areas where there is no alternate route.
- Must ride in the same direction as other traffic, not against it.
- Shall ride as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as practical– not on the sidewalk.
- May legally move left to turn left, to pass a parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, animal, make a turn or avoid debris and other hazards.
- May choose to ride near the left curb or edge of a one-way street.
- Should ride single file on a busy or narrow street.
- Must make left and right turns in the same way that drivers do, using the same turn lanes. If the bicyclist is traveling straight ahead, he or she should use a through traffic lane rather than ride next to the curb and block traffic making right turns.
- Must signal all their intentions to motorists and bicyclists near them.
- Must wear a helmet if under the age of 18.
- Should carry identification.
- Shall not operate a bicycle on a roadway during darkness unless the bicycle is equipped with:
- A brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry level, clean pavement.
- A front lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet.
- A rear red reflector visible from a distance of 500 feet.
- A white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible from a distance of 200 feet.
Instruction on how motorists should drive around cyclists is not limited to the slow moving vehicles section. This “Right / Wrong” diagram on how to pass a cyclist, for example, is on the section on how pass any vehicle and how to use passing lanes. These directions are given for “Passing Other Traffic”:
Under “Road Workers and Work Zones,” we find this discussion:
The current DMV test for California drivers license also has questions about sharing the road with cyclists. Some questions I’ve heard of and seen on sample tests include:
a. Must ride facing oncoming traffic
b. Illegally share lanes with motor vehicles
c. Are entitled to share the road with you
To make a right turn at the corner, you:
a. May not enter the bicycle lane.
b. Should only merge into the bicycle lane if you stop before turning.
c. Must merge into the bicycle lane before turning.
On a green arrow, you must:
a. Yield to any vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian in the intersection.
b. Yield to pedestrians only in the intersection.
c. Wait four seconds before proceeding.
How does tihs compare with your state’s driving manual and driver’s license test?
See the California Drivers’ Handbook here.
See also:
- Merging into a bike lane is not the same as turning across it
- Mississippi passes 3 foot passing law
- Oregon’s bike lane law
- Bicycle news
