Author: ksmith

Biking Under the Influence in California: Yeah, that’s Illegal

Is Cycling Under the Influence Illegal in California? Yes, it is illegal to cycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol on a highway in California. Here, highway is a catch-all term, and it means any public road, path, or highway. Private roads and driveways are excluded. Although cycling under the influence is illegal, it does not result in the

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Can I Buy My Child an E-Bike?

Can My Child Ride an E-Bike? Many California parents are considering getting their teens an e-bike to give them a greater degree of independence and to free up parents from the dreaded drop off life. The answer, as with all law questions on whether you can get your kid an e-bike is: it depends. Not all e-bikes are the same,

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California Bike Light and Reflector Laws

Are Bike Lights Required by Law? Yes, according to California Vehicle Code §21201-d, you must meet the requirements below while riding at night: (1) You must have a lamp that shines a white light able to illuminate the highway/road/sidewalk while the bike is moving. This light must be visible from 300 feet in front and from the sides of the

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Can You Wear Headphones While Biking in California?

California Bike Laws: Can You Wear Headphones While Biking in California? Can you wear headphones while biking in California? No, state law prohibits cyclists from wearing headphones or earbuds in both ears while riding. California Vehicle Code § 27400 applies to cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers. However, you can wear one earbud if your other ear remains open to traffic sounds.

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Bicycle Injuries on Bike Paths: Overcoming Trail Immunity

In California, cities and counties have been expanding their bicycle networks. Dedicated bicycle trails can offer separation from cars, but injuries and accidents can still happen. Whether it’s a pothole, a poorly marked post, or overhanging vegetation, cyclists can and do get injured. In most cases the government is immune from lawsuits over the condition of trails, but immunity is

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Low Price E-bikes Can Come at a Steep Cost

E-Bikes are here to stay. E-bikes are incredible. They are the future. They can replace car trips and use far less energy than alternatives. They can even realistically be charged at home with rooftop solar panels. As with all new inventions, they are still poorly understood, badly regulated, and the market is full of new companies with shoddy products. How

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Armed Bike Jacking in Oakland

Two cyclists were robbed at gun point. Oakland PD did nothing. Two cyclists, in two separate incidents, were robbed at gun point in the past week while riding in the Oakland Hills in the vicinity of Skyline, Tunnel, and Grizzly Peak roads. The attacks do not appear to be random as the thieves were targeting high end road bikes, a

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What AB 1909 (OmniBike Bill) Means for California Cyclists

With Governor Gavin Newsome’s signature, Assembly Bill (AB) 909 sets new standards designed to make bicycle riding on California’s roads safer and encourage more bicycle riding overall. AB1909 seeks to reduce the risks of serious or deadly encounters by giving cyclists more alternatives to streets and highways. Class 3 electric bikes do not face a statewide prohibition on using bike

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Ten Ways Your City Can Prevent Bicycle Collisions

With more and more bikes on the road, it has never been more important for cities to be bike-friendly. Properly designed bicycle infrastructure plays a vital role in preventing accidents, ensuring the safety of cyclists, and encouraging more people to choose cycling as a sustainable and healthy way to get around. Below are ten ways cities can help reduce collisions

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Tips for Cycling in Wet Weather

We Californians are blessed with relatively few rainy days per year, making Northern California a great place for cyclists. However, when the weather turns wet, and we have more intense winters, it can be a daunting task to ride your bike and stay on your training regimen. Let’s face it, Zwift just isn’t as fun and the trainer stand feels

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