Full Notification

The Central Marin Police Authority would like to remind our community members that when bicycling, please obey the rules of the road .  The California Vehicle Code states that 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.  Please be sure to stop at stop signs and obey all traffic control signs and devices.  

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has these following safety tips for bicyclists when riding;

BE SEEN

Especially when riding at night or during periods of low visibility, use a white front light and red rear light. You can also make yourself more visible with bright / reflective clothing or accessories.

BE PREDICTABLE

Communicate with drivers through hand signals and always do your best to make eye contact to make sure they see you. When passing others on multi-use pathways or trails, use a bell or verbal indications (“On your left!”) to warn them.

BE CONFIDENT

You have a right to the road. If you’re riding slower than traffic, you should ride close to the right side of the road (or in the shoulder/bike lane, if there is one), except under the following conditions:

• Take the lane if there is no shoulder/bike lane and you’re travelling at or close to the speed of traffic. This often happens on descents or on narrow / calm neighborhood streets.

• Take the lane if the shoulder or bike lane is blocked or unsafe.

• Take the lane if you feel as though it would be unsafe for a driver to pass you, for example because of poor sightlines or oncoming traffic.

When riding along parallel-parked cars, always stay about three feet clear of the cars to avoid the “door zone.”

BE RESPECTFUL

People bicycling are held to the same standards as those driving. As a rule of thumb, ride as you would be expected to drive; stop at stop signs and red lights, yield to pedestrians waiting to cross, signal before changing lanes, etc.

Again, when riding on multi-use pathways, always share the path. Ride right, pass on the left, and keep your speed under 15 MPH (or even lower, if posted otherwise).