Bicyclists Belong In The Way
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Jim Baross
May 22, 2026, 12:09:37 PM (12 days ago) May 22
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When someone complains that a bicyclist is “in the way,” or "in the middle of the road," they usually are complaining that we are riding within the travel lane. But on public streets, that is often exactly where bicyclists should lawfully be when a bikeway - bike lane or separated bikeway - isn't available or is not a good choice.
California law recognizes that people riding bicycles are legitimate roadway users. Under California Vehicle Code 21200, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles. And under California Vehicle Code 21202, bicyclists may move left into the lane whenever riding at the edge of the road would be unsafe—such as when avoiding the door zone of parked cars, passing hazards, preparing to merge or turn, or when a lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle.
That means something important: sometimes the safest place for a bicyclist to ride is in the lane - IN THE WAY.
Shared Lane Markings (“sharrows”) and “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs exist for a reason. They can remind motorists that bicyclists may be in the travel lane and that passing must be done safely, with at least 3 feet of clearance or by completely changing lanes when another lane is available, see California Vehicle Code 21760.
Riding visibly in the lane also prevents common crashes such as the “right hook” and the “left cross,” where turning drivers collide with bicyclists riding straight. Being squeezed against the curb may feel polite, but it can make bicyclists harder to see and more vulnerable. Bicycling too close to parked vehicles exposes bicyclists to the hazard of suddenly opened car doors.
Bicyclists riding lawfully in the lane are not obstructing traffic. They are traffic.
And sometimes our presence does something valuable: it slows motor vehicle drivers just enough to help make streets safer for everyone—people walking, bicycling, driving, and living along those streets.
Public roads are shared spaces. Riding responsibly includes riding where it is safe, lawful, and visible—even if that means being “in the way” for a moment.
Because sometimes the safest place for a bicyclist to be… is right where drivers can see them as part of traffic.
California law recognizes that people riding bicycles are legitimate roadway users. Under California Vehicle Code 21200, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles. And under California Vehicle Code 21202, bicyclists may move left into the lane whenever riding at the edge of the road would be unsafe—such as when avoiding the door zone of parked cars, passing hazards, preparing to merge or turn, or when a lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle.
That means something important: sometimes the safest place for a bicyclist to ride is in the lane - IN THE WAY.
Shared Lane Markings (“sharrows”) and “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs exist for a reason. They can remind motorists that bicyclists may be in the travel lane and that passing must be done safely, with at least 3 feet of clearance or by completely changing lanes when another lane is available, see California Vehicle Code 21760.
Riding visibly in the lane also prevents common crashes such as the “right hook” and the “left cross,” where turning drivers collide with bicyclists riding straight. Being squeezed against the curb may feel polite, but it can make bicyclists harder to see and more vulnerable. Bicycling too close to parked vehicles exposes bicyclists to the hazard of suddenly opened car doors.
Bicyclists riding lawfully in the lane are not obstructing traffic. They are traffic.
And sometimes our presence does something valuable: it slows motor vehicle drivers just enough to help make streets safer for everyone—people walking, bicycling, driving, and living along those streets.
Public roads are shared spaces. Riding responsibly includes riding where it is safe, lawful, and visible—even if that means being “in the way” for a moment.
Because sometimes the safest place for a bicyclist to be… is right where drivers can see them as part of traffic.
Support CABO, https://cabobike.org/membership/. CABO supports bicyclists' rights; Roads are for people, not only for people in cars.
Jim Baross
CABO President
Gary Cziko
May 29, 2026, 3:43:46 PM (4 days ago) May 29
to jimb...@gmail.com, Cabo Forum
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