Same Road, Same Rules, Same Rights
The California Vehicle Code grants motorists and bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities on public streets – both are responsible for obeying the laws and rules of the road.

Red Means Stop at Traffic Signals and Stop Signs
Motorists and bicyclists must stop at red lights and stop signs, and yield at stop signs to those who arrive first.

Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions
Whether you drive a car or ride a bike, it’s illegal to talk or text on a cell phone. Wearing headphones that cover both ears is also illegal. If wearing earbuds, leave one ear free to listen for other vehicles, including emergency responders.

Beware of the “Door Zone”
Motorists should take extra precaution when opening car doors into traffic to avoid collisions with oncoming bicyclists. Also, bicyclists should allow at least five feet of clearance while riding alongside parked cars to avoid the “Door Zone.”

Tips For People Driving

Give Bicyclists Three Feet or More When Passing
The faster a car’s speed, the greater the distance a motorist needs to pass safely due to vehicle wind shear. On narrower streets, pass bicyclists slowly and only pass leaving three feet of space or more. If there is not adequate space to pass, change lanes or wait until you can pass safely. Please don’t tailgate bicyclists as it is threatening behavior that may cause a bicyclist to lose control.

Take Care at Driveways and Intersections
Most crashes occur at intersections and driveways. So when pulling out of driveways or alleyways, look both ways for bicyclists and pedestrians and take extra care when turning right at intersections.

Use Your Horn to Warn, Not to Scorn
Nobody likes angry honking and sudden loud noises may startle and distract bicyclists. In fact, it’s against the law to use your horn for non-emergency warnings.

Tips For People Biking

Be Predictable and Use Hand Signals
Bicyclists are safest when their actions and behaviors are predictable to motorists and pedestrians. Bicyclists should follow the same rules as if they are driving a car, such as looking behind and using signals prior to making turns

Be Visible Day and Night
By law, bicyclists must turn on a white headlight and use side and rear reflectors when riding at night. A rear-facing red LED light and bright or contrasting clothing is recommended to be more visible to motorists.

Bike with the Flow of Traffic
Bicyclists must travel with the flow of traffic even when riding on sidewalks. It’s the law. Riding in the same direction of traffic helps bicyclists to be visible and predictable to motorists and pedestrians who are not expecting bicyclists to come from the opposite direction.

Walk Your Bike on the Sidewalk in Business Districts
In Encinitas, our top priority is the safety of everyone. Riding bicycles on sidewalks within business districts is considered unsafe and not in accordance with local regulations. Cyclists are expected to dismount and walk their bikes while on the sidewalk.

Pedestrians Rule
ALWAYS slow down and yield to pedestrians who are walking on sidewalks or crossing the street. Ring your bell when passing pedestrians to let them know you are near.

Wear a Helmet
Protect your most valuable asset by wearing a bike helmet. Children under 18 are required by the State of California law to wear a helmet.

We invite you to sign up for a fee, 1-hour webinar training on Mon, Oct 28 at 6pm, designed to improve road safety through a deeper understanding of bicycle and pedestrian behavior. Our Bicycle & Pedestrian Friendly Motorist Training is tailored specifically for motorists and focuses on the essential principles of sharing the road with cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users. This webinar is supported by the City of Encinitas and offered in partnership with the San Dieguito Union High School District and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.

Why Attend:

• Promote Road Safety: Equip yourself with knowledge that helps prevent crashes and promotes a safer driving environment for everyone.
• Build Awareness: Develop a better appreciation for the perspectives and experiences of cyclists and pedestrians.
• Enhance Skills: Improve your driving skills to navigate mixed-use roadways confidently and courteously.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Understanding Road Users: Gain insights into how and why people on bikes, scooters, and wheelchairs navigate roadways. Learn about their challenges, needs, and the specific rules that apply to them.
2. Effective Communication: Discover strategies to communicate effectively and safely with cyclists and pedestrians. Learn how to anticipate their movements and react appropriately to ensure everyone’s safety.
3. Safe Driving Practices: Learn best practices for safely coexisting with other road users. This includes understanding safe passing distances, proper lane usage, and how to handle interactions at intersections and crosswalks.
4. Legal Responsibilities: Get familiar with the laws and regulations that pertain to bicycle and pedestrian safety. Understand your legal obligations as a motorist and how to adhere to them.
5. Creating a Harmonious Road Environment: Explore methods to foster a cooperative atmosphere on the road. Learn how positive interactions and understanding can reduce conflicts and enhance overall road safety.

Sign up here, at no cost using promo code DRIVESAFE1028

https://givebutter.com/drivewithcare02

Bike/E-Bike "Community Cycling" Skills Classes Offered in Encinitas

In our class, offered in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, you will learn the rules of the road and practice essential bike riding skills with a trained bike instructor. Topics covered include where to ride, best practices, emergency maneuvers, legal rights and responsibilities.

The 3-hour class is broken up into 3 parts: lecture, skills drills, and a guided road ride to put your new skills into action! Class content applies to both regular and e-bikes. Some cycling experience is required as this is not a "learn-to-ride" class.  

Please come ready with the bicycle/e-bike that you regularly ride.  Be sure that your bike is in good working order. Don’t forget to double check the chain, brakes and tire air pressure. Wear a properly fitted helmet, closed toe sneakers and athletic clothing that is safe to ride in and weather appropriate.  Please bring a water bottle and snack.

Encinitas residents will receive a refund of registration amount after completion of the course ($2.70 ActiveNet system processing fee is non-refundable).

If under 16, parent registration and participation strongly encouraged. For participants 12 and under, parent registration and participation required.

Bike/E-Bike "Community Cycling" classes (click for info and to register):

• November 23
• December 21

Times: All classes offered 9am - 12pm (class starts promptly at 9am and participants must complete full class to receive certificate of completion)

Location:
Encinitas Community Center
1140 Oakcrest Park Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024

Check back for additional offerings coming up for late fall and winter months.

What qualifies as an e-bike?

An e-bike is an electric bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.

• E-bikes are regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road apply to e-bikes and human-powered bicycles. Learn more in our E-bike Road Rules flyer.
• Electric bicycles are not subject to the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles.

Classifications

Of the many styles of e-bikes out there, most fall within three (3) legal classifications (types), which are described below.

Type 1:

• Pedal-assisted.
• Power maxes out at 20mph.
• Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed.

Type 2:

• Pedal or throttle-assisted.
• Power maxes out at 20mph.
• Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed.

Type 3:

• Pedal or throttle-assisted.
• Maxes out at 28mph.
• Some restrictions on where they can be ridden, see below.

Any e-bike that assists the rider over 28mph is not street legal and must stay off of roads, sidewalks and multi-use trails and paths.

It is against the law in California to modify or otherwise tamper with electric bicycles in a way that changes the speed capability, unless the rider also changes the bicycle’s classification. Electric bicycles with motors of more than 750 watts, and bicycles with gas motors are technically motorcycles according to the law and require Class M licenses, registration and insurance.

What qualifies as an e-bike?

An e-bike is an electric bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.

• E-bikes are regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road apply to e-bikes and human-powered bicycles. Learn more in our E-Bike Road Rules Flyer.
• Electric bicycles are not subject to the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles.

Where You Can Ride

In Encinitas there are a few key differences in where an e-bike can and cannot ride.

Public right of way determined by CA Vehicle Code (CVC)

• Bike paths: Type 1 and Type 2 e-bikes are allowed on bike paths. Type 3 are not allowed.
• Bike lanes: All types are allowed in bike lanes.
• Sharrows (shared roadways): All classifications are allowed in sharrows. Arrow markings painted in roadway indicate a sharrow, where the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to share the lane safely side-by-side. Bicyclists should discourage unsafe passing by riding toward the middle of the sharrow.
• Roadways: Bicyclists/e-bikes have a right to the road even if no sharrow is present

Trail access determined by various agencies - always be sure to obey posted signage

• Type 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on all Encinitas trails and paths which indicate bicycles are allowed.
• In California State Parks, Type 1 and Type 2 electric bicycles may be allowed where bicycles are allowed as long as they’re not specifically called out as prohibited. They are currently allowed in Wilder Ranch State Parks, as well as Folsom and Auburn State Recreation Areas. Contact California State Parks for more information.
• FEDERAL: As of August 29th 2019 all e-bikes up to 750 watt can now access Federal Lands and natural parks anywhere a regular bicycle can access. The one exception is National Forests, the forests are managed by the Department of Agriculture and these changes are not implemented yet on the forests. Changes are happening to align all Federal land to the recent Order. Contact the US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Office or the BLM California State Office for more information.