Bicycle Laws in California (2026): Ride Smart, Stay Safe

Most riders have no clue about the new rules coming in 2026. Seriously. California just passed some major changes to bicycle laws, and if you ride a bike here, you need to know what’s legal and what could get you fined. Let’s break down exactly what you need to know.

Here’s the deal. Whether you ride a regular bike or an e-bike, California treats you like a vehicle on the road. That means you follow the same traffic laws as cars. But there are special rules just for cyclists. And in 2026, things are changing even more.

What Makes You a Cyclist Under California Law?

In California, a bicycle is any vehicle you pedal yourself. It has two wheels, handlebars, and a chain or belt to move it forward. Pretty simple, right?

E-bikes are different though. They have electric motors to help you ride. California divides e-bikes into three classes. Each class has different rules.

Class 1 e-bikes only help when you pedal. They stop helping at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes can use a throttle without pedaling. They also max out at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes are the fastest. They help you up to 28 mph but only when you pedal.

Wondering which rules apply to you? It depends on your bike type.

Basic Bicycle Traffic Laws

You gotta follow the same rules as cars. Seriously. This catches people by surprise.

Red Lights and Stop Signs

You must stop at red lights. You must stop at stop signs. No rolling through. No sneaking across before the light changes.

The base fine for running a stop sign is $35. The base fine for running a red light is $100. But hold on, this part is important. California adds fees on top of that base fine. Your actual ticket could be $200 to $400 or even more.

One cyclist in LA got a $381 ticket for running a red light on a bike. That’s not a typo. The fees add up fast.

Riding on the Right Side

Slower cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as possible. But there are exceptions. You can leave the right side when you’re passing someone. You can move left to make a left turn. You can avoid hazards like potholes or parked cars.

If the lane is too narrow for a bike and car to share safely, you can take the whole lane. Don’t worry, this confuses a lot of people.

Using Bike Lanes

If there’s a bike lane and you’re going slower than traffic, you have to use it. You can only leave the bike lane to pass, turn left, or avoid obstacles. This is the law.

But here’s something cool. If the bike lane is separated from traffic by posts or barriers, it’s called a separated bikeway. In that case, you’re allowed to ride outside it for any reason.

New Laws Taking Effect in 2026

Okay, this one’s important. California just passed several new laws for 2026.

E-Bike Rear Lights (Starting January 1, 2026)

All e-bikes must now have a red reflector or a red light on the rear at all times. Not just at night. All the time. This is Assembly Bill 544.

The light must be visible from 500 feet away. If you ride an e-bike, make sure you have this before 2026 starts.

E-Bike Safety Standards (Starting January 1, 2026)

Senate Bill 1271 sets new safety rules for e-bikes. All e-bikes sold in California must meet specific safety standards. Their batteries must be tested by certified labs.

Class 3 e-bikes can no longer have throttles. They must be pedal-assist only. If your Class 3 e-bike has a throttle, you might need to disable it. Check with the manufacturer.

All e-bikes are now limited to 750-watt motors or less. No exceptions.

E-Bike Impoundment Rules

Assembly Bill 875 lets police impound certain e-bikes for at least 48 hours. This applies if you’re riding an electric vehicle with fewer than four wheels that doesn’t meet e-bike standards. It also applies if you’re under 16 riding a Class 3 e-bike.

Police can require a safety course before releasing the bike. This is especially true for kids caught riding illegally.

Helmet Laws in California

Here’s where it gets interesting. The helmet law depends on your age and what you’re riding.

Kids Under 18

Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet when riding any bicycle. This includes regular bikes, e-bikes, scooters, skateboards, and roller skates. The law applies on public roads, bike paths, sidewalks, and trails.

Even babies in bike trailers need helmets if they’re 5 years old or younger. No exceptions.

The helmet must meet safety standards. It needs approval from either the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Look for stickers inside the helmet.

Adults 18 and Over

Adults don’t need helmets for regular bikes. But if you ride a Class 3 e-bike, you must wear a helmet no matter your age. Class 3 e-bikes go up to 28 mph. That’s fast enough to require protection.

Honestly, even though the law doesn’t require it, wearing a helmet is smart. Head injuries are the number one cause of death in bike crashes.

Helmet Ticket Penalties

If a kid under 18 gets caught without a helmet, the fine is $25. But wait, it gets better. California offers a fix-it option.

If the parent shows proof within 120 days that the kid now has a helmet and took a safety course, the fine gets dropped. The ticket never goes on record. Pretty straightforward.

Riding Under the Influence

You can get a DUI on a bicycle. Yep, that’s right.

California Vehicle Code 21200.5 makes it illegal to ride a bike while drunk or high. This applies on any public road, path, or highway.

What Counts as Under the Influence?

There’s no specific blood alcohol limit like cars have. Police look for signs like wobbly riding, running stop signs, or the smell of alcohol. If they think you’re impaired, they can cite you.

Penalties for Cycling Under the Influence

A conviction is a misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $250. There’s no jail time. But you get a criminal record.

Here’s where it gets rough. If you’re between 13 and 21, you lose your driver’s license for one year. Or if you don’t have a license yet, you have to wait an extra year to get it.

Think of it like this. You thought riding a bike home was safer than driving drunk. You were partly right. But it’s still illegal.

Required Equipment for Bicycles

Your bike needs certain equipment to be legal. Most of this is basic stuff.

Brakes

Your bike must have working brakes. The brakes need to let you skid one wheel on dry, clean pavement. That’s the legal standard.

Handlebars

Handlebars can’t be higher than your shoulders. This is for safety and control.

Bike Size

The bike must fit you. You need to be able to stop, put one foot on the ground, and start safely. If the bike is too big or too small, it’s illegal.

Lights for Night Riding

At night, you need a white light on the front visible from 300 feet. You need a red reflector on the back visible from 500 feet. You also need reflectors on the pedals or on your ankles.

Side reflectors are required too. Yellow or white on the front, red or white on the back.

Not sure what counts as night? It’s 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Where You Can and Can’t Ride

Some places are off-limits for bikes. Others depend on local rules.

Freeways and Toll Bridges

Bicycles are banned from freeways and expressways where signs say so. You also can’t cross toll bridges unless the California Department of Transportation allows it.

Sidewalks

Sidewalk riding depends on your city. Some cities allow it. Some don’t. Check your local laws.

In most places, if you ride on the sidewalk, you have to give pedestrians the right of way. Treat them like they own the space.

Bike Paths

No one can park or block a bike path. This includes other cyclists. If you need to stop, pull completely off the path.

Special 2025 Laws You Should Know

A couple of laws from 2025 are still important for 2026.

Daylighting Law

Cars can’t park within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection. This is to improve visibility. If there’s a curb extension, the distance is 15 feet.

This law took effect in 2024, but enforcement started in 2025. It makes intersections safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

No More Sharrows on Fast Streets

Sharrows are those bike symbols painted on the road. They’re now banned on streets with speed limits over 30 mph. Cities can only use them on slower streets.

This law recognizes that sharrows don’t protect cyclists on high-speed roads. You need actual bike lanes or protected bikeways instead.

Age Requirements for E-Bikes

Different e-bike classes have different age rules.

Class 1 e-bikes have no minimum age. Anyone can ride them. Class 2 e-bikes require riders to be at least 12 years old. Class 3 e-bikes require riders to be at least 16 years old.

Some cities have stricter rules. San Diego County allows local cities to ban kids under 12 from riding Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Chula Vista and Coronado already did this.

Check your local rules to be safe.

How to Avoid Tickets

Sound complicated? It’s actually not. Here’s what you need to do.

Follow all traffic laws. Stop at red lights and stop signs. Use hand signals when turning. Ride on the right side unless you need to pass or turn left.

Wear a helmet if you’re under 18 or riding a Class 3 e-bike. Make sure your bike has working brakes and lights at night. Use bike lanes when they’re available.

Don’t ride drunk or high. This should go without saying.

If you ride an e-bike, know which class it is. Make sure it meets the new 2026 standards.

What to Do If You Get a Ticket

Let’s say you get pulled over. Stay calm.

First, make sure the ticket says “bicycle” on it. If it doesn’t, tell the officer you were riding a bike, not driving a car. This matters for your driving record.

You have three options. You can pay the fine. You can contest the ticket in court. Or you can ask for traffic school if it’s available.

Most people don’t realize this. Courts don’t have to report bicycle violations to the DMV. Ask the court not to report it. Be polite. This can keep it off your driving record.

If you decide to fight the ticket, gather evidence. Take photos of the location. Note where the officer was standing. Look up the vehicle code you were cited for.

Sometimes the officer won’t show up to court. If that happens, the judge should dismiss your ticket. Even if the officer shows up, you can still explain your side.

Honestly, for minor violations, paying the fine might be easiest. But if the ticket is expensive or could affect your insurance, fighting it makes sense.

Common Questions People Ask

These are the questions cyclists ask most often.

Do I Need a License to Ride a Bike?

No. You don’t need a driver’s license to ride a bicycle in California. But if you get pulled over, you must show valid ID.

Can I Ride a Bike on the Sidewalk?

It depends on your city. Some allow it. Some don’t. Check local ordinances.

If it’s legal in your area, give pedestrians the right of way. Ride slowly and carefully.

What Happens If I Run a Red Light on a Bike?

You get a ticket just like a car would. The base fine is $100. With fees, expect $200 to $400 or more.

The good news? It probably won’t go on your driving record if the ticket says “bicycle.” But you still have to pay.

Can I Ride My E-Bike Anywhere a Regular Bike Goes?

Mostly yes. E-bikes are allowed wherever regular bikes are allowed unless a sign says otherwise. But Class 3 e-bikes might have extra restrictions in some places.

What If I Get a Helmet Ticket for My Kid?

You can do traffic school. Show proof your kid has a helmet and took a safety course within 120 days. The fine gets dismissed.

The base fine is $25, but with fees it’s around $193 in some counties. The traffic school option is way better.

Why These Laws Matter

You might think bike laws are no big deal. But they exist for good reasons.

Traffic laws keep everyone safe. When cyclists follow the rules, drivers can predict what they’ll do. This prevents accidents.

Helmet laws protect young riders. Kids are more vulnerable to head injuries. A helmet can save a life.

E-bike regulations address new technology. E-bikes are faster and more powerful than regular bikes. They need different safety standards.

The new 2026 laws show California is taking bike safety seriously. Battery fires from cheap e-bikes have caused injuries and deaths. Better safety standards help prevent that.

Final Thoughts

Now you know the basics. California’s bicycle laws are strict, but they’re not complicated. Follow traffic rules. Wear a helmet if required. Make sure your bike has the right equipment.

The 2026 changes mostly affect e-bikes. If you ride a regular bike, not much is changing. If you ride an e-bike, check that it meets the new standards.

Stay informed, stay safe, and when in doubt, ride like you’re driving a car. You’ll be fine.

References

1. California Vehicle Code – Division 11, Chapter 1, Article 4 (Bicycle Laws) – https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&division=11.&title=&part=&chapter=1.&article=4.
2. California Highway Patrol – New Laws for 2026 – https://www.chp.ca.gov/news-alerts/news-list/new-year-new-laws–chp-highlights-public-safety-laws-taking-effect-in-2026/
3. California Active Transportation Safety Information Pages (CATSIP) – New Laws for 2025 – https://catsip.berkeley.edu/news/new-california-active-transportation-laws-2025
4. Bike East Bay – New California Bike and Pedestrian Laws – https://bikeeastbay.org/new-california-bike-rules-and-laws-for-2025/
5. CalBike – California Bicycle Laws – https://www.calbike.org/go_for_a_ride/california_bicycle_laws/