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Education

The SBBC+ Education Programs are developed for Youth, Adults...Everyone!

Below are the resources and education programs SBBC+ is offering all members of our community the information they need to safely enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle.

Youth Education

Before riding a bicycle, everyone should know the rules of the road. Remember in California everyone under the age of 17 must wear a helmet. Below are links to SAFE Moves, which shows the kind of youth education we support and Streets Are for Everyone, which hosts an annual student competition for the best traffic public service announcement.

eBikes

E-bikes have quickly become a popular way for the young and old to get around town. Their large batteries and powerful motors make cycling accessible to a much broader audience. Please review and share the following information to keep e-bike riding safe for everyone.

Adult Education

Whether 18 or 85 you can always learn something new. Below are links to the League of American Bicyclists videos and reference sheets for everything from the safety check before starting to the ride home.

League of American Bicyclists Ride safety videos:

Riding Tips
- Get Ready to Ride
- Signaling and Scanning
- Lane Positioning and Intersections
- Starting, Stopping and Shifting
- Bike Parking and Sidewalks
- Traffic and Safety Tips
Bikes & Gears
- How to Choose a Bike
- Fitting and Adjusting Your Bike
- Bike Helmets
- What to Wear
- What to Bring
Driver Tips
- Dooring and the Dutch Reach
- Common Crashes
- Traffic Laws and Cycling
- Speed Limits: 20 Is Plenty
- Why are Bicyclists in the Middle of the Road
- Bike Lanes and Not for Cars
- We are All Human
Rules of the Road
THE BASICS

Ride on the Street

You have a right to ride on the street. You are NOT required to ride on the sidewalk. [CVC 21200 Exception: Freeways and some bridges may have signs posted forbidding bicyclists.]

Obey All Signs, Street Markings, and Signals

Bicycle riders must obey the same rules as vehicle drivers. This includes stopping at red lights and stop signs. [CVC 21200]
PEDESTRIANS

Avoid Riding on Sidewalks

Each city in California has its own rules about riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. Some cities allow sidewalk riding, some don’t. Check with your city’s municipal code. CVC 21206
Sidewalk riding is a violation of the municipal code in Santa Monica 3.12.540
For an alphabetical list of cities in L.A. County, click here!

Yield to Pedestrians

Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks (marked or unmarked) and on sidewalks. Bicyclists are also required to “exercise due care” for the safety of pedestrians in the roadway who are not in a crosswalk. [CVC 21950, CVC 21952, CVC 21954]

BIKING ON THE ROAD

Ride to the Right, But Within Limits

When riding slower than the normal speed of traffic, you are required to ride as far right as “practicable” (meaning safe). You are not required to ride as far right as possible, which may not be safe. You are allowed, but not required, to ride on the shoulder. [CVC 21202, CVC 21650, CVC 21650.1]

Take the Lane

If a travel lane is too narrow to safely share side by side with a motor vehicle, you can prevent unsafe passing by riding near the center of the lane. On two-lane roads where it’s illegal or unsafe to pass, you must turn off the roadway at a designated or safe location to allow a line of 5 or more vehicles behind you to pass. [CVC 21202 (a)(3), CVC 21656]
CARS

Ride With Traffic, Not Against It

You must ride on the right half of the roadway, with the flow of traffic. [CVC 21650 Exception: you can ride on either the left or right side of one-way streets.]

Look and Yield Before You Go

You must yield to traffic before entering the roadway. [CVC 21804]

Ride Outside the Door Zone

It’s the responsibility of motor vehicle drivers to make sure it’s clear before opening a door. Despite this, a practical guide is to ride at least 3 feet from parked cars. [CVC 22517]

MOVING TO THE LEFT

Pass Motor Vehicles and Other Bicycles on the Left

You can move left when passing a vehicle or another bicycle traveling in the same direction. [CVC 21202 (a)(1)]

You Can Turn Left Like a Car

You can turn left from the left turn lane. You cannot turn left from the right side of the roadway. [CVC 21202 (a)(2) CVC 22100, CVC 22107]

Move Left to Avoid Hazards

You can move left to avoid hazards like fixed or moving objects, bad surface conditions, animals, glass, etc. [CVC 21202 (a)(3)]

Move Left to Avoid Intersection Conflicts

You can move left wherever a right or left turning vehicle might cross your path. [CVC 21202 (a)(4)]

SBBC+ Offers the Following Programs

SBBC+ Education programs offered are in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coalition,

Safe Routes to Schools, LAUSD,  Streets are for Everyone (SAFE), and the SAFE-Moves organization

 

Programs sponsored by Beach Cities Health District & others wonderful organizations ……

Youth:

  • Elementary schools (Pre-K thru 5), teach the traditional on-campus Bike/Pedestrian/ Scooter safety classes.
  • Middle and High Schools, work with PE and teaching staff to teach e-bike/Bike/Ped safety education classes (or hybrid of A & B).
  • Bike/Ped Rodeos/Safety Fairs, that might be sponsored by South Bay Cities, Police Depts, PTAs, Clubs, etc.
  • Work with SAFE to deploy a South Bay High School PSA Video Award Program.

Youth/Adult:

  • Enforcement programs, where we work with local Police Departments and schools to offer Traffic School classes for people that received a citation while riding a bicycle (eBikes included).
  • Provide an Education HUB for bicyclists resources for all ages.
  • South Bay LA Metro BEST Education Classes (18 years & older)

[Note:  PDF version of available programs]