California is paradise for motorcycle riders. Gorgeous scenery, consistently perfect weather and a sprawling sense of openness all make each ride an almost-magical experience.
The state of California wants you to be able to enjoy these rides for many decades to come, so they have established laws to prevent motorcycle accidents or driving habits that generally make the roads less safe. Here are the most important California motorcycle laws to make note of when you are a newcomer to the state:
Yes, You Can Lane Split in California
California allows motorcyclists to briefly share a lane with another vehicle for the purposes of passing as long as this maneuver — commonly known as “lane splitting” — is done in a safe and controlled manner.
Our state has long tolerated this practice before it became a formal part of the law. But last August, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 51 into law, making the state the first in the country to formally legalize and regulate lane splitting.
So what is “safe and controlled” lane splitting?
- Traffic must be moving slowly — 30 mph or less
- Your bike must not be travelling more than 10 mph faster than vehicles you intend to overtake; that means if traffic is stopped, you shouldn’t exceed 10 mph
- The California Highway Patrol advocates lane splitting in the two furthest-left lanes (the ones closest to the medians)
- Maintain constant awareness as you slip between vehicles when passing; many motorists may not see you approaching and could make sudden lane shifts
- Note that it is illegal for vehicles to purposefully obstruct or strike lane-splitting motorcyclists
You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in California
Sorry, outlaws, you’re going to have to cover your dome in this state.
According to California Vehicle Code, Division 12, Chapter 5, Article 7, Section 27803, every motorcycle operator and passenger must wear a safety helmet. The helmet must comply with federal safety standards, meaning it needs an official DOT endorsement sticker to be considered adequate.
California Has No Motorcycle Passenger Age Limit
There is no law on the books in California stating that motorcycle passengers have to meet a certain minimum age. However, the law does state that all passengers should ride upon “seat securely fastened to the machine at the rear of the driver and (be) provided with footrests” and that “every passenger…shall keep his feet on the footrests while such vehicle is in motion.”
For some younger children, you may need special bolt-on modifications to let their feet sit at the proper height the entire ride. Also, you should make sure that any passenger understands the need for safe riding and how to lean as a team.
Keep Your Mufflers on and Your Handlebars Low
Back into 2010, our esteemed Governator signed the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act into law. This law mandates that all aftermarket motorcycle exhausts meet EPA approval, which means that all “straight pipe” exhausts and other similar systems systems can get you a ticket. Older motorcycles from 2012 and beyond that have aftermarket systems purchased before Jan. 1, 2013 are not affected by the law.
Another restriction on modifications forbids any handlebars that cause the driver’s hands to rest more than six inches above their shoulder height when sitting in riding position.
Final Guidelines, and When You Should Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
California requires that all motorcycles built and registered from Jan. 1, 1973 and forward have working turn signals and at least one rearview mirror.
As a final note, know your legal rights when it comes to someone causing an accident with you that leads to injury. If you can prove that the driver was at fault through negligence or similar means, you would be entitled to compensation for your injury as well as other forms of restitution.
Make sure to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer if you have been injured. You can receive a free consultation from Gruber Law Group when you get in touch with us today using the number you see above or by completing the quick contact form below.
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