The Complicated Reality of Bicycle Sidewalk Laws in the Los Angeles Metro
The City of Los Angeles allows riders to use the sidewalk if they ride with regard “for the safety of persons or property.”
But there are over 80 municipalities in LA county, and a single bike ride can easily include two or more.
Sidewalk cycling laws vary from city to city within LA county, and even within districts in a given municipality. For example:
Knowing the Law of the Land is your Responsibility
With so many local ordinances, county laws, and city regulations it is important for a cyclist to know what she or he is up against. To help keep cyclists informed, we have created an interactive map of the sidewalk cycling laws throughout Los Angeles County
Sidewalk Cycling:
Allowed
Not Allowed in Business Districts
Not Allowed
No Clear Language
There are also numerous municipalities in Los Angeles County that allow people to ride bicycles on the sidewalk in certain circumstances, and not in others (such as in “business districts” and / or “commercial areas”.)
What Defines a Business District?
Generally, a business district is defined in the California Vehicle Code section 204 by the type of buildings that have access to the street in question, such as:
However, municipalities are free to modify this definition or define business districts as they see fit.
For instance, while Beverly Hills generally follows this way of designating a business district, Culver City includes the sidewalks around schools, rec centers, and playgrounds in what it designates as bicycle-free zones. Not near any of the specifically designated buildings in Culver City? Then you’re free to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk—but only if you deliver “audible signal” to pedestrians you intend to pass and only pass them on the left.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
Because the laws and regulations concerning riding your bicycle on the sidewalk in Los Angeles County are complicated, and the financial impact of being involved in a bicycle accident in LA (even if you’re not 100% at fault) can be overwhelming, if you’ve been involved in an an accident, you may need the help of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who focuses on bike accidents to help you navigate the financial recovery process and fight for a fair insurance settlement or take your case to court if need be.
Get a FREE, no-risk evaluation of your case online NOW to see if we can help.
Agoura Hills
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 3206
Alhambra
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.04.020
Arcadia
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 3320
Artesia
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 4.4.101
Avalon
Municipal code (no clear language)
Azusa
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 74.83
Baldwin Park
Municipal code (no clear language)
Bell
Municipal code 10.12.050 (no clear language)
Bell Gardens
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 13.04.030
Bellflower
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 12.28.050
Beverly Hills
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 5.5.8/5.6.801
Bradbury
Municipal code (no clear language)
Burbank
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 6.1.2801A
Calabasas
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code (no clear language)
Carson
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 3244.2
Cerritos
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.02.010
Claremont
Municipal code 10.36.030 (No clear language)
Commerce
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 10.36.080/10.36.090
Compton
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 7.24.2
Covina
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.52.002
Cudahy
Municipal code (no clear language)
Culver City
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 7.04.250
Diamond Bar
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.12.050
Downey
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 3142
Duarte
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 11.04.010
El Monte
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.28.030
El Segundo
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 8.4.12
Gardena
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.48.100
Glendale
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.64.025
Glendora
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 10.17.040
Hawaiian Gardens
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 12.08.080
Hawthorne
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.60.010
Hermosa Beach
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.12.170
Hidden Hills
Municipal code (no clear language)
Huntington Park
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 4.7.807.1
City of Industry
Municipal code 10.52.020 (No clear language)
Inglewood
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.22
Irwindale
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.52.090
La Canada Flintridge
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 4.04.010
La Habra Heights
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 4.14.20
La Mirada
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 10.25.060
La Puente
Municipal code (no clear language)
La Verne
Municipal code (no clear language)
Lakewood
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3285
Lancaster
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.04.090
Lawndale
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.10.090
Lomita
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 3.15.06/3.15.08
Long Beach
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.48.070
City of Los Angeles
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 56.15
Los Angeles County
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 15.76.080
Lynwood
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.3.7b
Malibu
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.04.010
Manhattan Beach
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.1.100
Maywood
Municipal code (no clear language)
Monrovia
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 10.36.020
Montebello
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.64.040
Monterey Park
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.60.070
Norwalk
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.04.010
Palmdale
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.04.010
Palos Verdes Estates
Municipal code (no clear language)
Paramount
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Pasadena
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 10.60.140
Pico Rivera
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.72.010
Pomona
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 58.602
Rancho Palos Verdes
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.04.010
Redondo Beach
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 3.1.04
Rolling Hills
Municipal code (no sidewalks)
Rolling Hills Estates
Municipal code (no sidewalks)
Rosemead
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.04.010
San Dimas
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 10.18.020
San Fernando
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 90-777
San Gabriel
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 71.03
San Marino
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 13.01.03
Santa Clarita
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 12.96.010
Santa Fe Springs
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 73.03
Santa Monica
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.12.540
Sierra Madre
Municipal code (no clear language)
Signal Hill
Municipal code (no clear language)
South El Monte
(No municipal code)
South Gate
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 8.10.020
South Pasadena
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 7.12
Temple City
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.3B.14
Torrance
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed in business districts.
Municipal code 62.1.4
Vernon
Municipal code (no clear language)
Walnut
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.16.1
West Covina
Municipal code (no clear language)
West Hollywood
Bicycling on the sidewalk is allowed.
Municipal code 15.53.010
Westlake Village
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 3.2.005
Whittier
Bicycling on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Municipal code 10.52.040)
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