Bakersfield maintains a growing bicycle network including the Kern River Parkway Bike Path and Class II striped lanes on major corridors, governed by California Vehicle Code rules and Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 39 traffic provisions.
The Kern River Parkway Bike Path runs roughly 30 miles along the river, providing the regions premier off-street facility. On-street Class II bike lanes appear on streets including Truxtun Avenue and Stockdale Highway. California Vehicle Code 21202 requires bicyclists to ride as far right as practicable and obey traffic signals. BMC Chapter 39 prohibits bicycling on most downtown sidewalks but allows it elsewhere. Helmets are required for riders under 18 statewide. Motorists must give three feet of passing distance under CVC 21760.
Bicycle traffic violations are typically infractions with fines from 50 to 250 dollars. Sidewalk riding in prohibited downtown areas brings citation by Bakersfield Police.
See how Bakersfield's bike lane rules rules stack up against other locations.
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