Kern County, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Kern County Code § 13.04.061
- Prohibited on paths
- Horses, other animals, motor vehicles
- Exemption
- Disability mobility devices
- Exemption
- County employees, peace officers on duty
- Classification
- Infraction plus Ch. 8.54 penalty
Summary
Kern County bars riding a horse or other animal, and operating any motor vehicle, on a designated pedestrian/bicycle path inside county-owned or county-operated parks and recreation areas. The rule protects cyclists and walkers on shared park paths, with narrow exceptions for mobility devices and on-duty county staff.
A.No person shall ride a horse or other animal, or operate a motor vehicle, on a designated pedestrian/bicycle path within any public park area or recreation area owned, maintained or operated by the county.B.As used in subsection (A), the term "motor vehicle" shall mean any vehicle which is self-propelled; provided, however, that "motor vehicle" shall not include a self-propelled wheelchair, invalid tricycle, or motorized quadricycle when operated by a person who, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 59 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
061 provides that no person shall ride a horse or other animal, or operate a motor vehicle, on a designated pedestrian/bicycle path within any public park or recreation area owned, maintained, or operated by the county. The section defines "motor vehicle" broadly as any self-propelled vehicle, but expressly carves out a self-propelled wheelchair, invalid tricycle, or motorized quadricycle used by a person who cannot otherwise move as a pedestrian because of a physical disability. County employees and peace officers using animals or motor vehicles in the course of their official duties are also exempt, which lets park rangers patrol on horseback or in county vehicles without violating the same rule that applies to the public.
063, which separately bars operating or leaving standing any off-road vehicle, including snowmobiles, dune buggies, and all-terrain vehicles, within a county park except a snowmobile on an officially designated trail. Together the two sections keep county-maintained pedestrian/bicycle paths reserved for foot and bicycle traffic and keep motorized and animal traffic off those paths entirely, rather than setting a speed limit or shared-use standard for cyclists themselves.
Violations & Fines
Riding a horse, other animal, or operating a motor vehicle on a designated pedestrian/bicycle path in a Kern County park is an infraction under Section 13.04.061(D). A violator is also subject to a separate administrative penalty under Chapter 8.54 of the county code, meaning county park rangers can issue both a criminal infraction citation and a civil administrative fine for the same violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride my horse on a bike path in a Kern County park?
Are wheelchairs allowed on county park bicycle paths?
What happens if I get caught driving a car on a park bike path?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California mobility & curb rules overview
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