San Jose, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Yield entering bike lane
- Required from alley/driveway/building
- Sidewalk riding
- Banned in designated areas
- Obstruction exception
- Sidewalk allowed if bike lane blocked
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
- Fourth offense in a year
- Becomes a misdemeanor
Summary
San Jose bicyclists entering a bike lane from an alley, driveway or building must yield to bikes already in the lane. Riding on sidewalks is separately banned in any city-designated area, with a carve-out when the adjacent bike lane is obstructed.
The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering a bicycle lane, shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles approaching on said lane, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said roadway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
SJMC § 11.72.170 requires a bicyclist emerging from an alley, driveway or building to yield right-of-way: to pedestrians before crossing a sidewalk, to bicycles already in a bike lane before entering it, and to vehicles before entering the roadway. Separately, § 11.72.190 bans riding a bicycle on any sidewalk within a city-designated area, but § 11.72.200(D) lifts that ban wherever the bike lane next to the sidewalk is obstructed. Both § 11.72.170 and § 11.72.190 are listed as citable infractions under § 1.08.020.
Violations & Fines
Violating either section is an infraction under SJMC § 1.08.020: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, $500 for a third, and a misdemeanor charge for a fourth offense within one year (§ 1.08.010).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride on the sidewalk if the bike lane is blocked?
What happens if I don't yield entering a bike lane from a driveway?
Where exactly is sidewalk bicycle riding prohibited?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California mobility & curb rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Bike Lane Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle bike lane rules.